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NIST finds ageing does not affect iris systems and adds iris to PIV cards
NEWS The Department of Homeland Security has sparked concerns after it tested a crowdscanning system that identifies faces in crowds called the Biometric Optical Surveillance System (BOSS). In Ohio, US, Attorney General Mike DeWine faced demands to turn off the state’s new facial recognition software until new rules are in place to prevent its misuse.
research
NIST finds ageing does not affect iris systems and adds iris to PIV cards
A
geing of the human eye will not affect the performance of iris scanning biometric systems, according to the latest research from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This follows widespread concern that ageing could be a barrier to the efficiency of iris recognition systems. Using two large operational datasets, it found no evidence of a widespread iris ageing effect. It found iris measurements were constant over periods of up to nine years. This is consistent with the ability to enrol most individuals and see no degradation in overall recognition accuracy. NIST has also issued a publication that broadens agency security options for Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards. Biometric Data Specifications for Personal Identity Verification (Special Publication 800-76-2) adds iris images as biometric identifiers and on-card fingerprint comparison as options for the cards.
Human Recognition Systems (HRS) has integrated its advanced access control solution, MSite, with the UK Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). CSCS is a not-for-profit company. MSite will validate a CSCS card and upon its presentation and biometric authentication via a hand geometry template, the solution ensures only employees with the correct permissions and CSCS accreditations are granted site access.
soft biometrics
Soft biometrics back driving and gaming
S
oft biometrics typically capture biometrics to determine gender
or intent, rather than to identify and authenticate individuals. Recent developments focus on drivers and gamers. A new app can tell drivers when they are drowsy behind the wheel and prevent people from getting into road accidents, reports PSFK. Cafe Amazon in Thailand has developed an app that can monitor drivers for signs of sleepiness. When it detects signs, the app will direct the driver to the nearest cafe. In order to use the app, the phone or device needs to be mounted on a vehicle’s windshield with a clear view of the driver’s face to monitor head and eye motions for signs of drowsiness. Intel is looking for beta testers based in China and the US for its Pocket Avatars app for iOS and Android that harnesses facial recognition technology to let users send messages through 3D avatars. Users will need an iPhone 5, iPad 3, iPad 4, Galaxy S3 or S4 to participate. The app uses the camera on a smartphone or tablet to track facial expressions while the user talks and then maps them onto an avatar. The list of possible avatars includes cartoon characters, film or TV personalities, sports stars, musicians, team mascots, or family pets. Intel was recently reported to be considering implemented a camera equipped with facial recognition software into TVs to help personalise offerings for each user in a household. Extreme Reality, based in Herzelia, Israel, has patented software technology for enabling full-body, 3D motion control on any device via a standard 2D camera, reports Cnet. Unlike Microsoft’s Kinect gesture controller, which requires a special camera and sensor, Extreme Reality’s Motion software recognises and tracks the three dimensions of a user’s skeletal joints and then converts the joint movement into a continuous dynamic motion. Microsoft is reported to have announced it won’t require users of its upcoming Xbox One game console to connect its Kinect camera in order to play. Microsoft had said the Xbox One console would require users to connect the Kinect even if the camera was not needed at that time. Microsoft had also dropped a requirement that the Xbox One be connected to the internet at all times. ...Continued on page 12
EVENTS CALENDAR 15–17 October 2013 London, UK Biometrics Exhibition and Conference 2013 The conference runs from 15–17 October, while the exhibition runs from 16–17 October. Now in its fifteenth year, the annual Biometrics Show brings together biometric suppliers and users. More information: www.biometrics2013.com
5–7 November 2013 Frankfurt, Germany ID World International Congress The ID WORLD International Congress is a showcase on the evolving world of RFID, biometrics and smart card technologies, and is the only international forum that looks at the advanced ID industry as a whole, rather than focusing on a specific technology or vertical sector. More information: http://www.mesago.de/en/IDW/ home.htm
12–14 November 2013 Greater Boston, Massachusetts, US Technologies for Homeland Security The 13th annual IEEE conference on Technologies for Homeland Security will bring together innovators from leading academic, industry, business, Homeland Security Centers of Excellence, and government programmes to provide a forum to discuss ideas, concepts, and experimental results. Produced by IEEE with technical support from DHS S&T, IEEE Boston Section, IEEE Biometrics Council, and IEEE-USA and organisational support from MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Raytheon, Battelle, and MITRE, this year’s event will once again showcase selected technical paper and posters highlighting emerging technologies in the areas of cyber security, attack and disaster preparation, recovery, and response, land and maritime border security biometrics and forensics. More information: ieee-hst.org
13–14 November 2013 London, UK Transport Security Expo Transport Security Expo brings experts from government, military, law enforcement and security services face to face with the aviation, maritime and public transport industries, to assess the threat level, examine the countermeasures in place and, where necessary, recommend strategies to deal with these threats. More information: www.transec.com
19–21 November 2013 Paris, France Cartes 2013 Exhibition and Conference CARTES Secure Connexions Event 2013 is a comprehensive event including trade show, conferences and awards that is dedicated to the digital security and smart technology sector and its innovations. More information: www.cartes.com
3–4 December 2013 London, UK World BORDERPOL Congress The Borderpol Conference and Exhibition is aimed at those in the border protection, management or security industry and supply products or services to border agencies and security forces. More information: http://www.borderpol-event.org
3 September 2013
Biometric Technology Today
research
NIST finds ageing does not affect iris systems and adds iris to PIV cards
A
geing of the human eye will not affect the performance of iris scanning biometric systems, according to the latest research from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This follows widespread concern that ageing could be a barrier to the efficiency of iris recognition systems. Using two large operational datasets, it found no evidence of a widespread iris ageing effect. It found iris measurements were constant over periods of up to nine years. This is consistent with the ability to enrol most individuals and see no degradation in overall recognition accuracy. NIST has also issued a publication that broadens agency security options for Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards. Biometric Data Specifications for Personal Identity Verification (Special Publication 800-76-2) adds iris images as biometric identifiers and on-card fingerprint comparison as options for the cards.
Human Recognition Systems (HRS) has integrated its advanced access control solution, MSite, with the UK Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). CSCS is a not-for-profit company. MSite will validate a CSCS card and upon its presentation and biometric authentication via a hand geometry template, the solution ensures only employees with the correct permissions and CSCS accreditations are granted site access.
soft biometrics
Soft biometrics back driving and gaming
S
oft biometrics typically capture biometrics to determine gender
or intent, rather than to identify and authenticate individuals. Recent developments focus on drivers and gamers. A new app can tell drivers when they are drowsy behind the wheel and prevent people from getting into road accidents, reports PSFK. Cafe Amazon in Thailand has developed an app that can monitor drivers for signs of sleepiness. When it detects signs, the app will direct the driver to the nearest cafe. In order to use the app, the phone or device needs to be mounted on a vehicle’s windshield with a clear view of the driver’s face to monitor head and eye motions for signs of drowsiness. Intel is looking for beta testers based in China and the US for its Pocket Avatars app for iOS and Android that harnesses facial recognition technology to let users send messages through 3D avatars. Users will need an iPhone 5, iPad 3, iPad 4, Galaxy S3 or S4 to participate. The app uses the camera on a smartphone or tablet to track facial expressions while the user talks and then maps them onto an avatar. The list of possible avatars includes cartoon characters, film or TV personalities, sports stars, musicians, team mascots, or family pets. Intel was recently reported to be considering implemented a camera equipped with facial recognition software into TVs to help personalise offerings for each user in a household. Extreme Reality, based in Herzelia, Israel, has patented software technology for enabling full-body, 3D motion control on any device via a standard 2D camera, reports Cnet. Unlike Microsoft’s Kinect gesture controller, which requires a special camera and sensor, Extreme Reality’s Motion software recognises and tracks the three dimensions of a user’s skeletal joints and then converts the joint movement into a continuous dynamic motion. Microsoft is reported to have announced it won’t require users of its upcoming Xbox One game console to connect its Kinect camera in order to play. Microsoft had said the Xbox One console would require users to connect the Kinect even if the camera was not needed at that time. Microsoft had also dropped a requirement that the Xbox One be connected to the internet at all times. ...Continued on page 12
EVENTS CALENDAR 15–17 October 2013 London, UK Biometrics Exhibition and Conference 2013 The conference runs from 15–17 October, while the exhibition runs from 16–17 October. Now in its fifteenth year, the annual Biometrics Show brings together biometric suppliers and users. More information: www.biometrics2013.com
5–7 November 2013 Frankfurt, Germany ID World International Congress The ID WORLD International Congress is a showcase on the evolving world of RFID, biometrics and smart card technologies, and is the only international forum that looks at the advanced ID industry as a whole, rather than focusing on a specific technology or vertical sector. More information: http://www.mesago.de/en/IDW/ home.htm
12–14 November 2013 Greater Boston, Massachusetts, US Technologies for Homeland Security The 13th annual IEEE conference on Technologies for Homeland Security will bring together innovators from leading academic, industry, business, Homeland Security Centers of Excellence, and government programmes to provide a forum to discuss ideas, concepts, and experimental results. Produced by IEEE with technical support from DHS S&T, IEEE Boston Section, IEEE Biometrics Council, and IEEE-USA and organisational support from MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Raytheon, Battelle, and MITRE, this year’s event will once again showcase selected technical paper and posters highlighting emerging technologies in the areas of cyber security, attack and disaster preparation, recovery, and response, land and maritime border security biometrics and forensics. More information: ieee-hst.org
13–14 November 2013 London, UK Transport Security Expo Transport Security Expo brings experts from government, military, law enforcement and security services face to face with the aviation, maritime and public transport industries, to assess the threat level, examine the countermeasures in place and, where necessary, recommend strategies to deal with these threats. More information: www.transec.com
19–21 November 2013 Paris, France Cartes 2013 Exhibition and Conference CARTES Secure Connexions Event 2013 is a comprehensive event including trade show, conferences and awards that is dedicated to the digital security and smart technology sector and its innovations. More information: www.cartes.com
3–4 December 2013 London, UK World BORDERPOL Congress The Borderpol Conference and Exhibition is aimed at those in the border protection, management or security industry and supply products or services to border agencies and security forces. More information: http://www.borderpol-event.org
3 September 2013
Biometric Technology Today