Radio Frequency Identification Technology for Logistics, Tagging and EPC

2,000 sign up for enhanced driver’s license

Thursday, January 24, 2008

In two days more than 2,000 Washington state residents have signed up for appointments to receive the new enhanced driver’s license. The program was introduced on Tuesday.

The ID card will not only serve as a driver’s license for residents but also be a passport card that will enable them to cross land and sea borders. Residents that want the card have to prove citizenship and identity with different documents before it will be issued. Candidates also have to undergo a brief interview.

The card contains a radio-frequency identification chip that holds a unique reference number. That number acts as a pointer back to a secure database which brings up the cardholders’ photo and other information on to border crossing officials.

The Washington Department of Licensing is also using facial recognition technology to try and ensure that the same individual isn’t issued more than one ID. A one to many match is performed and checked against a database of existing license holders.

The enhanced driver’s license is a voluntary program. Residents wishing to participate must pay an additional $15 fee, on top of the $25 renewal fee. [end] 

The U.S. government has settled an infringement case with Leighton Technologies by agreeing to license its smart cards.

Leighton Technologies, a subsidiary of General Patent, filed a case against the federal government in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in January 2010. Leighton alleged that 54 federal agencies used its six smart card patents without authorization. Leighton’s technology was also used in e-passports.

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British Columbia is moving forward with plans to upgrade its CareCard program. According to The Vancouver Sun, the new card will provide access to a variety of regional services including electronic health records, driver license and school registration for children.

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Consumerist reports that Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has written to Apple in hopes of getting the company to pull the “Driver’s License” app from its store.

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A new Morpho company under the Safran group has been launched called MorphoTrust USA.

The new company, which was formed after the acquisition of three divisions and the headquarters of former biometrics developer L-1 Identity Solutions, will serve as an identity solutions provider dedicated to the U.S. market only.

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Datacard Group announced a contract award from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) to upgrade to the Datacard MXD Card Delivery System and MXi Envelope Insertion System for enhanced card delivery and mailing for its driver licenses and identification cards.

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With many states requiring voter ID cards, and if you’re a student, proof of enrollment, some colleges are offering students free cards that will enable them to vote.

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