ASIA : OMRON Corporation, a global leader in automation, sensing and control technology, demonstrated the 'OKAO Vision Face Recognition Sensor' at the 'Security Show Japan 2005', held March 2nd to 4th at the Tokyo Big Sight. The new system features face-recognition technology for camera-enabled cell phones and other devices as an alternative to passwords or fingerprint scanners for security and access control. However, as mobile units enabled with the 'OKAO Vision Face Recognition Sensor' require no additional hardware, 'OKAO' technology offers a biometric security software solution at a reduced cost.

"OMRON developed a new algorithm which classifies the features of the eyes, nose and mouth. The technology detects 80 points on the face," explained Mr. Masato Kawade, Senior Manager of Sensing & Control Technology Lab., at the Security Show 2005. "As OKAO is a software solution, and doesn't require any additional hardware, we feel there is a large potential in overseas markets."

The new sensor is made possible with OMRON's 'OKAO Vision' core company sensor technology, which allows the new technology to transcend previous limits in memory capacity and processing ability by successfully downsizing and speeding up the algorithm. The sensor tests successfully more than 99 times in 100, and is fully Symbian, BREW, embedded Linux, and ITRON OS compatible. Data registration measures 1.5 KB per photo, while memory usage measures just ROM 450 KB or RAM 370 KB. Full processing time is approximately one second with MSM 6500.

Users register their own face image to their unit by taking a picture of themselves with the unit's camera. OMRON's 'OKAO Vision' technology converts the picture into a face-print that takes up about 1.5K bytes of storage space. To verify identity, users take picture of themselves again. The 'OKAO Vision Face Recognition Sensor' detects the user and unlocks the unit in a process taking less than a second from snapping the photograph. OKAO requires no adjustment to the camera position when taking the photo. If the face is included in the photo, the sensor will detect the owner automatically.

"The reaction has been very big from companies in Japan and around the world. Many manufacturers have contacted us about 'OKAO Face Recognition', and we are assured that this is a very exciting technology with global potential," said Takayuki Nakamura, of OMRON Corporate Brand Communications Division. "This technology is commercially available today. OMRON has moved to the marketing phase, and introducing this technology to mobile phone manufacturers. When they move on the decision to introduce this technology to their mobile units, then this technology will be in the consumer's hands."

"Pricing for 'OKAO Face Recognition' technology will depend on quantities and applications," added Mr.Nakamura. "Details are becoming clearer through the sales and marketing process."