Fingerprint access control

	The JPC1000 from Jiris provides high-quality images with the use of a CMOS sensor. The product meets military specifications and has dimensions of 35x50x48mm.

Fingerprint security systems will continue to dominate the line in South Korea, but iris recognition is expected to catch up.

Majority of access control products used in South Korea today are RFID and keypad types, but most of the latest releases combine the RFID card reader with biometric (fingerprint, iris, vein or face) recognition.

The keypad, while a basic feature, has already been omitted in some newer offerings. In contrast, the biometric features of a security system are becoming more significant in distinguishing the high-end from the midrange and low-end product.

Fingerprint recognition is the dominant biometric technology. Its 2008 sales will reach $125.1 million, Korea Biometrics Association (KBA) estimates reveal. The figure makes up 86 percent of the total domestic biometrics market. Face recognition takes second place with 7 percent, with iris and vein recognition technologies accounting for the remaining 4 percent and 2 percent of market share, respectively.

Despite fingerprint recognition technology’s overwhelming hold on the market, the other three segments are expected to report a better growth rate in the next two years.

The KBA estimates that iris recognition would show the largest average gain of 31 percent annually from 2008 to 2010. Vein recognition technology is expected to post a 28 percent boost, followed by face recognition (26 percent) and fingerprint recognition (19 percent).

The region’s overall biometric recognition market is estimated to reach $145.3 million in 2008 and $175.97 million in 2009, with an annual growth of 20 percent till 2010.

The KBA’s rosy forecast reflects the outlook of both experts and players alike—that biometric access control systems are headed for a bigger market in 2009. Precipitating this growth is the lower maintenance costs that makers absorb, compared to traditional RFID-type access control products.

Another key factor cited is the improved accuracy of recognition technology, a factor that is sure to see more secure, reliable models to be introduced in the coming year.

In the coming year, higher recognition speeds are expected to be introduced in fingerprint access controls. The capability to read 3,000 matches per second found in current high-end models will be improved to 5,000 matches a second. Today, iris recognition technology offers the lowest FAR and FRR. However, the high price relative to its access control rivals remains as the system’s biggest barrier.

One company, Jiris Co. Ltd, addresses this issue with model JPC1000, which costs only a tenth of the average price of global players’ iris recognition products. The JPC1000 provides high-quality images with the use of a CMOS sensor based on proprietary Jiris algorithm. The product meets military specifications, having undergone testing by the US Army for two years.

Products that use hand vein technology are considered to be just as accurate as iris recognition systems. However, vein access control consumes huge amounts of power because it needs a strong light to read veins. Another possible drawback is the large space needed to install the often bulky device.

Face recognition access control systems, on the other hand, can identify subjects in a passive way, and so is also a popular choice despite being considered as scoring lowest in accuracy among all biometric technologies. The technology is able to capture and recognize facial features even without the subject being aware of it. This is a useful tool for law enforcement authorities, airport personnel and other security organizations in the detection of criminals or suspects.

To decrease FAR and FRR of facial access controls, the FaceKey XL500 from Korea Identification Inc. features IR that enhances its recognition ability, especially in low-light conditions. In addition, the model has correcting function of darkness contrast to offer clearer images, improving the matching algorithm between the camera and actual face images.

Because every biometrics technology has its own merit and particular features, Young S. Moon, vice-president of Suprema Inc., said the viability and importance of each is enhanced when applied to its own set of access control fields. For instance, fingerprint recognition is the technology of choice for the commercial market. Iris recognition access control matches high-security installations, properties and assets, such as military buildings, government agencies, high-technology research centers, etc. Face recognition models are welcome in ferreting out criminals by virtue of its passive recognizing capability.

	Suprema has launched the waterproof, weatherproof BioLite Solo fingerprint access control system especially for outdoor use. It operates without PC connection.

There have also been efforts to improve the non-biometric features of access control systems. One of the upcoming features of high-end access control products is an RFID frequency coverage of up to 1m at 13.56MHz. The mainstream frequency for current models is 125kHz. Plans are underway to launch models that support two different RFID frequencies simultaneously.

The color TFT LCD, which was a special feature of high-end access control systems in 2008, is appearing in more and more new models. Against traditional b/w screens, this display is poised to become mainstream by next year.

No matter how advanced the technology embedded, all such products have until recently been mere hardware terminal devices used to log entry/exit and check time and attendance records. Today, there has been some movement to integrate the product into an end-to-end security system solution. Suprema is one company that is taking on this trend. The maker has been developing fingerprint access control products that can be bundled into an integrated system. These will have terminals that support IP networking, and so would not require designating extra network lines, reducing installation and maintenance costs. Suprema plans to release the product by yearend.

The company considers government and public facilities as promising application fields for access control systems. It is branchng out its business targets to encompass such related fields as electronic passports, national ID cards and fingerprint immigration checkpoints. One of its latest products is the waterproof, weatherproof BioLite Solo fingerprint access control system that operates without a PC connection. It also has the BioStations HID/Mifare fingerprint time attendance and access control system with 2.5in color LCD, Wi-Fi , USB slot and 16-bit audio for voice instructions, background music and sound effects.