This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

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 Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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