Prison Beatings Lawsuit Will Move Forward

Posted by dtaitano 9:32 pm Categories: Legal. Tags: , , .
NC Central Prison

Banner Written by Blake Hodge    Friday, 15 November 2013 13:10 RALEIGH –A federal judge wants to hear more about allegations inmates were severely beaten by guards at North Carolina’s Central Prison. Eight inmates filed suit alleging guards at the prison would take the handcuffed prisoners out of sight of security cameras and beat them. Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Boyle ordered that the case will go forward, after the state had asked the case be dismissed. Lawyers for North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services will now have access to state records and be allowed to conduct interviews with prison staff in preparation for the upcoming trial. One lawyer, Elizabeth Simpson, says, “What he said, is that we have presented enough that we should be able to get discovery and we should be able to have a chance to prove our case. What the state wanted to do was to shut it down. And Judge Boyle said no, let’s go forward, let’s find out what happened.” The lawsuit alleges officers beat inmates,resulting in inmate injuries that include broken bones, concussions, and a shattered hip. Last Updated on Friday, 15 November 2013 13:17 Banner Banner

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Spring-Ford SB Approves Security Cameras At Ram Stadium

Posted by dtaitano 9:28 pm Categories: Customer Implementations. Tags: .
spring ford rams

The plan is part of a larger upgrade of district security cameras. The Spring-Ford Area School District Board of Directors voted on Oct. 28 to approve the addition of cameras in Ram Stadium as part of a district-wide security upgrade. These cameras, expected to cost roughly $22,000, will be added to the $206,489 approved for a security system upgrade that was approved in September. Roughly $300,000 is in reserve for the project. Dehnert objected to the project at the Sept. 23, saying that he would rather see a comprehensive plan for all cameras and security in the district in place before purchasing systems piecemeal. “One of the problems we have today is that we have a piecemeal system that does not work,” Dehnert said. Board members Willard Cromley, Bernard Pettit, Dawn Heine, Ed Dressler and Clara Gudolonis voted in favor of installing the cameras in the stadium; Tom DiBello, Joe Ciresi, Mark Dehnert and Julie Mullin voted against the measure, according to the Pottstown Mercury . In September, DiBello agreed that a comprehensive plan on safety was necessary so that the cameras could fit into larger-scale plan.  Currently, the plan is to convert the district’s security cameras to a digital system, and then to install additional cameras. According to The Mercury, other sports teams that use the stadium, such as the Spring City Legion, are unable to contribute to the project. 

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Steve Duin: Portland Police Re-Dedicate Themselves To Video Surveillance

Posted by dtaitano 9:23 pm Categories: Law Enforcement. Tags: , , , , .
portland police

They were walking, Bill Merritt and Peggy McClure, in the damp shadow of the communication tower atop Council Crest when they bumped into a crew laboring over a manhole and the underground fiber-optic cable that rolls down the hillside. What’s going on? they asked.  “A dedicated line,” one of the ditch-diggers said, “running from the tower down to the Portland police station.” “Great,” McClure said.  “So, that means we’ll have quicker response time on 9-1-1 calls?” Not at all, she was told. This line was dedicated to something else altogether.  “Police surveillance.  It will pick up signals from police-operated aircraft.  Which are sorta like manned drones.” Merritt and McClure have been together for 20 years and married for the last seven, most of which they spent abroad while McClure was managing Peace Corps operations in Botswana and Morocco. For all they knew, this broadband operation had already been vetted in council sessions, neighborhood meetings and newspaper columns.  “We’ve been out of the loop,” Merritt conceded. “But what are we surveilling?” Whatever strikes the fancy of Portland police, it turns out.  And once those fiber-optic connections are completed at the Portland Building, the bureau will be able to stream the video to anyone who wants it. “We do not have drones.  We are not getting drones.  Period,” Sgt. Pete Simpson insisted Thursday.  The bureau’s Cessnas, on the other hand, have been around for years:  “We use them for tactical situations.  Block searches.  Missing persons.  If we’re doing a gang cool-down […]

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DA Trumpets Upgraded Security At Western Psych

Posted by dtaitano 9:18 pm Categories: Customer Implementations, Surveillance. Tags: , .
western psych

TribLIVE By Margaret Harding Published: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, 12:01 a.m. Updated 17 hours ago Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. touted the security improvements made at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic following a tour of the Oakland facility on Friday morning. “It’s outstanding,” Zappala said while standing outside the new main entrance on De Soto Street. “It’s really state of the art.” The redesigned lobby will open next week, UPMC spokeswoman Gloria Kreps said. Many of the upgrades are ones Zappala sought in the aftermath of a fatal shooting in the clinic on March 8, 2012. Former graduate student John Shick, 30, opened fire in the building, killing a worker and wounding five others before University of Pittsburgh police fatally shot him. Zappala’s office hired consulting firms J.P. Hudson & Associates and Condortech Services to review safety procedures in response to the incident. A Condortech report released in November 2012 recommended UPMC spend $2.1 million on security upgrades at Western Psych. Some of the improvements include: relocating and upgrading the main security command and operations center, installing all-in-one security card and fingerprint readers for staff and installing a new video surveillance system, among others. “The doors on the first floor lock down, so your movement is restricted,” Zappala said. “Shick could move through the entire first floor. They’ve stopped that.” Kreps said the security enhancements include: an armed officer always on duty, a walk-through magnetometer in the lobby all visitors must pass through upon entering the building, […]

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Guards At Canadian Prisons Videoed Hitting Inmates

Posted by dtaitano 12:26 pm Categories: Surveillance. Tags: , , .
prisonguard

TORONTO, Nov. 15 (UPI) — Security cameras at prisons in Ontario and Quebec recorded guards hitting inmates, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The CBC, in a report Thursday, said it and Radio Canada had obtained the videos. While the guards whose actions were videotaped have been dismissed and even criminally charged, surveillance cameras are not universal inside Canadian prisons, the CBC said. Howard Sapers, Canada’s federal prison watchdog, also said in a report that the cameras are ineffective about 70 percent of the time because of poor quality, breakdowns and incompatible systems. Inmate advocates say the country needs to install security cameras throughout its prison system and to make sure their recordings are usable. “It’s terrorism. I mean these guys are abusing their authority and they’re terrorizing people who are under their control,” Kevin Egan, a lawyer in Ontario said of the beatings. “The purpose of our prison system is to rehabilitate. And it may be that it’s not just inmates that need to be rehabilitated, but the guards.” Jean-Claude Van Damme performs ‘epic split’ in Volvo ad British couple leaves sassy apology note to burglars $10 million bra unveiled at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Sony launches PlayStation 4; Hundreds in line Brandi Brandt faces drug charges in Australia Lily Allen rejects ‘Hard Out Here’ racism claims Outback comes to West Texas when pet kangaroo gets loose in Midland County Jerry Lawler challenges Andy Kaufman to rematch — if he’s alive London firefighters urge ‘common sense’ after penis freed […]

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Bank of America Looks To Biometric ATMs In New Patent Application

Posted by dtaitano 12:16 pm Categories: Biometrics. Tags: , , , .
biometric-atm

biometric-atm November 15, 2013 –  The Bank of America has pushed through a patent application, which describes a biometric ATM system. Reported in ATM Marketplace , the patent was submitted to the USPTO in 2012, and published recently in 2013. Specifically, this patent application  outlines a system for authenticating users with a combination of a pin-code and fingerprint biometrics. The design of a biometric ATM and the patent application certainly isn’t very specific, and at this point it looks like the BofA is staking out some territory for development, and doesn’t want to leave much room for competition. “[A] fingerprint scanner for use in the systems and methods of the invention may use optical fingerprint imaging, ultrasonic sensors, capacitance sensors (passive or active) and/or any other suitable method to capture the digital image of a fingerprint,” is just an example of some of the unspecific language contained in this application. “Any suitable method for PIN validation and fingerprint validation may be used to validate the input PIN and fingerprints.” It’s been widely acknowledged that payment systems and ATMs are a coming wave for biometric integrations, and it’s interesting to see the BofA making a move. There are a few places where biometric ATMs are already a reality. Reported previously , the Central Bank of Nigeria has teamed up with Dermalog for biometric POS systems as well as for biometric ATMs. Likewise, in Kenya, Tracom Services has launched a new line of fingerprint ATMs in Nairobi.    Leave a Comment comments […]

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CaughtOnCamera: New Jersey Mall Surveillance Video Released

Posted by dtaitano 12:12 pm Categories: CaughtOnCamera. Tags: , , , .
Newly released surveillance video shows and armed Richard Shoop walking calming through a mall in New Jersey before taking his own life. (Source: WNBC/CNN)

Newly released surveillance video shows and armed Richard Shoop walking calming through a mall in New Jersey before taking his own life. (Source: WNBC/CNN) PARAMUS, NJ (CNN) – Calm, cool and collected. That’s how the shooter who opened fire in a New Jersey mall appears in newly released surveillance video. On the video, Richard Shoop is seen roaming the mall, weapon in hand, moments before taking his own life. Initially, there were reports the shooter had fired at security cameras, which turned out to be untrue. Five of cameras caught the shooter, Richard Shoop, 20, as he moved through the mall firing several rounds. In the incident earlier in November, horrified shoppers hid behind doorways, panicked employees ran for their lives, as the shooter – cloaked in all black and wearing a helmet – stalked the aisles of the Garden State Plaza carrying a rifle modified to look like an AK47. Chilling 911 calls were released just last week. Caller 1: Somebody is shooting up Garden State Plaza right now. 911 operator: Somebody is shooting? Caller 1: Somebody is shooting up Garden State Plaza right now and I’m in the bathroom at (inaudible). 911 operator: OK, stay on the phone with me, sweetheart. Callers cowered in hiding spots throughout the mall. Hundreds remained trapped for hours. 911 operator: How many people are in the bathroom with you? Caller 2: There’s three. 911 operator: Are they in your store? Caller 2: Yes. Hundreds remained trapped for hours. Caller 3: I’m […]

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IndigoVision Announces 33% Increase Camera Sales And Record First Quarter Results

Posted by dtaitano 12:32 pm Categories: Corporate News, Surveillance. Tags: , .
indigovision_group_125997

By IndigoVision NewsDesk on November 15, 2013 indigovision_group_125997 IndigoVision announce record first quarter results, a 33% increase of camera sales and, several major project wins including the overlay system for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. “Market feedback on the IndigoVision cameras has been magnificent,” stated Marcus Kneen, IndigoVision Chief Executive Officer, “Our Enhanced HD cameras consistently win technical shoot-outs by delivering better quality video in even the most challenging lighting conditions and were voted one of the best new security products at the 2013 ASIS trade show in Chicago.” “IndigoVision continues to invest significantly in technology and will shortly announce the launch of a 20 Megapixel camera, the first ultra-high resolution camera that delivers the video quality that the security industry demands. Feedback from initial installations has been extremely positive with the camera outperforming competitors due to stunning picture detail and an unparalleled image speed of 120 Megapixels per second.” IndigoVision also announced major project wins for city surveillance in Malaysia, Sao Paulo International Airport and the third project for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. These project wins continue IndigoVision’s established pedigree for complex security projects and events, with IndigoVision’s technology being deployed for the FIFA World Cup in 2006 and 2010 as well as every Olympic games since 2004. Group revenues for the first quarter were 14% higher than the corresponding period last year. Margins were maintained in line with last year and, as planned, overheads increased following last year’s 30% increase in sales and pre […]

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March Networks Wins Outstanding Technology Award

Posted by dtaitano 12:52 am Categories: Corporate News, Technologies. Tags: , , , .
march_networks

OTTAWA , Nov. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – March Networks ® , a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario , is proud to announce that it is the 2013 winner of the Outstanding Technology Recognition Award – High Tech as recognized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Ottawa Section. The professional association will present the company with the award for its “Advanced Innovation for the Greater Public Good” tonight during its 69 th Annual General Meeting banquet at the Ottawa Convention Centre. “We selected March Networks for this prestigious award based on the company’s demonstrated product innovation, competitive success in international markets, and ongoing commitment to high-quality research and development,” said Dr. Rami Abielmona , Chair, IEEE Ottawa Section. “As a leading provider of IP video surveillance solutions, March Networks’ products play a critical role in helping commercial and government organizations worldwide identify unknown criminals, piece together events, locate missing people, and deter theft, fraud, vandalism and other crimes.” Since 2000, March Networks has developed integrated solutions that address an increasing global need for sophisticated video security, risk mitigation, fraud detection and loss prevention capabilities. With more than 40 research and development staff based in Ottawa and close to 400 worldwide, the company is focused on delivering innovative products that help organizations better protect employees, customers and assets. Locally, the company’s systems are used to safeguard multiple sites including the Canadian Tire Centre sports and entertainment facility (formerly Scotiabank Place), the Canadian […]

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Facial Recognition Software Changes The Face Of British Retail And Advertising

Posted by dtaitano 12:36 am Categories: Retail, Video Analytics. Tags: , , , .

Tesco’s have revealed that it will be installing facial recognition software in 450 of its petrol station forecourts. This software, displayed as a digital screen, will be located by the checkouts and aims to identify whether individuals in the queue are male or female, takes a rough estimate of how old they are and how long they have been looking at the displayed advertisements. The information gathered is thought to be around 97% correct. The overall aim of this is to process the details in real time and send the information to advertisers so they can tailor the adverts to appropriate times of day. For instance, coffee could be advertised in the morning and then the ads can switch to other relevant products throughout the day. This software is also advanced enough to monitor who is in the queue and who isn’t. If it detects that the majority is female then the adverts being shown will switch to adverts tailored to women. The same goes if there were mostly men detected. This technology is being provided by Amscreen, Lord Sugar’s company. The system is called ‘Optimeyes’ which is from a French company known as Quividi. Tesco aims to install this software in their stores as soon as possible. This can seem quite alarming, however according to an article in the Telegraph no video footage is actually recorded. Once your face has been scanned for its information you as an individual are erased. So no facial database is stored, only […]

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Situation Awareness System Market Worth $168.25 Billion by 2020

Posted by dtaitano 12:31 am Categories: Market Research. Tags: , , , , .
research

Company News: Page (1) of 1 – 11/07/13 email article print page Situation Awareness System Market (by Products & Applications) Worth $168.25 Billion by 2020   By PRWEB (PRWEB) November 07, 2013 According to a new market research report “Situation Awareness System Market by Products (Access Control, PSIM, HMI, Video Systems, CBRN), Verticals (Homeland Security, Defense), Applications (Robots, Business Intelligence, Connected Cars, Smart Infrastructure) & Geography (2013 – 2020)”, the total market is expected to generate revenue of $168.25 billion by 2020 growing at an estimated CAGR of 10.13% from 2013-2020. Browse 76 market data tables with 71 figures spread through 281 pages and in-depth TOC on “Situation Awareness System Market. http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/situation-awareness-system-market-1272.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. Situation Awareness System Market the beginning of a safe and secured environment characterized by new SAS products and components in the market, increasing the use of technology integrated with software and hardware. The main aim behind SAS is to review and synthesize the relevant literature on situation awareness which includes various descriptions of the constituents of situation awareness and the information on the cognitive variables. This report presents the future of the global market & industry from both technical and market-oriented perspectives with techno-market oriented roadmaps till 2020. This report describes the market trends, drivers, restraints and opportunities of the Situation Awareness System Market and forecasts the market till2020, based on products, components, application, industry verticals and geography. The report presents a detailed analysis of product market such […]

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NEC Establishes ‘Safer Cities’ Strategy For Global Expansion Of Public Safety Business

Posted by dtaitano 12:23 am Categories: Critical Infrastructure, Surveillance. Tags: , , .
NEC safe cities

NEC Establishes ‘Safer Cities’ Strategy for Global Expansion of Public Safety Business NEC Corporation (JCN Newswire) 2013-11-07 Tokyo, Nov 7, 2013 – ( JCN Newswire ) – NEC Corporation has combined its competitive technologies, products, and services to establish “Safer Cities,” a new strategy for global expansion of its public safety business, while launching sales of globally available solutions in seven business domains. Aiming to contribute to the solution of various social challenges, NEC announced a shift of its business focus to Solutions for Society in its 2015 Mid-term Management Plan announced in April this year. NEC will offer advanced social infrastructure utilizing ICT to realize a safe, secure, efficient, and equal society through this management plan. NEC is also promoting its safety business as one of the pillars of the global growth strategy for its Solutions for Society business. To date, NEC has offered a wide range of safety solutions that combine state-of-the-art technologies, such as biometrics, sensors, and big data processing technologies. In addition to these solutions, NEC is currently developing common solution models, to fast track the global expansion of its safety business, while enhancing its overseas system integration capabilities and global customer base. Also, in April this year, NEC established a Global Safety Division (GSD) in Singapore to promote its safety business. Furthermore, in September, it established the NEC Laboratories Singapore (NLS) as the center of its global solutions research in Asia. Through NLS, NEC has formed flexible research collaborations with local research institutions and […]

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Basler AG Report Figures For First Nine Months of 2013

Posted by dtaitano 12:09 am Categories: Corporate News. Tags: , , .

11.11.2013 / 06:28 ——————————————————————— – Incoming orders: EUR 51.1 million (previous year: EUR 44.5 million, +15 %) – Sales: EUR 49.1 million (previous year: EUR 41.8 million, +17 %) – Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT): EUR 6.5 million (previous year: EUR 5.0 million, +31 %) – Pre-tax earnings: EUR 5.9 million (previous year: EUR 4.2 million, +43 %) – Pre-tax return: 12 % (previous year: 10 %) Ahrensburg, November 11, 2013 – BASLER AG, one of the leading global manufacturers of industrial cameras, is presenting today final figures for the first nine months of 2013. Incoming orders for the group amounted to EUR 51.1 million in the first nine months of 2013 (previous year: EUR 44.5 million, +15 %). The group’s sales revenues amounted to EUR 49.1 million and were thus 17 % higher than the previous year’s figure of EUR 41.8 million. The gross profit margin increased by almost 4 percentage points to 49.3 % (previous year: 45.7 %). Earnings before taxes (EBT) for the group increased by 43 % to EUR 5.9 million (previous year: EUR 4.2 million). The pre-tax return amounted to 12 % (previous year: 10 %). ‘Given continuing restrained macroeconomic conditions, the incoming order rate, promising market launch of important new products, and our strong sales positioning give us great confidence for the future’, explains Dietmar Ley (CEO). Due to these positive results, Basler increased its profit forecast for the financial year 2013 in mid-October and will henceforth assume a pre-tax return of […]

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Global Security Products Market Worth $23.4 Billion In 2013

Posted by dtaitano 11:56 pm Categories: Market Research. Tags: , , .
market research

The total value of world production of security products at factory gate prices in 2013 was $23.4 billion. Of this Video Surveillance products at $12.2 billion took a 52% share. Combined product sales grew by 8% during the year with growth in the Video Surveillance sector achieving 12%. It is the growth in IP Video Surveillance at around 30% that has made the major contribution and pushed up the demand for security equipment. Memoori’s report shows that the industry is wringing out more sales and investment dollars than could be expected given the poor trading conditions across the globe. It’s robust performance is not the direct result of increased concern about crime and terrorism but is also due to the fact that the industry is delivering products and services that meet customer value propositions such as increasing productivity and reducing operating costs whilst delivering ROI. The report also shows that acclimatizing to a rapidly changing business environment, reshaped by fast moving technology and new competitors from outside the traditional business leveraging their own expertise, will require clear vision of the present and future business opportunities and skilful implementation of appropriate strategies. About the Report At 213 pages with 23 charts and tables, The Physical Security Business in 2013 report filters out all the important conclusions, supported with facts, as to what is shaping the future of the security industry. You can learn more at the reports website; http://www.memoori.com/portfolio/the-physical-security-business-in-2013/ About Memoori Memoori is an independent market research and consultancy provider. […]

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Seattle Latest City To Install DHS Surveillance Equipment

Posted by dtaitano 11:53 pm Categories: City Surveillance. Tags: , , .
Seattle Latest City to Install DHS Surveillance Equipment

Seattle Latest City to Install DHS Surveillance Equipment Add Seattle to the list of local governments taking money from the Department of Homeland Security to put their citizens under federal surveillance. Seattle newspaper The Stranger reports : If you’re walking around downtown while looking at a smartphone, you will probably see at least one — and more likely two or three — Wi-Fi networks named after intersections: “4th&Seneca,” “4th&Union,” “4th&University,” and so on. That is how you can see the Seattle Police Department’s new wireless mesh network, bought from a California-based company called Aruba Networks, whose clients include the Department of Defense, school districts in Canada, oil-mining interests in China, and telecommunications companies in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps wiring the city with high-tech, federally funded surveillance equipment is what Seattle mayor meant when he described the city’s budget as “a moral document. It puts resources behind our vision of the city we want to see.” Apparently, part of those resources are coming from the federal government and they are earmarked for use to putting the city under the vision of the Department of Homeland Security. When pressed for details about his department’s new monitoring agreement with DHS, Seattle Police Department Detective Monty Moss said he “is not comfortable answering policy questions when we do not yet have a policy,” as reported by The Stranger . The paper continues: But, Detective Moss added, the SPD “is actively collaborating with the mayor’s office, city council, law department, and the ACLU on a […]

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Voice Biometric Startup InCights Mobile Raises Angel Funding

Posted by dtaitano 11:45 pm Categories: Biometrics. Tags: , .
Voice Biometric Startup InCights Mobile Raises Angel Funding

Voice Biometric Startup InCights Mobile Raises Angel Funding InCights Mobile Solutions, a provider of voice biometrics software and delivery systems has raised R1 Cr angel funding led by a group of investors including Anand Lunia of India Quotient, Iamwire states. The company plans to use the funds to expand outside India and it is also looking to shift to US. The fund will also be utilized launch new services in the gaming and entertainment sector. Hyderabad-based Incights Mobile Solution was launched in 2010. It offers a voice biometrics engine and associated services, where it uses a person’s voice as the unique identifier, enabling real-time identity verification. Its voice Bio-metrics service can be used to provide protection against identity theft, protected access to information, secure login for remote workers, secure automated authentication, call center transactions or mobile commerce connections. The company was among the 30 startups accelerated by Nasscom.. The startup is supported by Microsoft BizSpark, IAN and IIIT-H. The current applications of the startups includes Contact center caller verification, IVR Caller verification, Mobile app authentication, Web transaction validation. According to the survey conducted, smartphone users have grown frustrated with current authentication methods and 90% of them are eager to use voice biometrics in place of existing methods. The overall market for voice and face biometrics is expected to reach nearly $3 billion by the end of 2018. Like the various biometric options, voice-based identity authentication can be used in tracking attendance, financial transactions and a host of others where […]

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US Government Intel Researchers ?Radically Rxpand? Facial Recognition Capabilities

Posted by dtaitano 11:41 pm Categories: Video Analytics. Tags: , , , , .
Spencer Platt / Getty Images / AFP

Spencer Platt / Getty Images / AFP The United States intelligence community’s research arm is set to launch a program that will thoroughly broaden the capabilities of biometric facial recognition software in order to establish an individual’s identity. The Janus program of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency (IARPA) will begin in April 2014 in an effort to “radically expand the range of conditions under which automated face recognition can establish identity,” according to documents released by the agency over the weekend. Janus “seeks to improve face recognition performance using representations developed from real-world video and images instead of from calibrated and constrained collections. During daily activities, people laugh, smile, frown, yawn and morph their faces into a broad variety of expressions. For each face, these expressions are formed from unique skeletal and musculature features that are similar through one’s lifetime. Janus representations will exploit the full morphological dynamics of the face to enable better matching and faster retrieval.” Current facial recognition relies mostly on full-frontal, aligned facial views. But, in the words of Military & Aerospace Electronics, Janus will fuse “the rich spatial, temporal, and contextual information available from the multiple views captured by security cameras, cell phone cameras, news video, and other sources referred to as ‘media in the wild.’” In addition, Janus will take into account aging and incomplete or ambiguous data for its recognition assessment goals. IARPA was created in 2006 and is a division of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The […]

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