Identix and Infineon Agree to Bring Fingerprint-Based Biometric Security Solutions to the Mass Market
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 1999--Identix Incorporated (AMEX:IDX - news), a worldwide leader in providing biometric security and identification solutions, and Infineon Technologies jointly announced today that the companies have formed a technology and marketing alliance to deliver fingerprint-based biometric security solutions for mass-market personal computers and a wide-range of other technology applications.
According to the agreement, Identix's IT Security Division, Identicator Technology, Inc., will bundle the Infineon FingerTIP(TM) biometric ID sensor chip with the Identicator BioEngine(TM) and BioLogon(TM) fingerprint identification security software to create a complete biometric security solution for potential integration into mass market applications.
The Infineon FingerTIP chip miniaturizes reliable fingerprint identification technology into a small size (18mm x 21mm x 1.5 mm), the sensor chip contains approximately 65,000 individual pixels that capture a crisp digital image of a human fingerprint.
Occupying no more surface area than the average postage stamp, the sensor chip may be incorporated into a wide range of mass market products, including desktop computers, laptops and handheld PCs, computer peripherals, cellular phones, bank ATMs, set-top boxes, copiers, building access systems, and eventually, smart cards.
The Identicator BioEngine and BioLogon software suite uses fingerprint biometrics in conjunction with a depth of enterprise-wide security software applications to provide true user authentication in addition to Intra- and Inter-network security solutions.
''The agreement moves integrated circuit-based biometric identification technology into the marketplace by delivering complete biometric security solutions that combine a highly advanced fingerprint imaging chip and a proven suite of biometric identification application software.
''We see biometric identification as more than just a password replacement technology,'' said Joerg Borchert, vice president of the security and chip card ICs division for Infineon Technologies. ''Bringing biometric user authentication to a wide range of devices promotes the integrity of enterprise networks and enlarges the scope of secure electronic commerce, as well as providing a biometric security solution for additional applications individuals encounter on a daily basis.''
Identix chairman & CEO, Randall C. Fowler, said, ''The continued development of biometric security solutions with silicon technology should contribute to an expansion of the acceptance of biometric security solutions by the IT and PC markets, as well as open up entire new markets. Teaming with a world leader in a solid state security devices such as Infineon helps create a formidable presence for providing biometric security authentication.''
VP and general manager for the IT Security Division, Grant Evans, said, ''Identicator successfully introduced biometric security in IT markets in 1998 with the shipping of the Compaq solution. Teaming with Infineon delivers a broadened and diversified solutions as both the IT and PC industry migrate to biometric security applications.''
Availability of FingerTIP sensor
Infineon has been shipping its FingerTIP biometric sensor since August 1999. An evaluation kit designed to facilitate the FingerTIP sensor's integration into any application is available. It comprises a FingerTIP module, a power supply, PC drivers and a software development kit including biometric algorithms for fingerprint recognition.
Documentation covers all subjects relevant to FingerTIP sensor-based product design including electronic characteristics, mechanical specifications, software development manuals and sample program code. The kit runs on PCs supporting the Microsoft Windows® (Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT) operating system.
About Identix
Identix Incorporated, www.Identix.com, is a leader in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing products for the capture and/or comparison of fingerprints for security, anti-fraud, law enforcement, physical access and other applications. Through Identicator Technology, Inc., Identix's IT Security division, Identix designs and develops proprietary, cost-effective, security products and solutions for personal identification and verification.
Identicator technology provides a wide range of applications to markets that include corporate enterprise security, Intranet, extranet, and Internet access and security, E-commerce, government and law enforcement agencies. Identix's partners include Compaq (NYSE:CPQ - news), Key Tronic (Nasdaq:KTCC - news), SCM Micro (Nasdaq:SCMM - news), Cherry GmbH and Unisys (NYSE:UIS - news).
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies (formerly Siemens Semiconductor Group), based in Munich, Germany, was ranked by dataquest as the 10th largest semiconductor manufacturer worldwide in 1998. Infineon provides semiconductor solutions for the telecommunications, automotive, data networking, consumer electronics, and industrial automation markets.
The company's comprehensive product portfolio includes integrated system ICs, memory and high frequency components, smart card ICs, discrete semiconductors and power ICs, sensors and fiber optic components. In fiscal 1997/98, the company achieved sales of $3.8 billion (DM 6.7 billion) and employed 25,000 people worldwide. Further information is available at infineon.com.
Infineon Technologies Corporation is the company's North American subsidiary, with headquarters at 1730 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112. For more information, contact 888/463-4636; 408/501-6000.
The statements in this release that relate to future plans, events or performances are forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Companies caution investors that any forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions in the markets where the companies operate, orders from and contracts with commercial customers, orders from and contracts with government entities, availability of government funds, risks associated with the Companies allowances, partnerships and joint ventures, demand for the Companies products and services, development of markets for the Companies products and services and other risks as identified in Identix's SEC filings. The Companies state no intention and undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Note to Editors: Infineon and the Infineon logo are are trademarks of Infineon Technologies AG. FingerTIP is a trademark of Infineon technologies AG. BioEngine and BioLogon are trademarks of Identicator Technology Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Contact:
Identix Incorporated
Investor and Public Relations Dept., 408/731-2021
or
Infineon Technologies
Jacob Rice, 408/501-6390
jacob.rice@infineon.com |
