Trying to remember dozens of Personal
Identification Numbers (PINs),
passwords and credit
card numbers could soon become a thing of the past, thanks to a unique
face recognition software developed by a University of Houston research team.
The software uses a 3-D dimensional snapshot of a
Person''s face to create a unique identifier or biometric. The UH Eckhard Pfeiffer professor Ioannis Kakadiaris led team at the Computational Biomedicine Lab (CBL), which developed the software said, URxD could be used for everything from gaining access to secure facilities to authorising credit card purchases.
The identification procedure is as effortless as taking a photograph, they said.
According to its developers, the URxD leads the pack for 3D face recognition solutions based on the face''s shape.
The Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT 2006) conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology also confirmed the findings, they said.
"Accuracy is the name of the game in 3-D face recognition. What makes our system so accurate is the strength of the variables that we use to describe a person''s face," said Kakadiaris.
"Remembering dozens of personal identification numbers and passwords is not the solution to identity theft. PINs and passwords are not only inconvenient to memorise, but also are impractical to safeguard. In essence, they merely tie two pieces of information together; once the secret is compromised, the rest follows. The solution is to be able to tie your private information to your person in a way that cannot be compromised," he said.
Researchers said the software and technology also could play a role in national security.