International Automated Systems is developing biometric system for airport security

DECEMBER 5--International Automated Systems Inc. (Salem, UT; www.iaus.com)is developing an airport security system around its patented, market-tested biometric identification technology. The system will enable airlines to match passengers to their tickets and their luggage, a key element of improving travel security.

The company has US and international patents on taking any type of biometric image (fingerprint, hand, facial, voice and iris) and generating a digital code representing unique characteristics of the image. Its biometric technology is already in use as a way to check the identification of consumers using its self-service payment systems.

The demand for biometrics has dramatically increased since the tragedy of September 11, and the potential for additional protection from this technology is now widely accepted. Recently passed government legislation for air safety has a provision that provides $70 million a year for development of new security technologies and requires the FAA to begin testing, in at least 20 airports, emerging technologies such as biometric identification.