fB

Can you please provide our readers with a brief background of the company?

IT

IriTech, Inc. is a U.S. corporation that specializes in iris identification technology. Since our founding in March 2000 we have striven to build on our core patents and be on the cutting edge of iris biometrics. As a result we have grown to be a world class leader in Iris Identification. Our iris identification algorithm is internationally patented in many countries including the United States and Europe. Our algorithm was recently tested with excellent results in the NIST Iris Challenge Evaluation. In addition, since our founding, we have been extremely active in biometric standards creation, specifically the iris standard format in ANSI and ISO.

fB

You provide algorithms and software development products for Iris Recognition. Can you review your Biometric product lineup?

IT

We offer both our proprietary iris identification algorithms and our iris identification cameras worldwide.
Through years of research and development we are confident that we have some of the most accurate and versatile iris identification algorithms. Our algorithm is based on our original patented "variable multi-sector method" based on non-circular segmentation. Using this method we achieve one of the highest accuracy marks in the industry. Besides accuracy, another strength of our algorithm is its versatility; even if the eye is occluded by eyelashes, contacts, reflection, or eyelid, we can still achieve very high accuracy. Our algorithm can also accurately match quite blurry images with minimal error.
Our algorithms are bundled with our software, IrisSDK. IrisSDK is designed for scalability and high performance--from a single stand-lone application, to large organizations' networks, to national border control applications involving huge databases. IrisSDK can be deployed on embedded systems, PCs, workstations, or server farms with diverse operating systems. It is compatible with embedded OS, WindowsTM, UNIX, or Linux. The modular design of our software enables developers, be they application developers or large scale systems integrators, to easily deploy the technology in a variety of business contexts.
In addition to our algorithms and software IriTech offers its own iris identification camera, the Neoris 2000. The NEORIS 2000 uses stereo camera technology to capture the iris and face images at the same time. For ease of use, it employs sophisticated face positioning technology and large focal depth. The NEORIS 2000 operating modes include registration, verification, and identification, and it can either be operated alone or be networked via LAN or Ethernet.
Though we offer the NEORIS 2000 camera system, our technology works very well with other iris identification cameras.

fB

IriTech and Lockheed Martin recently signed a cooperation agreement. How will this relationship work?

IT

The agreement gives us the opportunity to integrate our patented iris recognition algorithms with a variety of biometric systems and technologies. This will help us develop more powerful, open solutions to support a number of missions, customers and architectures.
This cooperation agreement is not an exclusive partnership for all markets. With such a respected system integrator as Lockheed Martin showing confidence in the quality of our technology it is our hope to build on this cooperation to create increased business opportunities with additional companies worldwide.

fB

You also recently announced that the company successfully completed the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) independent Iris Challenge Evaluation (ICE) 2006 with excellent results. Can you elaborate on this?

IT

Using a closed database, this evaluation measured the one to one accuracy of various iris identification algorithms. Out of eight participants, IriTech was one of only three entities (2 companies) able to complete this evaluation. ICE 2006 consisted of 29,056 right eye and 30,502 left eye iris images drawn from 240 subjects captured with an LG EOU 2200 camera. Our results with the NIST ICE tests grant strong independent third party validation to our core iris identification technology.
Our algorithm is improving continuously. For example, using a quad core CPU our match speed is now a blazingly fast 512,109 matches per second in normal operating mode. This speed jumps to an amazing 928,725 matches per second in fast operating mode.

fB

What do you see as the greatest challenge to the Biometric Industry today?

IT

I see several challenges. The first, for iris biometrics in particular, is the price of the biometric capture device. Traditionally iris identification cameras have simply been too large and too expensive for wide spread adoption compared to other biometrics like fingerprint and face recognition. This challenge is quickly being overcome, however, as camera technology is rapidly improving. Cameras are beginning to achieve high resolution at a small size for a reasonable price. Indeed, with such high resolution cameras it is now very possible to capture both iris biometric information and face biometric information at once, effectively combing iris and face identification. We are taking advantage of this new technology and plan to offer a small two mega-pixel CMOS camera module with USB interface very soon.
A second challenge is the creation of biometric standards. Standards need to be put in place that enable technology to be interoperable. Customer’s need to feel secure that they will not be bound to one proprietary technology and vendors need to feel the standards in place will not adversely affect their technology or ability to do business.

fB

Have you been active in the standards arena?

IT

We have taken an active role in the standards arena, trying to ensure both customers and vendors are satisfied. IriTech is a member of the INCITS M1 biometrics standards group and we have been working hard to ensure that the best iris biometric standards are put in place. We played an active role in the original creation of the ANSI and ISO/IEC 19794-6 iris biometric standards many years ago, and we continue to help refine these standards today. Indeed, we recently submitted a proposal to M1 detailing a new compact iris image format we call the "Unsegmented Polar Format". This format is similar to the previous international standard however all final segmentation of the iris and pupil is done by the vendor. In the current standard this segmentation is done by the format itself, potentially limiting vendor accuracy. Our format ensures that iris vendor matching accuracy is not limited by the standard while maintaining a small data size. Indeed, our "Unsegmented Polar Format" was chosen by the registered traveler program as the standard image format for storage on the registered traveler cards. In January I will be attending the SC 37 Working Group Meetings in Tel-Aviv, Israel to present this format to the international community. It is our hope that this format will become the international standard.

fB

As a global player, where are you seeing the greatest growth in the biometric space?

IT

We see biometrics, iris identification in particular, expanding rapidly into the mobile arena. Traditionally iris capture devices have been large and very expensive, making mobile identification impossible. Today this is not the case. Camera technology is advancing very rapidly, producing smaller and smaller cameras with higher resolution at a reasonable price. Mobile iris identification is now easier to achieve. With cheap mobile iris identification cameras it will be much easier for iris biometrics to expand into the commercial market. We are working on our own mobile iris camera module for integration into a variety of mobile systems. This camera module is small, cheap, and versatile and captures superior iris images for highest matching accuracy. In addition we expect to release a stand alone iris identification camera which incorporates this module. This device will be a two mega-pixel iris identification camera, which connects via USB interface and comes bundled with IriTech software. We expect this module, which is capable of enrollment, verification, and identification, to be ready for release by June 2008. Due to its small size and low price, the prospective applications for this device are many and include online authentication, financial payment security, smart card security, and the National I.D. project.

fB

Has this been a good year for the company?

IT

2007 has been an excellent year for IriTech. We have made great technological advances as well as started work with some great companies. In addition we have made substantial contributions in the iris biometrics standards arena.
We are particularly excited about our new partnership with Lockheed Martin. This cooperation will make our technology available to the large United States government market.

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