Before Cameron can enter, he peers into the lens of a small digital camera as it snaps a picture of his eye. It then compares the data with a digital template that Cameron stored when he first installed the system and registered himself as one of only two acceptable visitors. Once a match is verified, the door unlocks. The whole process takes all of 15 seconds. The technology, developed by IriScan of Marlton, N,J., is an example of biometrics, the science of measuring physical characteristics or behaviors to authenticate a person's identity.
Some biometric techniques involve reading a person's face, palm or fingerprint.
Others analyze the voice or the way you wield a pen when signing your name. The basic premise is to identify a person in a way that can't be faked by an impostor and thus help solve a host of security problems, from fraudulent use of credit cards to unauthorized access to company computer systems. It's a lot tougher to duplicate a person's fingerprint, eyeball or the funny way the bridge of his nose meets his brow. But the day consumers routinely use their voice, face or fingertip to log on to their home PC, unscramble confidential files or complete a Web purchase is probably years off, say analysts and industry insiders. Still, biometrics has made some significant strides in the past year, attracting the interest of such blue-chip tech companies as Sony, Motorola, Microsoft and Compaq, which Park says should boost marketing efforts and in turn drive consumer adoption.