Atmel Corp.’s FingerChip fingerprint sensor has been selected by Rise Computer for its RX5622 LCD PC. Atmel’s FingerChip solution is based on its unique thermal sensing technology.

It provides fingerprint image capture, >25kv ESD protection, and protection against mechanical and chemical erosion. Atmel’s FingerChip solution as a standard feature enhances consumer friendliness in the RX5622 LCD PC by allowing users to conveniently manage user accounts and passwords and protect data via finger swipes.

Wall, N.J.-based BIO-key International has been awarded a $2 million contract to integrate its biometric technology with a large multi-national technology company. BIO-key will license components of its VST finger matching software to be used on multiple, large international and domestic opportunities. Under the terms of the license agreement, BIO-key received a $2 million order for software licenses that will be delivered during the second and third quarters of the current fiscal year.

New York is going to start issuing Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) with the approval of the Department of Homeland Security. The new license is being developed by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and is anticipated to be available by the end of the summer.

Participation in the EDL project will be voluntary and open to all New York State residents who are United States citizens. The secure document can be used in place of a passport, which will soon be required for all border crossings by next summer.

Accu-Time Systems has released the Color Touch OPTIMUS, part of its global series product line representing next generation human resources solutions. Accu-Time Systems’ Online Personal Time Information Management Utility Station (OPTIMUS) latest addition is the color touch option.

The OPTIMUS works in a variety of applications, including manager functions, employee self-service, and card approval as well as bar code and biometrics. It supports all automatic identification technologies, including bar code, RFID, Proximity, Magnetic, and MIFARE as well as other contactless smart cards, and several biometric technologies.

Health Management of Kansas will begin using eight Schlage HandPunch 3000 biometric terminals in conjunction with the Legiant Timecard System to provide time and attendance reporting at its four long-term care companies. Prior to the new system, Health Management of Kansas was doing time and attendance data collection manually which was very labor intensive.

With Indian Police making it mandatory for cyber cafe owners to verify the identity of its internet users in the aftermath of explosions, a firm has come up with software which creates a database of persons sending e-mails with their biometrics. The software is named CRISH (Customer Registration and Identification) and stores the users photo and fingerprints.

After installing the software, those visiting cyber cafes will be identified as soon as they sit in front of the computer with the help of a web camera. Photographs and fingerprints of users will be automatically stored in a database with date, time and terminal. The software also has anti-hacking provisions making it difficult to tamper with the database.

ZDNet.com is reporting that the Commonwealth Bank in Australia will be installing Cornerstone biometric access control systems throughout the country at its data centers. Cornerstone, supplied by Argus Solutions, uses iris scanning and fingerprint reading to control access to restricted areas.

The systems will be linked to existing infrastructures in Sydney and Melbourne. The bank will be able to manage access at these remote sites from a central location. CommBank is also looking at installing voice biometrics for its member’s phone banking services.

Digitus Biometrics announces a new reseller program, Digitus Alliance, which makes the company’s biometric access control systems available to select integrators throughout the U.S. Each Digitus unit includes two components: a fingerprint reader with keypad for placement outside a door, and a controller located securely behind the locked door.

The networked version uses secure TCP/IP communications between the central management software and remote units installed worldwide for user enrollment, unit management and report generation. Integrators who join the Digitus Alliance Program receive sales-support benefits, including product training, 24/7 technical support and qualified sales leads.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a Request for Information for its US-VISIT Biometric Land Exit Solution. US-VISIT program officials are seeking information to help implement a program to collect biographic and biometric information from travelers when they exit the country by land.

Respondents are asked to identify potential technologies, devices and procedures that could provide a biometrically verified data collection system for any or all of the 167 land ports of entry. Responses are due by July 16. US-VISIT officials plan to hold an industry briefing on June 30 to discuss the solicitation. DHS plans on issuing a request for proposals in January 2009 but there is no guarantee of a contract resulting from the RFI.

A CBS television affiliate in Texas has discovered that lawmakers have been voting more than once on the same bills.

Due to this story breaking, House Speaker Tom Craddick had ordered a committee to study the issue and make recommendations on alternative ways for lawmakers to vote. One such alternative is the use of biometrics. Fingerprints would be needed to cast their vote.