RFID Alternative: Vein Scans |
Thursday February 2, 2006 8:16 PM CST - By: Dave White
| |
|
|
  With all the controversy about RFID, it probably comes as no surprise that researchers are working on alternatives. One such alternative involves palm reading, blood cells, and veins.
The brainchild of a Memphis, Tenn., biotech company named Luminetx, their technology implements an infrared scan of the blood cells that run through a person's veins. The data is analyzed by a computer. The result is a powerfully individual data set.
"Our vein structures are completely different, especially when you look at the palm," said Luminetx Chief Executive Officer Jim Phillips. "In a way, it's like looking at a bar code. We convert your veins to a bar code."
The company invented the process, naturally enough, to help medical professionals find veins in patients who needed injections. But sensing an opportunity, Luminetx is now marketing the technology to financial institutions and homeland security officials as an alternative to other, more controversial biometric identification tools.
Some industry observers, at least, are excited about the development, for which Luminetx received a patent last fall.
"The future of our country's security is dependent upon companies like Luminetx who are on the cutting edge of identification technology," said Phil Trenary, CEO of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. "Increased need has in turn created increased demand for high-tech ids that can't be copied or forged. I'm personally very excited about what Luminetx is working on."
Fujitsu is already working in this area and has sold thousands of similar units in Japan. That country, however, doesn't seem to have the kind of privacy debate that the U.S. has.
Via CNET News
|
 Reader Ratings |
|
| Be the first to rate this article.
|
|
Recent Headlines
Feature: Why the BlackBerry Storm Will Fail in Canada- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 11:26 PM CST
Might Be Hard to Find an iPod This Holiday Season- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 4:18 PM CST
T-Mobile Giving Away Free Mobile Phone Games- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 3:33 PM CST
Next Nokia Superphone Powered by Maemo Linux- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 3:17 PM CST
More Pink Options from Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 2:32 PM CST
President-Elect Barack Obama Owns a Zune and a Mac?- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 2:25 PM CST
Laptop Cooling Stand with USB Ports, Slot-Loading HDD Dock- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 12:31 PM CST
QIGI i6-Goal Android Phone Prepares for China's TechFaith Wireless- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 12:21 PM CST
Video: Top Gear Takes Bus Race to Rally Track- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 12:11 PM CST
Nokia N97 Flagship Phone with Angled Touchscreen and Slide-Out QWERTY- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 11:48 AM CST
Ted Rogers Passes Away at Age 75- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 11:36 AM CST
Feature: What is the Ultimate Smartphone Form Factor?- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 6:08 PM CST
Get Ready for Full HD Video on Mobile Phones- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 1:50 PM CST
Check Out the White HTC Touch Diamond- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 1:34 PM CST
Fujitsu Wants to Give You a Free Laptop Every Three Years- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 1:17 PM CST
Lisa Simpson Hits New Mapple Store at Springfield Mall- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 1:16 PM CST
Supercar Shootout: Bugatti Veyron vs. Pagani Zonda F Roadster (Video)- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 12:51 PM CST
Feature: Why Don't We See More Solar Stuff?- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 3:17 PM CST
BlackBerry Curve 8900 Javelin In Stock at Rogers, Ready to Go- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 1:02 PM CST
Telus BlackBerry Storm Priced at $300 by Best Buy- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 12:39 PM CST
New Smartphone Data Value Packs from Rogers- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 12:25 PM CST
Rogers Wireless Launches Nokia E71 at $99 with Contract- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 12:24 PM CST
Lego R2-D2 USB Drive Stuffs Head into Your Computer- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 12:12 PM CST
Apple iPhone 2.2 Works with IntelliScreen Again- posted on Thursday November 27, 2008 1:21 PM CST
Samsung Launches Smartphones for BizBees in Europe- posted on Thursday November 27, 2008 12:59 PM CST
|
|
|
|
XML Feed