This Week's Herman Trend Alert

Nail-Painting Robot Coming
to a Salon Near You

 

  The Herman Trend Alert

March 31, 1999

Iris Identification

276 days until January 1, 2000

An article in the January 1999 issue of Discover Magazine reports that John Daugman, a computer scientist at Cambridge University, has developed an identification system that scans and recognizes the unique patterns in a person's iris—the colored part of the eye.

Daugman's camera uses infrared light to image the iris and then creates a digital code based on the iris' fiber pattern. Daugman notes that his device should not be confused with a retinal scanner, which examines the blood vessel patterns at the back of the eye. That technology requires the user to put his eye right up to the lens of a camera. Daugman's scanner can be used by someone standing up to three feet away. The device has performed flawlessly in 30 million tests, scanning as many as 100,000 iris codes a second, and can't be fooled by photos.

Imagine the potential uses of Daugman's technology. Police mug shots will take on a whole new dimension that will complement DNA testing and other means of identification. Enhancement of security cameras in banks, retail stores, airports, and numerous other locations will allow iris pattern identification of suspicious persons. Computer digitizing and databank management would allow instant identification. Location tags in the programming, combined with internet power, could effectively track people around the world. We could see a sort of global positioning system to find people wherever they are.

Corporate and school security could move to a new level. Forget your ID card today? No problem, we can confirm who you are. Airport check-in? Automatic. When hand-held scanning units are developed, you won't even need your driver's license for routine traffic stops. Underage drinking and cigarette purchasing won't be possible with those ubiquitous fake IDs. Medical records management could be enhanced. Credit cards may carry photos with iris readability that can be checked by banks or retailers concerned about checking your validity before you use your card.

Will we see this usage in our lifetimes? Will the fear of "big-brotherism" block application of Daugman's technology? We don't have the answers on this one.


© Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. 1.336.210.3548 or https://hermangroup.com. To sign up, visit https://HermanTrendAlert.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."

HEAR JOYCE SPEAK TOMORROW AT 11:30 AM EDT
Tomorrow morning, Joyce will be a Fireside Chat Speakers at the Brightside Business Women Empowerment Virtual Conference where she will talk about how business women can use the insights from her new, groundbreaking book, EXPERIENCE RULES, to be successful. Register for FREE at https://brightsideglobaltrade.org/women.

GET COACHING FOR YOUR PEOPLE FOR LESS THAN $1/DAY!
Gain access to dozens of coaches for the same low price. Find out more by visiting https://ingomu.com/joyceg

JOYCE IS ON THE RADIO EVERYDAY NOW
To listen to Joyce's TV shows on the radio, simply visit RadioFutures.com. Joyce's show is streaming every day at 3:00PM Pacific Time.

To read this Herman Trend Alert on the web: https://hermangroup.com/alert/archive_3-29-2023.html.


Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers.

New subscribers are always welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is read by over 30,000 people in 90 countries, including other websites and printed periodicals. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert.

Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Herman Trend Alert service.


Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert
View this week's Herman Trend Alert
Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


[ Home · About · Products · Resources · Media ]

 

7112 Viridian Lane
Austin, TX 78739
Voice: 336-210-3548
Toll Free in US & Canada: 800-227-3566
E-mail: info@hermangroup.com


  © The Herman Group. All rights reserved.

Web site design by WebEditor Design Services, Inc.