Nothing to fear: Biometric applications are everywhere

Feb 1, 2001 12:00 PM, Rob Weber

As the need for digital security continues to grow, so will the opportunities for biometric solutions. Here are a few among the many potential applications:

• The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service uses face recognition to allow quick reentry of U.S. residents who work in Mexico and fingerprint identification to check immigration applicants for previous criminal records.

• Spain's Ministry of Labor and Social Security uses a fingerprint system for social security identification. Smart cards are used to store an individual's information about employment, benefits, health care, and insurance with a person's fingerprint data on the card. The fingerprint is verified through the card reader.

• In point-of-sale terminals, MasterCard is testing the use of fingerprint systems for credit card security, while Kroger uses face recognition in check-cashing machines and fingerprint identification to identify its shoppers.

• ATM successes include Diebold's use of face recognition and voice technologies to verify users of its ATMs, and Purdue University is testing an ATM that uses fingerprint identification.

• In the area of computer access, Oracle uses a fingerprint system for database software security.

• Western Bank uses a fingerprint system to secure access to the bank's computer system.

• Compaq now offers a fingerprint system for its computers for less than $100.

Access control is one of the biggest successes for biometrics. Here are some examples:

• Hospitals use fingerprint identification for patient tracking and for access to secure areas.

• A Malaysian company uses face recognition to verify that a passenger boards a plane before his/her luggage is loaded to prevent terrorism.

• Disney uses hand-scanning machines to verify yearly pass access.

• MasterCard uses fingerprint scanning to allow access to its headquarter building.

• To monitor employees, Coca-Cola substitutes hand-scanning machines for timecards.

• More than 500 Woolworth stores in Australia use fingerprint recognition for employee access control and to track employees' time.

• In law-enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and numerous police departments around the world use AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems).

Biometric solutions have been used in many applications for some time, and as advances in technology help reduce costs, they are rapidly gaining force in e-commerce. For instance, Identix, a provider of user authentication, security and identification solutions based on fingerprint scans, recently announced the first installation of BioLogon at an Internet Café to secure customer Internet access and usage.

CyberHouse in Bergen, Norway, opened in August 2000 with BioLogon installed throughout its network to enroll café visitors with their credit information, for easy, secure Internet access without passwords. BioLogon is a fifth-generation software product from Identix designed to secure IT applications with fingerprint authentication data. BioLogon extends user and administrative security over applications, files, buttons, features, encryption options for documents and email, and network accesses.

How do biometric systems work?

Most biometric imaging systems have the basic configuration shown in the diagram above. This article concentrates on the imager portion, which includes an illuminator, optics and image capture electronics. The key to a secure biometric reader is the ability to integrate the encryption processor and the imager. This will help prevent the image from being snooped before it is encrypted allowing the end user to remain the only person to possess the data.

The illumination source should field in order to produce a valid image. A typical multi-LED illuminator lamp with an appropriate diffuser should be appropriate for this application, but this can be varied as part of the system design.

The input window will require special design. The underside of the window must be anti reflection coated to prevent the illumination source from “drowning” the input image on the same optical path. This side of the window may be flat or convex, as the best solution still must be worked out as part of the system design. It is envisioned that a plastic molding using an anti-scratch compound will be the best system for this application.

A fingerprint on a chip

The Identix DFR 300 fingerprint identification reader, which uses digital image-capture technology from Motorola, is a small, light and inexpensive optical reader. Fingerprint identification technology is expected to redefine the face of simple functions by rendering passwords and PINs obsolete for activities such as unlocking a car, logging on to a computer, making transactions online or operating a cellular phone. And, Motorola has integrated the fingerprint-recognition system on a single chip, enabling biometric companies to meet their size and cost goals.

What the Future Holds

“In 1999, the total value of the biometric market reached $250 million, with more than 400,000 units sold. This market is expected to grow to 10 million units in the year 2001 and 100 million units in 2003 — when there's likely to be a fingerprint scanner on every computer, cellular phone — necessary technology for secure e-commerce transactions.”

In 1999, the total value of the biometric market reached $250 million, with more than 400,000 units sold. This market is expected to grow to 10 million units in the year 2001 and 100 million units in 2003 — when there's likely to be a fingerprint scanner on every computer, cellular phone — necessary technology for secure ecommerce transactions.

Soon, one finger will become the most powerful utensil since the mouse first clicked 20 years ago, creating ease in our lives that is more personal, more powerful, and more secure.

Rob Weber is director of market development for Motorola Imaging and Entertainment Solutions.

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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

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