Immigration Reform and Airport Body Scanners, a Ruse for Biometric National IDs

Biometrics and the Revolution in Air Transport Security

AOptix - International airport management is turning to iris recognition systems from AOptix for fast and effortless passage through high volume checkpoints.

Busy International terminals are turning to solutions from AOptix Technologies when accuracy and high throughput are essential. Finally — the promise of iris recognition biometrics is fulfilled through fast, easy-to-use and highly accurate InSight™ iris recognition systems from AOptix.

Innovation has found a new home at one of Europe's busiest airports. In this "first-of-its-kind" concept for airport security operations, travelers will find that iris recognition from AOptix offers a better passenger identification experience. One where ease-of-use will allow effortless passage through airport checkpoints.

Passengers will simply look at the system, open their eyes and in seconds the system will securely confirm their identity. This "at-a-distance" iris recognition authentication insures that passenger and ticket match every time.

The revolution in air transport security is here. High-throughput iris biometrics is the proven, modern approach to efficient confirmation of passenger to MRTD. Is your Airport Terminal ready for a better concept of operations? Let’s team up to revolutionize your airport operation with a time-saving, non-intrusive solution.

History

AOptix Technologies is the world leader in the commercial development of Adaptive Optics (AO) technology. With roots in astronomical imaging, AOptix is creating new performance standards in commercial and defense wireless communications, and advanced iris recognition biometrics.

Before the invention of Adaptive Optics in the 1990's, astronomical telescopes were limited in spatial resolution by the significant distortion effects of the thermal boundary layers in the atmosphere. Placement atop the mountains of Mauna Kea and Haleakala in Hawaii provided some relief due to the height of these mountains, but these telescopes still performed well below their diffraction limits. The application of Adaptive Optics improved spatial resolution in deep space imaging by up to 20 times as measured by Strehl ratios, thereby revolutionizing deep space imaging. Our founders were leaders in these developments.

The company was founded in 2000 to exploit commercial opportunities of Adaptive Optics technology, and has received funding support from leading venture firms since its inception.

Target Applications and Products

The company is now engaged in three product arenas: defense laser communications (also known as "Lasercom or free space optical communications), commercial laser communications and biometrics.

Integrating targeting, tracking, data transmission and imaging capabilities with a proprietary approach called "Curvature" Adaptive Optics, AOptix has created communications solutions for transmitting data at very high bandwidths without fiber or cable at distances over 100km. Unique to AOptix, these systems adjust for imaging distortions due to heat layer boundaries, airflow turbulence and transceiver motion, allowing deployments in airborne and mobile applications never before possible.

In advanced iris recognition biometrics, Adaptive Optics enables full automation of iris biometric image capture while compensating for subject motion to retain the spatial resolution needed to capture remarkably high-quality iris images. AOptix is redefining the highly promising iris recognition modality, solving the key challenge to widespread deployment, subject human factors or usability.

Technology

The basic principle of Adaptive Optics is the real-time correction of distortions from atmospheric disturbances or object motion. Central to all AO systems are high speed closed loop control systems that optimize optical performance in the presence of wavefront errors, the technical term for optical distortions. Closed loop control measures wavefront errors and then calculates the needed adjustments, which are implemented through actuators such as deformable (or adaptive mirrors), or fast steering mirrors. AOptix designs and manufacturers our own deformable mirrors, which have the capability to change shape at very high speeds.

Advanced targeting and tracking using control loops is a natural extension of AO technology, AOptix has built leadership technological capability in this area, as well, and is utilizing unique and advanced multi-stage control designs.

Board of Directors

Dean E. SennerChairman and CEO

Mr. Senner brings a broad breadth of domestic and international experience in technology, consumer electronics and telecommunications products for both government and commercial markets. Dean was president and CEO of Thales Navigation, Inc. (Magellan GPS Systems), an international company with operations in 13 countries, and over 17,000 retail outlets in more than 100 countries around the world. Dean oversaw the explosive growth of Thales Navigation during his tenure which included the Professional Products division, OEM division, and Consumer Electronics division. In parallel, he served as Chairman of the Board for Navigation Solutions, LLC., a join venture between Thales Navigation and the Hertz Corporation which owned and operated a large fleet of navigation systems in the Hertz rental car fleet under the Hertz NeverLost™ brand.

Dean has also served as an executive in the defense and aerospace industry with Lockheed Martin. During his tenure he was Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems company, developing and operating satellite systems for Direct Broadcast (TV). Fixed and Mobile Satellite (telephony, and Broadband services worldwide. Dean also served as Vice President of Military Satellite Communications Programs for Lockheed Martin developing satellite systems such as MILSTAR, DSCS, GPS IIR, and others. During this time he worked extensively with the Air Force, Navy, Army, and NASA as well as with various special forces, intelligence agencies, and classified customers.

Kevin Compton
Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

Since joining KPCB, Mr. Compton's investments have focused on enterprise software and the telecommunications industry. Kevin serves on several private company boards. Other investments he has led, or served on the board of directors for the partnership include, Audible, Inc., Cable Services Group, Cerent, Citrix Systems, Global Village, Mobile Telecommunications Corporation, ONI Systems, Volterra, VeriSign and Active Software.

The Honorable Daniel S. Goldin

Mr. Goldin is the Founder, President and CEO of the Intellisis Companies, which focus on the development of next -generation computers and high-tech consulting. Previously, as NASA's longest-serving administrator, he directly served three U.S. Presidents. Prior to this, he served as Vice President and General Manager of the TRW Space and Technology Group. He began his career at NASA's Glenn Research Center working on electric propulsion systems for human interplanetary travel. He sits on the Board of Directors of Lucent Technologies and the CDW Corporation and the Board of Trustees of the National Geographic Society.

Tom Goodrich
Partner, DAG Ventures

Before co-founding DAG, Mr. Goodrich was a principal at Bechtel Investments, where he was responsible for overseeing a number of management buyouts of mid-size growth companies and special situation investments. He was formerly a co-founder and Vice President of Dimensional Corporate Finance, Inc., a specialty corporate finance company with significant financial backing from Xerox. Prior to this, Tom served as an independent consultant to the office of the Chairman of Bank of America and as a consultant with the Stanford Research Institute.

Anthony P. Mazzarella
CEO, Advanced Turbine Designs, Inc.

Mr. Mazzarella was the founding CEO of AOptix Technologies, and continues to serve as a director on the board. Mr. Mazzarella possesses over 30 years of experience in general management, technology and finance, and is currently CEO of Advanced Turbine Designs, Inc. Mr. Mazzarella was previously founding investor of MyLife.com, EVP and CFO of iMall, Inc, managing director of Geller & Friend Capital Partners and vice president of The Davis Companies. Mr. Mazzarella also held positions with Twentieth Century Fox, Deloitte & Touche, and The Boeing Company. Mr. Mazzarella serves or has served as a director of Mustang Software, SuperNation, eForce Media, GreatDomains, iMall, Inc, MyLife.com, Advanced Turbine Designs, and PatentVest, Inc.

William Quigley
Partner, Clearstone Venture Partners

Mr. Quigley focuses on Clearstone's communications investments. His areas of investment interest include broadband wireless enabling technologies, operational support systems and communications service innovators. Mr. Quigley joined Clearstone Venture Partners from Mid-Atlantic Venture Funds, where he focused on early-stage communications companies targeting the software, equipment and service sectors. At MAVF, he was responsible for investments in Integrated Chipware, a real time embedded OS developer, Wisor Telecom, an OSS vendor to the CLEC and ISP industry and NexTone Communications. Prior to MAVF, Mr. Quigley spent six years in a variety of operational roles at The Walt Disney Company, and was a Senior Consultant with Arthur Andersen's Financial Services Group.

Steve Wertheimer
Founder, W Capital Partners

Steve Werthheimer is a founding partner of W Capital Partners. Steve brings 25 years of experience in investment banking and principal investments. Steve founded and managed a distressed debt investment fund and has particular expertise in corporate turnarounds, restructurings and recapitalizations.