Panasonic launches revolutionary biometric security device—Iris Recognition Camera

Panasonic launches revolutionary biometric security device—Iris Recognition Camera—and an Interactive Electronic Whiteboard at the WORKSPECTRUM 2006

Delhi, December 20, 2006: Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., (India Branch Office) brings its five-city exhibition WORKSPECTRUM 2006 to Delhi today. Panasonic WORKSPECTRUM 2006 aims at displaying not just the technological innovation and prowess but also the product diversity that the brand has on offer when it comes to redefining workspaces through the best in office automation, communications, security and audio-visual solutions. Leveraging on this unique customer and channel interaction platform, Panasonic also announced the launch and availability of new products in India including the biometric access control and security device—the Iris Recognition Camera System (BM-ET330)—and a revolutionary electronic whiteboard called the Interactive Panaboard (UB-8325).

According to Mr. Anil Rijhwani, Country Head, Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. (India Branch Office), “Our office product spectrum being diverse enough, with machines that find utility from reception to the boardroom, presenting all of them at one time and that too under one roof was a daunting task. However, through WORKSPECTRUM 2006, we have accomplished this successfully enough. We’ve been receiving a phenomenal response for our products bring unparalleled cost and efficiency benefits to the end-customer.”

Mr. Chander Kohli, Chief Operating Officer, Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., (India Branch Office) said, “Panasonic WORKSPECTRUM 2006 presents our buyers and resellers a unique opportunity to witness the world’s best technology at work for they can test run the latest products and get a first hand user experience of the rich functionality packed in. The new product launches strengthen our product portfolio further and are sure to change the way people work.”

On display at WORKSPECTRUM 2006, besides the newly launched products, are key telephone systems including IP-PABX systems, cordless phones, fax machines, audio-conferencing system, network copiers, plasma screens, world’s smallest projectors, world’s fastest wireless transmission projectors and the legendary Toughbooks—field and business mobile computers (rugged, semi-rugged and ultra portable range of laptops).

Panasonic’s Iris Recognition Camera System (BM-ET330) , a biometric device, provides a highly effective ‘front-end’ to access control and security solution and extend its capabilities beyond surveillance and monitoring. The biometric technology overcomes many of the disadvantages of conventional ID and verification techniques such as keys, ID cards and passwords. Panasonic BM-ET330 reads the iris of the eye to verify the identity of authorized persons with virtually no chance of misidentification. It relies on the complex and intricate patterns in the iris, which are unique to each individual. With a specialized Panasonic video camera, a detailed close-up of the iris of each authorized person is captured into the system. The biometric software then makes a template or ‘map’ of each person’s iris pattern, and stores it in the system. To verify identity later, an individual simply looks into a specialized Panasonic iris camera located at a designated access point. The system compares the patterns in the individual’s iris against the templates stored in the system. If there’s a match, the identity is verified. The database of iris template data is secured by 3DES encryption, to guard against theft or misuse of the data. It involves no lasers, bright lights, or any hazardous technology at all. It’s as safe to use as any video camera besides complying with worldwide standards.

Compared to conventional techniques such as ID cards, keys, and passwords, the Panasonic Iris Reader can be much less costly to administer and operate, and can easily accommodate larger numbers of personnel as the needs grow (up to 5,000 users) . What’s more, unlike ID cards and passwords, it is almost impossible to ’spoof’ or to counterfeit. Compared to other types of biometric systems, the Panasonic Iris Reader is more accurate and precise. With a false acceptance ratio of 0.001% to 0.0001%, it is 100 to 1,000 times more accurate than spot fingerprinting; 1,000 to 10,000 times more accurate than hand-print verification and 3,000% more accurate than voice-prints.

Panasonic Iris Reader can verify identities automatically, without attendants, in just 0.8 seconds. No contact with the iris cameras is required, which eliminates wear and tear, and contamination issues. It comes in a tamper-proof design and finds ready application in offices (documents and data storage rooms, safes, boardrooms, secure meeting rooms etc.); laboratories and factories (drug and dangerous or precious material storage rooms or for night and holiday access control); financial institutions; airports and harbors (staff gates and immigration checkpoints) etc. It circumvents the need for ID cards and passwords completely such that the management does not have to worry about ID cards being lost, damaged or stolen or for that matter passwords being forgotten or broken into. It comes with a built-in real-time clock for time and attendance applications and is supported by a global network of access and control manufacturers and solution providers.

Panasonic’s Interactive Panaboard (UB-8325) is an interactive electronic whiteboard, a projector screen and an electronic print board with printer rolled into one. This all-in-one presentation device makes training sessions, seminars and meetings come alive with its revolutionary features. Besides enhancing the productivity and time efficiency of the participants, it enables everyone to be on the same page i.e. leave the meeting with the same set of information. Users can project their presentations onto the Panaboard by connecting their PC via USB and LCD projector. Its screen displays crisp data and video images with minimal light reflection. Panaboard incorporates ultrasonic and infrared technology to accurately sense the screen position. The electronic pen that comes along with Panaboard, and the ‘on-screen’ keyboard feature, allows them to control the PC application right from the board itself (sift through the Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation or toggle between different Windows ® applications) just like a normal computer mouse.

The electronic pen can also be used to write and annotate i.e. highlight keywords and subjects, even incorporate comments and feedback in different colors. Adding notes to the presentation has never been easier as they are displayed on the Panaboard, as well as the connected PC, for all to see in real-time. When users need to modify their notes, they can simply use the included eraser to make the changes. Note taking becomes a thing of the past with Panaboard. Panaboard’s drawing tool makes use of the electronic pen and the eraser to enhance the presentations, spreadsheets, graphs and other projected applications. Anything written on the Panaboard can be recorded and played back on the PC in the order it is written. Using the handwriting recognition technology, handwritten words and numbers can be converted into digital text and imported into the different Windows application (English and German languages currently supported).

The collaborated presentation can be saved and disseminated amidst all attendees through email as an attached file or through black & white prints from the in-built plain paper printer. Remote participants in a session (present on the network) can store the presented material for future reference. It also provides a cost-effective teleconferencing solution when used in conjunction with Microsoft® NetMeeting®—drawing ideas from all of your resources around the world simultaneously. The integrated printer can make 9 copies at a time. Users can combine two pages and print it as one.

Pricing & Availability: Panasonic Iris Recognition Camera System (BM-ET330) and Interactive Panaboard (UB-8325) are available at a MRP of Rs 2,50,000 and Rs 2,00,000 respectively through the authorized dealer and distribution network of Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. (India Branch Office).

About Panasonic

Best known by its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of US$81.44 billion for the year ended March 31, 2005. The company’s shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, New York (NYSE: MC), Euronext Amsterdam and Frankfurt stock exchanges. For more information on the company & the Panasonic brand, visit the company’s website at http://panasonic.co.jp/global/index.html .

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