Iris Recognition System is Selected for Border Control at Frankfurt/Main Airport by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior

Requiring an individual only to stand in front of it, the system recognizes that individual's iris pattern and confirms his/her identity, offering a simple, convenient alternative to traditional border checks. Byometric and Oki will provide the system through prime contractor Bosch Sicherheitssysteme GmbH. System trials are scheduled to begin on February 14.

"It must be guaranteed that the registered biometric characteristic can be matched absolutely correctly. The iris recognition is currently considered to be the most secure biometric system. Therefore we chose this for the Automated and Biometrics-supported Border Controls (ABG) initiative at the Frankfurt Airport," stated Otto Schily, the Federal Minister of the Interior, who presided over the official opening.

Iris recognition systems identify individuals based on iris pattern. The complexity and randomness of iris patterns make them more difficult to counterfeit than other biometric patterns, enabling the system to have a reliable verification function. The system delivered to the Frankfurt/Main Airport is based on IRISPASS®-WG, Oki's iris recognition system. While offering high-precision authentication, IRISPASS-WG retains ease-of-use. Individuals simply stand before the device; system cameras automatically capture images of the iris and verify identity within three seconds. These system characteristics are expected to improve the security at borders and significantly accelerate the speed of the border control process.

One of the biggest trials using iris recognition systems for airport identification, the ABG pilot program at the Frankfurt/Main Airport involves 17 EU nations and Switzerland. Frequent passengers of Deutsche Lufthansa AG who are interested in the program and reside in EU countries or Switzerland can register their iris data. Seven iris recognition systems in total were installed at the immigration and emigration control gates of the airport. First, passport data is captured by a passport scanner and checked against a database. The iris recognition system then identifies the individual's iris to verify a match between the individual and the legal passport holder.

The three companies, Byometric systems, Iridian Technologies and Oki, worked as partners in delivering the iris recognition system to Frankfurt/Main Airport. As Iridian is the core technology provider and patent holder for Iris recognition, Oki provided IRISPASS-WG equipment and basic software complying with the application interface based on the common criteria certified by KnoWho® Server of Iridian; Byometric designed and developed the iris recognition Software byoPort for the use with IRISPASS-WG.

"As the prime contractor for the pilot project, Bosch has been working closely with the three companies to introduce the iris recognition system at Frankfurt/Main Airport," said Alexander Lau, President and CEO at Byometric systems, which also acts as the European distributor for Oki's Iris recognition products. "The system makes it possible to provide both easy of use and reliable authentication, which will contribute to the efficiency and security of airport border checks."

"As a leading company in the field of iris recognition systems, we take great pride in the introduction of our IRISPASS-WG system at Frankfurt/Main Airport as a part of the largest international pilot project of its kind. I believe system characteristics such as stringent quality to ensure high security and ease-of-use will win high marks and satisfy the demands of international airports worldwide," said Takashi Hattori, President of Financial Solutions Company at Oki Electric.

Trials of the iris recognition system implemented at Frankfurt/Main Airport will begin on February 14, 2004. Full-scale service will follow an initial test phase of six months.

About IRISPASS-WG:

Notes:

• IRISPASS is a registered trademark of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. in Japan and the US.
• KnoWho is a registered trademark of Iridian Technologies, Inc.
• Names of companies and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.

About Iridian Technologies
Iridian Technologies, Inc. of Moorestown, NJ commercializes software for iris recognition - renowned as one of the most accurate biometric identifiers. The holder of US and international patents behind iris recognition technologies, Iridian offers unparalleled security for public-use applications such as simplified passenger travel, border control, national IDs, restricted access and information access solutions. Iridian's software leverages algorithms originally developed by Dr. John Daugman of Cambridge University. Iridian's Proof Positive hardware and software certification program assures that certified iris cameras and software solutions meet critical standards for performance, interoperability, safety, security, scalability, usability and reliability.
Iridian's KnoWho Server- platform is the first biometric software system to be evaluated and certified under the Common Criteria, and is compelling evidence that iris-enabled applications have gained mainstream market recognition.
For more information, visit www.iridiantech.com.

About Byometric systems GmbH
Byometric systems GmbH of Mitterfelden, Germany is a preferred licensed partner of Iridian Technologies, the patent holder for IRIS recognition. Byometric systems is also the distributor of Oki's Irisrecognition products to the European market. Byometric systems GmbH is distributing Iris Recognition products and develops individual solutions for physical- and information access control, such as byoPort, byoBoarding and byoRamp especially designed for the usage in airports.
Thus Byometric offers security- solutions based on Iris- recognition from "door to desktop".
For more information please visit www.byometric.com.

About Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
Founded more than a century ago in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer, with its headquarter in Tokyo, Japan. With the corporate vision, "Oki, Network Solutions for a Global Society," Oki Electric provides top-quality products, technologies and solutions to its customers through its telecommunications systems, information systems and electronic devices segments. All three segments are integrated into one effective organization that functions as a collective force to create exciting new products and technologies, including information and telecom converged solutions. Through its business activities, Oki Electric satisfies a spectrum of customer needs in various markets.