BioAPI Consortium Releases for Testing the Beta Version of the BioAPI Linux/Unix Reference Implementation Software.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

GAITHERSBURG, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2003

The BioAPI Consortium today announced the release of the beta version of the BioAPI Linux(TM)/Unix(TM) (Solaris(TM)) version. Once tested by the BioAPI members, and others upon request, the new Linux/Unix Reference Implementation software will be released to the general public. This harmonized version of the Reference Implementation is the result of efforts undertaken by two BioAPI supporters, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an independent agency of the US Department of Commerce, and the International Biometric Group (IBG), a biometric consulting and technology services firm.

This effort entailed "porting" the existing Windows(TM) (Win32(TM)) implementation to execute on either Linux(TM) or Sun Solaris(TM) platforms, broadening the available applications and environments for standards-based biometric systems. The configuration included in the Reference Implementation software can handle multiple "flavors" of Unix (currently configurable for Linux and Solaris), and is easily adaptable to handle other Unix systems such as BSD(TM), HPUX(TM), or AIX(TM) in the future. The Reference Implementation is the software instantiation of the BioAPI framework. As an "open systems" specification, the BioAPI is intended for use across a broad spectrum of computing environments to insure cross-platform support.

The BioAPI Specification defines an open system standard application program interface (API) that allows software applications to communicate with a broad range of biometric technologies in a common way. Version 1.1 of the BioAPI Specification and the associated Win32 Reference Implementation software were released in March 2001 and are both freely available for download from the BioAPI Consortium's website (http://www.bioapi.org). The Win32 Reference Implementation is available royalty-free as open source software, as will be the Linux/Unix version once publicly released.

"The BioAPI Steering Committee is very pleased with the Information Technology Laboratory of NIST and the International Biometric Group for having undertaken this software development effort. The release for testing of this beta version of the BioAPI Linux/Unix Reference Implementation software is a crucial milestone in the history of BioAPI," said Cathy Tilton of SAFLINK Corporation, who chairs the BioAPI Consortium. "One of the main strengths of the BioAPI Specification is that it is an open, platform independent standard. The availability of the BioAPI for Linux and Unix platforms as well as the availability of the previous Win32 version of the Reference Implementation proves this and will greatly affect the availability of biometric solutions for heterogeneous systems," concluded Tilton.

Biometric technologies automatically identify or verify the identity of a person through measurable physical or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprint, voice or iris recognition. The BioAPI Specification defines an open system standard application program interface (API) that allows software applications to communicate with a broad range of biometric technologies in a common way. The BioAPI specification is the result of several years of collaborative effort between the biometrics industry, government, and major information technology vendors. The 100+ members comprising the BioAPI Consortium cover a broad cross section of biometric technology manufacturers, integrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and end users from around the world. In direct support of Homeland Security legislation, the InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS) fast-tracked the BioAPI specification to have it become an American National Standard, ANSI/INCITS 358. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved BioAPI as an official ANSI standard on February 13, 2002. BioAPI was also recently submitted by the US as a candidate for further standardization as an international standard through ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1 Subcommittee 37 - Biometrics (JTC 1 SC 37).

The BioAPI supports a wide range of biometric technologies, including fingerprint imaging, speaker verification, facial recognition, iris scanning, dynamic signature, and hand geometry. It is designed for use in a broad array of applications, extending from embedded devices (such as cell phones) to large-scale identification systems (such as national ID systems), as well as user authentication applications associated with computer and network access. BioAPI is compatible with the Common Biometric Exchange File Format (CBEFF), NIST Publication NISTIR 6529 which defines a single approach for a biometric data structure to assure biometrics companies and their potential customers that different biometric devices and applications can exchange information efficiently, and the ANSI X9.84 standard, Biometric Management and Security for the Financial Services Industry(c).

About BioAPI

The BioAPI Consortium was formed to develop a widely available and widely accepted Application Programming Interface to serve any type of biometric technology. Additional information about the BioAPI Consortium and the BioAPI Specification can be found at www.bioapi.org.

About NIST

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration, NIST develops and promotes measurements, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life. Their website is http://www.nist.gov.

About IBG

International Biometric Group is a leading biometric integration and consulting firm, addressing the identification and authentication needs of mid-to-large-size organizations since 1996. IBG works on behalf of both private and government clients to evaluate, design, and integrate biometric solutions for public sector programs, network security, point-of-sale applications, Internet applications, physical access and time-and-attendance systems. Their website is http://www.biometricgroup.com.

About INCITS

The InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS) is the venue of choice for information technology developers, producers and users for the creation and maintenance of formal IT standards. INCITS is accredited by, and operates under rules approved by, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These rules are designed to ensure that voluntary standards are developed by the consensus of directly and materially affected interests. Contact: INCITS Secretariat, Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC), 1250 Eye St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005 (www.incits.org).

BioAPI(TM) is a registered trademark of the BioAPI Consortium. All other brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.