In Brief

Publications Pictures of the Future Spring 2003

Security

Today's major biometric technologies are finger, hand, face, voice, signature and iris scanning. Although all are experiencing growth, finger scanning, with about 1 billion euros in sales in 2003, is the fastest growing. In all, the biometric systems market is expected to grow from roughly US-$ 1.4 billion (2003) to US-$ 1.9 billion by 2005(more)
Voice scanning is particularly promising as a cell phone authorization technology. The technology is also applicable to call centers, banks, insurance companies and airlines. Once users have a voice print on file, they can contact automated voice-activated systems to access and update their files or to order tickets(see articles A Question of Identity and and
Body Language)
Biometric technologies will gradually be combined to further increase security. Siemens' Intelligent Digital Passport (IDP) device already combines voice, face and fingerprint biometrics( more)
During the next few years, cameras that simply transmit whatever they see will be replaced by "smart" cameras. The new devices will have the ability to filter out routine events and draw the attention of a human when an important event occurs. Applica-tions include road and tunnel security, license plate identification, and home and building intruder protection systems that can, for instance, distinguish between a person and an animal( more)
A prototype image analysis system produces descriptions of what it sees, essentially translating visual information into words. The descriptions can be used to search for particular persons or objects throughout huge image databases by simply using key words(more)
Data security is becoming increasingly important. With this in mind, Siemens has developed smart security systems that protect rapidly growing areas such as Internet telephony, mobile networks and remote control systems(more)