2D Barcode Boarding Symbology Tested By The TSA

Ones next set of secure ID documents … discarded! Image Credit: upgradetravelbetter.com

2D Barcode Boarding Symbology Tested By The TSA

An automatic identification barcode symbology that has been in use for well over a decade and adopted for use in advertising messages for cellphones is now being tested as a way to speed up and verify boarding procedures.

Photographic image driver’s license numbers, passport and fingerprint image information is captured and digitally encrypted as squares within a square on boarding passes that can be decoded and verified in milliseconds at stations throughout an airport to confirm identity. What has worked for packages being sent and tracked through our nation’s major shipping service companies appears to be a benefit to humans shipping themselves to their desired destination with security and safety within the Transportation Security Administration managed environments.

The TSA is non-committal when it comes to a possible implementation timeframe, however, so be prepared for long lines and repetitive strip searched for now and the foreseeable future.

Datastrip is a leading provider of 2D bar code software, hardware and biometric verification devices. Datastrip’s products include the 2D Superscript Software Developers Kit (SDK), Datastrip 2D (public domain) SDK and the DSVerify 2D card/passport reader with associated DSVerify Win CE SDK. Both 2D Superscript and Datastrip 2D symbologies are ideal for bar code storage of photographs (both color and grayscale), multiple biometrics and text. Image Credit: Datastrip Group Inc.

This excerpted and edited from Security Director News -

TSA tests boarding pass technology
By Leischen Stelter, SECURITY DIRECTOR NEWS - 11.25.2008 - MINNEAPOLIS

An independent testing body for the Transportation Security Administration in late October completed a 45-day test of Laser Data Command's PassPro system, an automated airline passenger boarding system, which encrypts passenger information on boarding passes.
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The system was tested at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport using law enforcement officers as the test group. Officers were issued letters with PassPro barcodes giving them permission to carry weapons aboard commercial airlines. Officers presented the letters to airline security officers who scanned the encrypted barcode and confirmed the officers' identities.
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"We put the system into an operational environment at the Minnesota airport," said Gary Murray, manager of access control and biometrics testing for National Safe Skies Alliance. "We go in and set up the system exactly as it would potentially be set up in airports, and we try out the system to measure how useful it could be in the future."

Miometric Security - Eyes and fingers airport security. "Lufthansa and Siemens has successfully tested a biometric process for check-in and boarding at the Airport [2005]. The system identifies passengers from their fingerprints. After a passenger’s finger is rolled over an optical reader unit, the system converts the fingerprints’ characteristics into a 2D code which the reader prints on the boarding pass. Just before boarding, the fingerprints are again scanned by a reader and compared with the barcode. The data is erased after the passenger checks in. " Caption & Image Credit: wemakemoneynotart.com

The outcome of the testing is confidential, said Murray.

However, John Barclay, president and CEO of Laser Data Command, told Security Director News that he expects to receive a positive report from the TSA when an official report is released at the beginning of next year. "We've been told by the testing principles that all went flawlessly."

Barclay said PassPro is intended not only to increase aviation security and eliminate the possibility of fake boarding passes, but also to speed up passenger travel times. "We see it as a convenience to passengers, but also as a way for security to know about passengers and have done a threat assessment on them," said Barclay.
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"It's entirely up to the TSA now that they've proven its use," he [Barclay] said. "It's quite scalable and has a variety of uses. The outcome of the trial will enable it be QPL (Qualified Product Listing) with the TSA and then it is applicable for anything they want to use it for."
Reference Here>>

Barcodes For The Bird Lover Makes Editors Choice

iFlyer consumer barcode scanner helps with the identification of bird calls with the bird that made the call. Image credit: iFlyer - Birdsong Identiflyer

Barcodes For The Bird Lover Makes Editors Choice

Would-be ornithologists the world over have trouble getting started in their budding pursuit. In order to be a good “twitcher”, one needs to be able to match the bird with the sound.

iFlyer consumer barcode scanner scans barcodes on the bird identification card and plays the call. Image credit: iFlyer - Birdsong Identiflyer

Experts say that 70% of bird identification is through the bird’s song rather than identifying by sight.

The iFlyer was just given a 2007 Editors Choice Award by Organic Gardening Magazine. It is easy to see and hear why. This consumer barcode scanner and booklet made the cut along with other helpful items that include a folding saw, a digging tool, a hat, a kneeling mat, a plant labeler, a mulching fork, long-handled tools, and a power cultivator.

The iFlyer is a unique idea on playing and identifying bird calls. The device is a wand with a bar code reader, memory and a speaker. When you draw the scanning end across the bar code that is next to the color image of a bird, the wand plays the sound of the bird pictured.

A colorful booklet packaged with the iFlyer contains over 200 bird illustrations (and 10 Frogs), with a barcode printed next to each image. A set of stickers with bird names and codes is provided, so one can put them in his own field guide!

Just in time for Christmas, a gift of Barcodes for the budding birder!

This device may give rise to a whole new meaning of the phrase … “scanning the horizon”.

This SongCard is an effective, safe and responsible way to attract all birds within listening range. Image Credit: iFlyer - Birdsong Identiflyer

This edited from Organic Gardening Magazine -

Editors Choice Awards 2007
By Zazel Loven – Organic Gardening – November 19, 2007

Every season--sometimes it seems like every day--we hear from garden-product makers who want us to try a revolutionary new tool or gizmo that's certain to make tending our beds easier, more rewarding, and downright fun. But our group of evaluators (which includes OG editors and test gardeners, as well as the pros who care for the gardens of our founders, the Rodale family) is a skeptical bunch.

We've tried a shed full of products that are at best nothing special and at worst [insert favorite expression for manure here]. After this season's trials with dozens of products, we all agree that these 12 deliver on their promises and are worthy of our Editors' Choice award this year (and might make a nice gift for your own holiday list).

Testers included: Lisa Gabory, Josh Brunner, Dale Geist, Pam Ruch, Brad Pollock, and Suzanne Royer. Not shown: Don Boekelheide, Maggie Kuschner, and Zazel Lovén.

Wildlife Identifier
Okay, this one is pure fun, but we enjoyed the iFlyer BirdSong Scanning Wand all season long. Recorded in the wild, the songs of 206 birds and 10 frogs are captured on bar codes in a pocket-sized book, and you play the sounds by simply passing the penlike instrument over the bar codes. Adults wanted to use this audio wildlife ID guide as much as children. Included are a carrying case, plus shoulder and wrist straps. $100; identiflyer.com

Folding Saw
Josh likes the Pocketboy 170 Folding Saw for its comfortable rubber handle and secure locking mechanism. The clip-on carrying case keeps it handy (such as on Josh's belt here), and the blade is replaceable. Pam and Maggie rely on the extra-fine-toothed tool for fast and smooth pruning of errant branches in the OG Test Garden. $29; silkystore.com

Moth Protection
You can protect crops from flying pests effectively without toxic sprays using this product created by a home gardener. Pam notes that the medium Moth-Blocker completely prevented cabbage moths from laying their eggs on broccoli and cauliflower, then went on to protect Brussels-sprout seedlings destined for the fall garden. $35; mothblocker.com

Row Cover/Shade Fabric
Nylon reinforcing threads make Tufbell more durable than other row covers, says Don, our North Carolina test gardener. Here, Josh and OG art director Gavin Robinson use it in the OG Test Garden to let sunlight and water reach the plants while protecting them from weather and animal damage. $60 for 20 feet; groworganic.com

Digging Tool
The shape and sharp edges of the Pro Gardener's Digging Tool, popular with professionals, make it great for digging out tough weeds, report Pam and her crew. The serrated edge cuts roots and vines--especially the massive roots of biennial weeds such as burdock, Pam adds. $57; garrettwade.com

Hat
The Adventure Hat does much more than provide some shade, Pam says. The lightweight fabric fully blocks the sunlight, protecting your face, nose, ears, and back of the neck from harmful rays. "I love this hat," says the usually restrained Pam, "and you can quote me." $38; groworganic.com

Kneeler
The OXO Garden Kneeling Mat is our constant companion in the garden. The extra thickness makes kneeling easy and keeps dampness at bay. You can work longer in the garden because the kneeler makes it easy to change position--flip it closed, and it's a comfortable seat. $15; oxo.com

Sharpener
Professionals who regularly work with tools know that sharp edges make everything from shovels and spades to pruners much more effective. The Swiss Professional Sharpener lets you give your tools a fresh edge quickly and easily without disassembling them. $28; gardenhardware.com

Plant Labeler
We spend a surprising amount of time thinking about, discussing, and making identification signs for our plots. Lisa, who cares for the ornamental beds at the Rodale family gardens, raved about the Brother PT-1280 Label Maker because it allowed her to fit all the plant information she wanted on one label. And the labels stayed clear and legible after a whole season of exposure. Techno-savvy gardeners can use the labeler to transfer plant information to their computers for future reference. About $40 at office-supply stores; brotherlabelmaker.com

Power Cultivator
The most useful cultivator this season was the new Stihl MM 55 Yard Boss. Dale and Brad found it powerful for cultivating and aerating soil at the Rodale family gardens, and its new handle and wheel innovations make it easy to manipulate. About $330; stihl.com

Mulching Fork
Suzanne especially liked the unique shape of the Unifork for gathering large amounts of material. Made of high-grade polypropylene, it will never rust and is lightweight. Vegetable gardener and tester Brad reports that it's surprisingly effective at heavy-duty compost turning and mulching. $40; unionjackstable.com

Long-Handled Tools
Designed to relieve arm, hand, and wrist stress, the Radius long-handled tools won over all of our testers (male and female). With stainless-steel working ends, a unique handle design, and generous stepping edges, these tools proved both comfortable to use, Lisa reports, and strong enough for every garden task. $35; radiusgarden.com
Reference Here>>

Faceprints As Symbology

University researchers developed the URxD face recognition software that uses a three-dimensional snapshot of a person's face to create a unique biometric identifier. Image Credit: University of Houston via NetworkWorld

Faceprints As Symbology

Who needs a number when you have a face? That’s what we say here at Symblogogy!

Symbologies such as barcodes are rapidly being replaced by other pattern identifiers found through digital conversion.

As noted here a few months ago, ColorCode/ColorZip created a new type of symbology to be used for advertisers that takes a picture of an Ad an and converts it to a type of QR Code based symbology. The purpose here would allow the user access to additional information by taking a photograph with ones phone on the product Ad and digital image converted.

Here in Houston, they have created a different approach to digital conversion and identification. A webcam captures a continuous video stream which is used to detect the face of an individual and converts the images captured to a unique identifier … just like a barcode on a keyfob.

It will only be a matter of time when one can step up in line at the supermarket and have ones loyalty points automatically accrue and discounts awarded through photographic digital conversion as symbology access to database information capture and update.

This from NetworkWorld -

Forget your PIN? Use your face
Submitted by Layer 8 on Wed, 08/01/2007 - 11:49am.

Face recognition as a unique biometric is growing slowly in certain corporate and consumer applications, but researchers at the University of Houston (UH) are trying to make the technology far more ubiquitous and secure: they want it to replace the dozens of personal identification numbers (PIN), passwords and credit card numbers everyone uses every day.

The UH designed and built a prototype field-deployable 3D face recognition system that consists of a 3dMDTM optical scanner using a 1-pod configuration, which is connected to a PC.

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When the subject is facing the camera and remains relatively still for more than two seconds, the system triggers the optical scanner and the 3D data of the individual's face are captured. The system can either enroll the subject into the database, or perform a scenario-specific task. In an identification scenario, the system will display the closest 5 datasets to the operator. In a verification scenario, the system will determine whether the subject is who they claim to be, based on a preset distance threshold, UH says.

The system determines not only the characteristics of each face, but also whether the person is wearing glasses, allowing for a practical system which offers high accuracy. So far, face recognition methods have focused on appearance - capturing, representing, and matching facial characteristics as they appear on two-dimensional images in the visible spectrum. This is quite challenging to machine recognition because such characteristics vary with orientation, age, habits (beard etc)), and illumination. Instead, the UH system uses three-dimensional information.

The system was highly rated by The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in its annual Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT) 2006 and the Iris Challenge Evaluation (ICE) 2006. NIST said the FRVT looks at face recognition from high-resolution still images and three-dimensional (3D) face images, and measures performance for still images taken under controlled and uncontrolled illumination. Face and iris are two biometrics that have been developed over the last 20 years. Face recognition is a vibrant area of biometrics with active research and commercial efforts.

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"Remembering dozens of personal identification numbers and passwords is not the solution to identity theft. PINs and passwords are not only inconvenient to memorize, 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," said Eckhard Pfeiffer Professor of Computer Science and director of the UH Computational Biomedicine Laboratory.

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NIST last year released the Multimodal Biometric Application Resource Kit (MBARK), an open source middleware package that enables you to plug in biometric sensors from different manufacturers. The kit also contains templates and sample apps. All the details and the software can be downloaded from the NIST Web site.
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Corporate Culture (and technology) Gone Wrong

Albertson's - Coming of age in an internet world. Image Credit: W=UH

Corporate Culture (and technology) Gone Wrong

Let’s be honest … when a company invests improperly in technology that would have allowed them to compete on an equal footing with the other players in the marketplace the worst things can happen.

Albertson’s never had a clue that after it purchased Lucky Stores that it now had to finally jump into the “discount club” fray along with Ralph’s and Vons. The management put off the decision for the longest time but finally had to submit to the competitive pressure.

The problem was that they bought off on technology that was "on the cheap"! The loyalty/discount cards they had purchased placed the unique barcode information for each customer on the surface of the plastic that the card or key-fob was made of … as opposed to having the image embedded or otherwise protected by the plastic cover.

The barcode information began to rub off immediately upon issue and after awhile became unreadable by the barcode reader. This left the job to the cashier who had to manually enter the data in order to allow the customer to accrue loyalty points and achieve a discount.

It gets worse – Albertson’s will now totally abandon the “discount/loyalty” program with the excuse (spin) that they are opening up the discounts to everyone … sound familiar? It should. That is what they told all of the shoppers as the excuse as to why they did not have a loyalty program … just after they had purchased Lucky Stores.

Really, this is about corporate culture and how it can go all wrong.

"IF KEYS ARE FOUND, PLEASE RETURN TO NEAREST ALBERTSON'S STORE" - Image Credit: This Is Broken

News Item from The Salt Lake Tribune -

No more 'Preferred Card' at Albertsons
The Salt Lake Tribune - Article Last Updated: 06/20/2007 01:39:55 PM MDT

Posted: 1:27 PM - Albertsons stores are ending their "Preferred Card" program at 78 Southwest stores.

The Arizona Republic reports today that instead, the chain will offer discounted items to everyone.

"Our objective is to give all the consumers in the marketplace the same great deals irregardless of having to have a loyalty card," said Bob Colgrove, Albertsons Southwest division president.

Other supermarkets and grocers, including Safeway, Fry's and Bashas', said this week that they don't plan to follow Albertsons' lead and will keep their cards.
Reference Here>>

That's because their (Safeway, Fry's, and Bashas') cards work.

By the way, never listen to anyone who uses “IRREGARDLESS” … it (irregardless) is NOT a word. Just as a barcode is not a barcode when it can be, or becomes mushed.

Symbology News Invades 3GSM Conference

Image Credit: Ecrio Inc.

Symbology News Invades 3GSM Conference

A PR Newswire release timed for the opening of the world’s premiere conference for GSM mobile phone communications (3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain - February 12-15) highlights the announcement of a newly patented process.

The process helps to ‘Beam’ regular barcodes from cellphones to everyday barcode scanners at the PoS checkout lane.

With over 35 million barcode scanners used throughout North America in retail checkout applications, combined with the use of the MoBeam™ Service patented by Ecrio, the cellphone can now be employed as a primary consumer coupon redemption device for products sold universally.

Excerpts from PR Newswire -

Ecrio 'Beams' Barcodes From Mobile Phones to Scanners
MoBeam(TM) Service to be Integrated Into the Visa Mobile Platform
By PR Newswire - CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb. 12

Ecrio, a leader in real-time communications and commerce software for mobile phones, today launched MoBeam(TM), a patented new service ( United States Patent #6,685,093) that bridges the gap between mobile handsets and the global barcode point-of-sale infrastructure.

This new service will be available globally; Visa International, a leader in payment services, has agreed to integrate MoBeam barcode technology into Visa's recently announced mobile platform.

In addition to the service launch, Ecrio announced that the MoBeam value projector already has been tested on several leading mobile phones, including the ASUS P525, the Hewlett Packard iPaq, the Motorola Q, and the Palm Treo.

For years, technologists have known how to send barcode information to mobile phones (via email, WAP, SMS and more), but have been unable to transfer that barcode information (for tickets, coupons, gift cards, etc.) from the handset to barcode scanning devices. Issues with screen resolution, reflection and other technical limitations have prevented scanners from effectively "reading" barcodes displayed on a mobile device screen. MoBeam finally solves these longstanding problems, enabling the instant transmission of any barcode sequence from handset to scanner.

"MoBeam is the missing link between today's mobile consumer and a worldwide commerce infrastructure based on barcodes," said Nagesh Challa, Ecrio Chairman and CEO. "For instance, a traveler using mobile search functions can be sent a digital coupon, easily redeemed at point-of-sale via the traveler's handset."
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Patrick Gauthier, Senior Vice President of Innovation for Visa International, said "Ecrio shares our commitment to deliver the convenience of mobile payments and services to consumers worldwide. We see MoBeam as a valuable enabling technology for barcode based value added applications using the recently launched Visa mobile platform."

Added Dr. Alex Sun, Vice President of ASUSTeK's Wireless Communication business unit, "As a leading handset supplier to several major European wireless operators, ASUSTeK is pleased to have the MoBeam technology showcased on our phones during 3GSM. MoBeam offers a whole new class of application that we expect will readily be embraced by today's mobile, savvy consumer -- regardless of geography."

Several companies in the current barcode ecosystem have expressed interest in MoBeam, along with major retailers and carriers.
Reference Here>>

mCode Mobility Symbology Is Making Moves

Examples of Nextcode's mCode when paired up with a corporate "physical world connection" or hyperlink that communicates information directly to one’s cellphone --- "Just Point, Shoot, And Watch" --- Information at one's fingertips. Image Credit: Nextcode/ConnexTo/The Pondering Primate

mCode Mobility Symbology Is Making Moves

Most people are familiar with barcodes; they appear on almost every product we purchase. These barcodes are used to identify the products we purchase so that the pricing and other information (inventory and etc.) is easily retrieved from a computer database. In the case of a barcode, it is a little like a license plate.

But what happens when one wants more than simple identification from a symbology? The symbology has to evolve to meet the application.

When cellphones with cameras were first introduced, most thought ... "How novel, now I don't have to carry two devices in my travels, I have communications and a way to capture my travel experience. How cool, but don't I get better images from a dedicated camera?"

Enter the information age through a better symbology. Enter Nextcode.

This mission statement from the Nextcode website -

Nextcode

Nextcode's mission is to help remove the usability barriers to mobile content, commerce and services. We help eliminate countless keystrokes, bypass cumbersome menus and thus help companies improve their services, better merchandise content, expand offerings and enhance customer satisfaction. By doing so, they increase revenue, build loyalty and create happy customers.

Nextcode Logo - Image Credit: Nextcode Corp

At Nextcode, we see camera phones as just the beginning. In fact, if you look closely, it’s not really a camera inside your handset at all. Rather, it's an image sensor that just happens to have the software to process image data into photos. But the potential for mobile imaging is exponentially greater than taking snapshots. And we provide the enabling technology to help you offer services, provide benefits, open opportunities and make consumers’ mobile experiences easier, richer, and more fun.

Let us help you open up imaging opportunities for your business, because today, in their phones, hundreds of millions of consumers are carrying image sensors everywhere they go. Image sensors, coupled to powerful processors, wirelessly linked to the Internet. Hundreds of millions more are coming soon.
Reference Here>>

Ok! so now one has a code that is more easily read by a cellphone, but what does this mean to me? How am I or my company able to access the power of this new type of communication power?

Create your own physical world connection. Create a hyperlink to a website that is tailored to be seen by a cellphone screen.

Enter ConnexTo, a service of Nextcode.

This from ConnexTo (TM) -

ConnexTo

ConnexTo is a product of Nextcode Corporation, a leader in barcode scanning solutions for camera phones. We help remove usability barriers to mobile content, commerce and services. Our solutions help eliminate countless keystrokes and bypass cumbersome menus help consumers do more with their phones. We also help companies improve their services, better merchandise content, expand offerings and enhance customer satisfaction.

ConnexTo Logo - Image Credit: Nextcode Corp.

ConnexTo uses mCode, a special 2D code format developed specifically for camera phones and mobile applications. mCode is based on patent pending technology based on years of R&D with image sensors, optics, and camera phone applications. It provides breakthroughs in flexibility, data density, aesthetics, and performance. As a result, it is easy to use with standard cell phones. mCode is also designed for the requirements of advertisers, mobile content providers and consumers who want to open up the possibilities of a wide range of capabilities of mobile phones, content and commerce.

Use your camera to take you to websites in a snap. Enter SMS messages without wearing out your fingers. Share detailed contact info with just a click. ConnexTo makes your phone smarter, your life easier and your fingers a lot happier.

Just load application on your phone and you're ready to do a lot more than take pictures. At ConnexTo.com you can create your own codes, share them and then connect with friends, co-workers, content and an entirely new mobile experience.

ConnexTo. It's easy. It's fun. And - best of all - it's FREE.
Reference Here>>

Here are some examples of applications designed to reach out and communicate via Nextcode's mCode and ConnexTo (through a service called WINKsite).

One can even create a link of communication to a human … or government official. Why not, say, President Bush? Image Credit: Nextcode/ConnexTo


Here’s an example of a corporate application that would help a customer get the most out of the product they produce. How to cook a Butterball Turkey at Thanksgiving --- “Just Point, Shoot, And Watch”. Image Credit: Nextcode/ConnexTo/Butterball

Using WINKsite,(http://winksite.com) anyone can set up their own mobile site in minutes that's available worldwide from any web-enabled phone or desktop PC. Each mobile site is outfitted with RSS-friendly features that make it easy to glue together content from blogs and feeds with community features such as chat, forums and polls. Over 10,000 individual publishers and brands have created direct-to-consumer mobile portals and sites. WINKsite - Your Life. Your Friends. Your World. Image Credit: Nextcode/ConnexTo/WINKsite

ht: The Pondering Primate