Lockface: USB drive that uses face recognition to verify users [Face Recognition]

A Japanese company called Futen (they don’t have a website) is selling a USB flash drive that uses face recognition technology to check the identity of users. Needless to say, the so-called Lockface only works with your computer’s web cam.

The first thing to do is to register a number of pictures of your face. After that, the Lockface verifies your face every time you need to access data on it (the verification process takes about a second). The USB drive doesn’t require extra software to be downloaded or installed.

Alternatively, you can also use a password, completely ignoring the face recognition function of the device. It uses 256-bit AES to encrypt the data. Futen says the device has an error rate of about 2% (it verifies the “wrong” person in 1.91% of cases and won’t verify the right person in 1.98% of cases).

The first version will hold 4GB of memory and is sized at 22×4×55mm. The Lockface costs $110 in Japan (where it’s already on the market). Futen is planning to bring models holding more memory in the near future.

I suggest you contact the Japan Trend Shop, Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya in case you live outside Japan and you’re interested in getting one.

[CrunchGear via Excite News (JP)]

Face Recognition Door Lock Thwarts Bad Relatives and Employees [Biometrics]

Actually, this bit of business is designed to keep track of the comings and goings of employees using facial recognition instead of punchcards, but there is no reason why you can't use it to protect the house during the holidays.
Model CVJB-G107 features dual cameras (creating a 3D image that prevents false matches using a simple 2D photograph) , night vision, a 3.5 inch TFT display screen, touch keypad, USB and Ethernet port for TCP/IP connections, the ability to register up to 500 faces, and a verification process that supposedly takes less than a second. Using all of this it can store up to 150,000 attendance records of employees, as well as determine which of your relatives are allowed to attend the holiday party this year.
[Gizmodo via Chinavision via TRFJ]