According to LG, the identification process “operates perfectly with eyeglasses and contact lenses from a distance of 3-to-10 inches.”

The company said its research indicates that the biometrics market will grow to $1.8 billion by 2004, including “an annual growth rate of 61 percent.” It further noted that “vertical industries including banking, healthcare and government agencies are increasingly turning to iris scanners, voice recognition software and fingerprint scanners as simple, cost-effective means of securing networks and improving accountability for information and facility access.”

“Iris Access 3000,” to be sold globally via distributors, is comprised of several components, the company noted.

An Enrollment Optical Unitplaced on a desk or table adjacent to the servercontains all the elements to initiate the enrollment process by illuminating the iris and acquiring an image.

A Remote Optical Unit provides voice message and light indication to inform the user on recognition status.

An Identification Control Unit creates an iris code from the input iris image and compares this code with “pre-memorized” iris records. If a match is found, this unit allows access.

A Door Interface Board checks and controls the releasing and locking of a door that is being secured by the system.

The Super Server is an enrollment, monitoring and management station, said LG. These roles can be performed using a single PC, as well as via separate PCs.

Pricing information was not provided. Further information is available at www.lgusa.com.

Meanwhile, BioPay, LLC, based in Herndon, Va., announced “BioPay 4.0,” a software program that uses fingerprint identification to eliminate check transaction fraud. The company claims it has compiled the nations largest non-governmental electronic fingerprint database.

BioPay said the new software uses biometric technology to capture a customers fingerprint, store a template of the fingerprint image, then record check cashing or check purchasing transactions associated with that person.

“Refined alert mechanisms” warn of a potential bad check before the transaction is completed, the company asserted, enabling the transaction to be declined before it is processed, “saving the company money it may otherwise have lost.”

According to the company, the softwares imaging functionality enables business managers to store multiple “looks” and “views” of checks for extended periods of time, “offering historical data on customers transactions.”

In addition, “newly integrated fee processing and reporting methods enable employees to spend less time compiling data and completing transactions,” the company said.

“There is an overwhelming demand by retailers and banks to deploy technology that eliminates fraud and reduced write-offs,” said Tim Robinson, president of BioPay. “Businesses want a comfort level before completing a transaction they want to know they are going to get their money.”

On first presenting a check, a customer gives the merchant or bank teller his or her drivers license or other ID, which is scanned into the BioPay database, the company explained. At the same time, the customers two index fingers are scanned and an electronic photo of the customer is taken.

“The entire process takes about two minutes, and all information is stored within the BioPay system,” said BioPay. “A repeat customer need only use their fingerprint to complete future transactions.”

Pricing was not announced. Further information on the software and associated hardware is available at www.biopay.com.

In security hardware news, AuthenTec Inc., based in Melbourne, Fla., announced its new “EntrePad AES3500,” a fingerprint sensor designed for use in the mobile PC, wireless and PDA markets.

“With a sensor array only 6.5mm x 6.5mm square, the EntrePad is by far the smallest touch-and-go biometric device available today,” said a company news release. “Its small size and low power operation meets the requirements for small, battery-operated consumer devices.” The sensor can be used with laptop computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants and other handheld electronic devices, said AuthenTec.

According to AuthenTec, the EntrePad AES3500 allows fingerprints to be read below the surface of the skin, “thereby eliminating any acquisition or recognition failures relating to contamination such as dirt, grime, dry skin or excessive moistureissues that are problematic with surface imaging fingerprint sensors.”

The new device is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows 98, ME, NT version 4.0, 2000, XP and Symbian, the company said. Future plans call for Palm OS and Windows CE compatibility.

In a related development, Synaptics Inc. and AuthenTec Inc. announced an agreement whereby Synaptics will develop an integrated touchpad/fingerprint module for its customers using AuthenTecs technology.

According to San Jose, Calif.-based Synaptics, the module will combine AuthenTecs “AES3500 EntrePad” fingerprint sensor with the Synaptics TouchPad on a single module with a universal serial bus connection. Synaptics will market the integrated module to original equipment manufacturers of notebook computers and “other consumer applications that require a robust and reliable security and interface solution.”

Pricing for the products was not announced. Further information is available at www.authentec.com and www.synaptics.com.

Reproduced from National Underwriter Property & Casualty/Risk & Benefits Management Edition, December 3, 2001. Copyright 2001 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.

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