MEDION and AuthenTec have [613977]

4NEWS
PRODUCT NEWS
 MEDION and AuthenTec have
announced the availability of a fin-gerprint-enabled Personal Navigation Device (PND). MEDION’s new GoPal
P4425 PND utilizes AuthenTec’s
AES1510 slide fingerprint sensor for
user identification, ensuring that only authorised users can activate the device. The company’s GoPal software offers the possibility to save five different user fingerprints to the device. MEDION claims to be the world’s first GPS sys-tem manufacturer to offer fingerprint technology that would render the GPS device unusable if stolen.
 Bioscrypt has chosen to integrate
SecuGen ’s fingerprint sensor into its V-
Station (Optical) reader. The V-Station (Optical) can be used for dual- or multi-factor authentication by supporting fingerprint biometric verification and personal identification numbers, proxim-ity cards, tokens and smart cards. The SecuGen sensor has a scratch-resistant finger platen and patented optic design that reduces distortion and increases image contrast.
 Biometrika ’s HiScan fingerprint scanner
has been certified by the FBI according to PIV Image Quality Specifications. HiScan has been specifically designed for government and forensic applica-tions and for all applications where a large sensing area and high image qual-ity are required. The scanner is available both in DESK and OEM and supports the Windows Operating system and Linux.
 A new secure biometric handheld pay-
ment device has been added to Trijay
Technologies International ’s (TTI)
line of Mobile ID devices. The IPT300
is powered by an Intel PXA270 proces-sor and Windows Mobile with features including a contact card slot, magnetic stripe reader, Wireless LAN, infrared, bluetooth, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, SD card slot and SAM (Secure Access Module) and SIM slots, MiFARE reader, finger-print reader, barcode reader, and charg-ing cradle. Production of the IPT300 is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2008.Fidelica says it offers a host of support tools
such as a card development kit (CDK) and enrollment software. In addition to smart cards, Fidelica is also developing biometric security platforms for PCs, laptops, and mobile applica-tions such as cell phones and PDAs, for release in 2008. Allen also told Btt that his copany is
looking at developing a proximity card with similar capabilities.
Contact: Robert Allen of Fidelica Microsystems,
Tel: +1 408 941 2290, email: [anonimizat] control
Compromise allows
new EU members to join Schengen
Following a compromise deal,
European Union interior ministers
have approved the enlargement of the Schengen area as of 21 December 2007. Additions to the Schengen area include Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Malta.
Other new EU members Romania and
Bulgaria are yet to meet necessary require-ments and are unlikely to join before 2011, and Cyprus asked for a postponement with a likely start date of 2009.
From 21 December passport checks between
the new and existing Schengen countries will be performed only at international airports, although even these will be cancelled by 29 March 2008 at the latest.
Currently the Schengen area includes 13
EU states plus two countries outside the EU – Norway and Iceland. The UK and Ireland have opted out of the Schengen area agree-ment and participate only partially in police and judicial cooperation.
The agreement signed by ministers includes
provisions on common policy on the tempo-rary entry of persons (including the Schengen Visa), the harmonisation of external border controls, and cross-border police co-operation.
All Schengen countries contribute to the
system through their national databases in order to facilitate co-operation between police forces in the fight against terrorism, organised crime, illegal immigration and people smuggling.
The expansion had originally been sched-
uled for October 2007, but was delayed in light of problems with the preparation of the new biometric-based SIS II information data-base (a postponement until 2009 is likely). To get around this impasse, Portugal came up with a proposal for new EU members to adopt an updated version of SIS I called SISone4all.
* The Schengen Information System (SIS) is
a security database system operated by mem-bers of the Schengen zone. SIS I is the version of the system that has been in use since the inception of the Schengen zone in 1995. SIS I stores information on wanted and missing persons as well as on people who are barred
Biometric Technology Today January 2008What is a polymer
fingerprint sensor?
Fidelica Microsystems explains that its
fingerprint sensor is a high resolution, pressure-sensitive imaging device. The sensor comprises a sensitive membrane patterned with conductive leads and a base layer that senses when contact is made with those conductive leads.
The sensor is mechanical and inherently
binary in nature: When a fingerprint makes contact with the sensor surface, the sensitive membrane conforms to the fingerprint geometry, registering black pixels at ridges and white pixels at valleys.
The binary area-based fingerprint image
results in reduced computational overhead in fingerprint matching. Rather than 8 bits per pixel, as is standard for a grayscale device, the Fidelica fingerprint sensor generates only 1 bit per pixel, for a total image size of 8.0KB.
Fidelica’s sensor has 256 rows and 256
columns of resolution, and thus contains over 65 000 pixels. Although there are so many sensing elements, the high contrast, binary nature of the pressure sensing technique allows for use of a fully passive sensor array. That is, while other fingerprint sensors may rely on active elements, such as transistors, in the array, the Fidelica fingerprint sensor only needs passive elements to effectively image a fingerprint.
In keeping with the FBI’s 500dpi standard
for fingerprint imaging, sensor elements are placed at a 50 micron pitch, resulting in a 508dpi sensor. At a 256 x 256 resolution, the Fidelica sensor images an area of approximately 0.5” x 0.5.”
In total, the sensor is constructed of several
laminated films combined with two ASICs, which are used for driving, sensing, and multiplexing of the passive array. This results in a sensor that is at well below a half millimeter in height.
The sensor is, by nature of the polymer
films, flexible. It is fully compatible with ISO standards for bending and torsion in smart cards, the company claims.

5from entering the zone. It also contains data
on wanted cars, firearms, and stolen and lost documents.
SIS II is a more sophisticated version of the
system which features biometric data and extra information on stolen cars. SISone4all is a compromise system that was
proposed by Portugal when it became clear that the introduction of SIS II would be delayed. SISone4all is an updated version of SIS I which facilitates the connection of new member states before the eventual launch of SIS II.
IN BRIEF
 International multi-currency payment
and data processor Planet Payment has
announced its selection of PerSay to
deliver its voice authentication technolo-gy to be integrated with Planet Payment’s product suite for the banking, financial services and retail sectors. Customers who choose Shop BuyVoice will have the
option to register for the service online or over the phone, and will need to pro-vide an identifier and voiceprint, along with payment and delivery information, to conduct secure mobile shopping.
 International Biometric Group (IBG)
has been awarded a research grant by the US Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) to develop next-genera-
tion mobile biometric screening technol-ogy. The 6-month, US$100 000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant supports the development of interoperable, low-cost mobile bio-metric systems for use at terrorist inci-dents, natural disasters, or at locations remote from US borders. SBIR Phase I focuses on mobile biometric screen-ing device requirements and engineering design, while future phases encompass prototype development.
 Napier University in Edinburgh is revo-
lutionising the way undergraduate and postgraduate students submit course-work within the School of Computing by implementing a biometric system. The system, designed in conjunction with NCR Financial Solutions, uses advanced fingerprint technology. Student’s finger-prints are captured at the time course-work is handed in, creating a robust audit trail for the process. The system was installed at the start of the new term and will be evaluated over the course of the academic year. It is expected that it will reduce queuing and make the process quicker and easier for students.
 The US Army Fort Drum is now offer-
ing the RAPIDGate Program to non-military personnel who need routine access to its high security installations. The voluntary program combines identi-ty authentication, background screening, credentialing, and biometric verification to help improve security procedures and streamline access for qualified civilian personnel. Fort Drum is one of the larg-est employers in Northern New York, with over 15
000 military and 3600
civilian employees. 25–28 February 2008
Miami, Florida
The Winter 2008 Summit on Biometrics
A long-running conference looking at implementing
identity technologies in government and business.More information: Web: www.aliconferences.com
3 April 2008
Wellington, New Zealand
Biometrics Institute New Zealand Conference
New Zealand’s leading event for Biometrics focusing
on biometric technology updates, user case studies; privacy considerations, business cases for biometrics, vulnerability assessments, identity management and border control.More Information: www.biometricsinstitute.org
15–18 April 2008
Amsterdam Rai, The Netherlands
Passenger Terminal Expo 2008
This year’s conference will feature speakers repre-
senting every corner of the airport industry including aviation security, baggage management, check-in and personal rapid transit (PRT).More information: Janine Samler, conference
director: j.samler@ukintpress.com
22–23 April 2008
London, UK
Security Document World and Identity Loop 2008Two conferences under the same roof backed up
with a 60 stand exhibition. The two shows will
address all security document issues, such as ePass-
ports and ID cards, plus more diverse identity appli-
cations, such as registered traveler initiatives and
corporate identity solutions.
More information: Science Media Partners,
Tel: +44 2920 560458,
www.sciencemediapartners.com
13–15 May 2008
Orange County Convention Centre, Orlando, Florida
CardTech/SecurTech
Now into its 18th year, the popular CardTech/
SecurTech event will be in Florida. Once again, it will feature the latest news and innovation from the whole of the smart cards value chain. This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever, bringing in the insight and experience of the Smart Card Alliance.More information: Web: http://www.ctst.com/
CTST08/
29–30 May 2008
Sydney, Australia
Biometrics Institute Australia Conference
Australia’s leading event for biometrics focusing on
business cases for biometrics, identity management, privacy, technology updates, vulnerability assess-ments, and international experiencesMore Information: www.biometricsinstitute.orgEVENTS CALENDAR
January 2008 Biometric Technology TodayThe European Parliament’s Civil Liberties
Committee has given its go-ahead to a draft regulation requiring Member States in the Schengen area to take the facial image and ten fingerprints from visa applicants wishing to enter EU territory. However, MEPs voted for a number of exemptions for children and diplomats as well as for stricter data protection.
Under the committee’s first-reading
amendments, children below the age of 12 will be exempt from giving fingerprints. Children will also be allowed to send scanned photographs so they do not have to appear in person at the consulate.
In addition, Member States may allow
exceptions from the requirement of collecting photographs and fingerprints for
holders of diplomatic passports.
In order to avoid all Member States
having to install the necessary equipment for collecting biometrics in every consular office, the regulation allows Member States to cooperate with one or more EU countries in the creation of a joint centre in each country to deal with visa applications and the collection of biometrics.
For security and data protection
reasons, MEPs added several amendments to ensure that cooperation with external service providers in the collection of fingerprints and photos is used only “as a last resort”. Visa applicants entering Schengen
to give face and fingerprintsNEWS / EVENTS