StevesPlace

Ford Running Boards - Need Identification

2009-03-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Click the image for a larger view.

Looking for some help in identifying these running boards marked with the Ford logo. Any guesses out there?

Final post

2008-07-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

Wishing all visitors well. I will not be adding anymore content to the site. I'll leave the site open in case anyone needs to revisit any links.

Best of luck.

Digimarc Announces Adjustment of Offer Price in L-1 Identity Solutions' Tender Offer for Digimarc's ID Systems Business

2008-07-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

Digimarc Announces Adjustment of Offer Price in L-1 Identity Solutions' Tender Offer for Digimarc's ID Systems Business

Denali National Park Goes Greener With New Hybrid Commercial Bus From IC Bus

2008-07-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Denali National Park Goes Greener With New Hybrid Commercial Bus From IC Bus

L-1 Identity Solutions CCR assigned 'BB-'; outlook negative - S&P - Forbes.com

2008-07-16T05:01:00.000-07:00

L-1 Identity Solutions CCR assigned 'BB-'; outlook negative - S&P - Forbes.com

Segway sales surge

2008-07-16T02:09:00.000-07:00

Watch the Video.

Finance a Segway for about 100 bucks a month...

Segway sales surge

Green Cars, Green Vehicles, Hybrid Cars, Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Reviews and Buying tools - E7 Electric Taxi to Make Debut at the 2008 British Motor Show

2008-07-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

E7 Electric Taxi to Make Debut at the 2008 British Motor Show

edmontonsun.com - Edmonton News - Edmonton EMS adds Segways to fleet

2008-07-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

edmontonsun.com - Edmonton News - Edmonton EMS adds Segways to fleet

Enova Systems Comments on Tanfield Group PLC

2008-07-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

Enova Systems Comments on Tanfield Group PLC

Enova sees drive systems orders from Tanfield below earlier forecasts | TFN News | Static News | News | Hemscott

2008-07-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Enova sees drive systems orders from Tanfield below earlier forecasts | TFN News | Static News | News | Hemscott

Valence Technology Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

2008-07-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

Valence Technology Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

Taoiseach goes electric for new van launch - Galway Independent - Smith Electric Vehicles

2008-07-11T04:41:00.000-07:00

Taoiseach goes electric for new van launch - Galway Independent - Smith Electric Vehicles

IEEE Spectrum: Our First Electric Cars...May Be Trucks

2008-07-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

IEEE Spectrum: Our First Electric Cars...May Be Trucks

Deal Journal - WSJ.com : National Security Concerns and the Political One-Way Street

2008-07-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

Deal Journal - WSJ.com : National Security Concerns and the Political One-Way Street - L-1 Identity Solutions

Digimarc Corporation to Report Second Quarter Financial Results on August 1, 2008: Provides Preliminary Second Quarter Financial Information

2008-07-10T06:42:00.000-07:00

Digimarc Corporation to Report Second Quarter Financial Results on August 1, 2008: Provides Preliminary Second Quarter Financial Information

Valence Technology Announces Appointment of Donn Tognazzini to its Board of Directors

2008-07-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

Valence Technology Announces Appointment of Donn Tognazzini to its Board of Directors

Valence Technology Taps Rasky Baerlein to Support Communications Efforts

2008-07-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

Valence Technology Taps Rasky Baerlein to Support Communications Efforts

Playing Catch-Up In the Fast Lane - washingtonpost.com

2008-07-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

Playing Catch-Up In the Fast Lane - washingtonpost.com

Digimarc Comments to Shareholders Concerning Acquisition of Its ID Systems Business By L-1 Identity Solutions: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

2008-07-07T02:03:00.000-07:00

Digimarc Comments to Shareholders Concerning Acquisition of Its ID Systems Business By L-1 Identity Solutions: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

TheCabin.net ·· Some willing to pay for fast airport security checks 07/04/08 - CLEAR

2008-07-04T18:56:00.000-07:00

TheCabin.net ·· Some willing to pay for fast airport security checks 07/04/08 - CLEAR

Biometrics Technology in Iraq - HIIDE photo.

2008-07-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

Biometrics Technology in Iraq - HIIDE photo

“Reissuing Border Crossing Cards” - Testimony Before the Government Reform & Oversight Subcommittee - Rick Patrick - June 25, 2008 - PDF

2008-07-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Letter from Congress concerning the Sanfran proposal - L-1 Identity solutions. - PDF

2008-07-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

LAist: LAX Security to Get Eye Scanners & Fingerprint Readers - CLEAR

2008-07-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

LAist: LAX Security to Get Eye Scanners & Fingerprint Readers - CLEAR

NextGov - Federal identity programs boost biometrics market - L-1 Identity Solutions mentioned

2008-07-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

NextGov - Federal identity programs boost biometrics market - L-1 Identity Solutions mentioned

L-1 IDENTITY SOLUTIONS - Current Report - Amended and Restated Merger Agreement

2008-07-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

L-1 IDENTITY SOLUTIONS - Current Report - Amended and Restated Merger Agreement

L-1 Identity Solutions - Amended General Statement of Beneficial Ownership - Digimarc

2008-07-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

L-1 Identity Solutions - Amended General Statement of Beneficial Ownership - Digimarc

In An Economic Slowdown Govt Contracts Become Important for the Security Ind. | TheSecurityAnalys - L-1 Identity Solutions mentionedt

2008-07-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

In An Economic Slowdown Govt Contracts Become Important for the Security Ind. | TheSecurityAnalyst - L-1 Identity Solutions mentioned.

Valence Technology, Inc. - Current Report

2008-07-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On June 26, 2008, Berg & Berg Enterprises, LLC (“Berg & Berg”) advanced to the Company two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) as a loan to be used to cover working capital requirements. Subsequently, the Company and Berg & Berg agreed to provide for up to ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in such interim working capital loans from time to time in order for Berg & Berg and/or certain of its affiliates to supplement the Company’s working capital and other financial needs. In connection therewith, on July 2, 2008, the Company executed a promissory note (the “Promissory Note”) in aggregate principal amount of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) in favor of Berg & Berg for the initial advance. The Promissory Note is payable on August 15, 2008 and bears interest at a rate of 8.0% per annum. At the election of Berg & Berg, all principal and accrued but unpaid interest then outstanding under the Promissory Note may be used as full or partial, as the case may be, satisfaction of the purchase price of the Company’s equity securities in the event Berg & Berg purchases any of the Company’s equity securities after the date of the Promissory Note. The managing member of Berg & Berg is Carl E. Berg, who is the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and the principal stockholder of the Company.

It is the intention of the Company to either repay this Promissory Note on or before its maturity date or, subject to its cash flow requirements, issue equity securities to Berg & Berg in exchange for the cancellation of all or part of its then-outstanding obligations under the Promissory Note. Unless the obligations thereunder are first repaid, Berg & Berg has expressed its current intention to use the outstanding obligations under the Promissory Note as payment of the purchase price for the Company’s equity securities. The price of any such shares is anticipated to be the closing bid price on the date on which any such purchase occurs. The terms of any notes subsequently issued pursuant to the interim funding arrangement described above are anticipated to be similar.

This summary of the terms of the Promissory Note is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Promissory Note, a copy of which is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Valence Technology, Inc. - Current Report

Valence Technology Comments on the Tanfield Group PLC Announcement

2008-07-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Valence Technology Comments on the Tanfield Group PLC Announcement

When A123 Systems Goes Public, Watch Stock Prices Rise for Competitors Ener1, Valence and AltairNano

2008-07-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

When A123 Systems Goes Public, Watch Stock Prices Rise for Competitors Ener1, Valence and AltairNano

Valence Technology Added to Russell 3000 Index

2008-07-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

Valence Technology Added to Russell 3000 Index

Tanfield Group PLC - Trading Statement - Interactive Investor

2008-06-30T23:43:00.000-07:00

Tanfield Group PLC - Trading Statement

Extract from press release:

Smith Electric Vehicles

ALTHOUGH NOT IMMUNE FROM THE FACTORS IMPACTING TANFIELD'S OTHER MARKETS, DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAS HELD UP, HELPED BY THE STRONG RISE IN THE OIL PRICE.

THROUGH JUNE A NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS MISSED THEIR COMMITTED RAMP-UP PLANS DUE TO TECHNICAL AND PRODUCTION ISSUES WITH A NUMBER OF SPECIALISED COMPONENTS - SPECIFICALLY A NEW SERIES OF COMPONENTS REQUIRED FOR THE TRANSITION TO THE LATEST GENERATION OF VEHICLES. THESE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES INCLUDE HARD TOOLING ON BATTERY CONTAINER SYSTEMS (THIS IS THE LONGEST LEAD TIME COMPONENT WITH A 16 WEEK RESOLUTION), TECHNICAL PRODUCTION ISSUES WITH DASHBOARD AND DRIVER INTERFACE MODULES, VEHICLE CHARGER AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEMS AVAILABILITY AND DELIVERY RATES.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF THESE SUPPLY CHAIN CONSTRAINTS IS THAT OUTPUT IN THE SECOND QUARTER WAS REDUCED BY 112 VEHICLES. GIVEN THE SHORT PAYMENT TERMS, THE REVENUE FROM THESE VEHICLES WAS FORECAST TO HAVE BEEN COLLECTED. THIS HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON WORKING CAPITAL. THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RE-SCHEDULED.

ALTHOUGH THE DIRECTORS EXPECT THAT THE CURRENT SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES WILL BE RESOLVED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THERE CONTINUE TO BE AREAS WHERE VOLUME SUPPLY IS UNPROVEN, AND THE FORECAST SALES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE NOW LOWER THAN CURRENT MARKET EXPECTATIONS.

INPUT COSTS HAVE RISEN FOR CERTAIN KEY COMPONENTS. WHILST SOME OF THIS IS BEING PASSED ON THROUGH SALES PRICE RISES, ELECTRIC VEHICLE MARGINS WILL COME UNDER PRESSURE. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO MITIGATE THESE RISES THROUGH DESIGN AND PURCHASING INITIATIVES.

THE ENQUIRY LEVEL AND THE NUMBER OF NEW CUSTOMERS INITIATING TRIALS ARE BUOYANT. THE COMPANY IS ALSO IN RECEIPT OF A NUMBER OF LETTERS OF INTENT AND STATEMENTS OF INTEREST FROM TARGETED US CUSTOMERS BASED UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF US SPECIFIC ELECTRIC VEHICLES. HOWEVER WE ANTICIPATE THAT DUE TO THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE AND THE TRADING CONDITIONS OUR CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING, IT WILL TAKE LONGER FOR THESE TRIALS TO CONVERT INTO VOLUME ORDERS.

IN LIGHT OF THE ABOVE FACTORS THE DIRECTORS HAVE MADE TWO KEY STRATEGIC DECISIONS:

POSTPONEMENT OF THE MOVE TO A DEDICATED ELECTRIC VEHICLE SITE. THE CURRENT FACILITY HAS SUFFICIENT CAPACITY HEADROOM FOR THE COMING 18 MONTHS AND THIS DECISION WILL BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW.

REVISION OF THE EXPANSION IN USA. THIS IS NOW LIKELY TO BE EXECUTED THROUGH A JOINT VENTURE WITH A BUSINESS THAT ALREADY HAS FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE US IN A RELATED INDUSTRY. WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH A NUMBER OF INDUSTRY PARTNERS IN THIS REGARD.

Tanfield Group PLC - Trading Statement - Interactive Investor

Russell 2000 adds 34 materials, processing stocks - Valence Technology

2008-06-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

Russell 2000 adds 34 materials, processing stocks - Valence Technology

Digimarc Board Approves $310 Million All-Cash Offer from L-1 Identity Solutions for Digimarc's ID Systems Business - FOXBusiness.com

2008-06-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Digimarc Board Approves $310 Million All-Cash Offer from L-1 Identity Solutions for Digimarc's ID Systems Business - FOXBusiness.com

L1 Identity Solutions - L-1 Identity Solutions Receives $4.9 Million Task Order for HIIDE Biometric Enrollment and Recognition Devices

2008-06-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

L1 Identity Solutions - L-1 Identity Solutions Receives $4.9 Million Task Order for HIIDE Biometric Enrollment and Recognition Devices

KXAN.com - News, Weather, Sports - Austin, TX | Workers' information stolen from DPS-contracted company

2008-06-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

KXAN.com - News, Weather, Sports - Austin, TX | Workers' information stolen from DPS-contracted company

Protecting Your Laptop - Bioscrypt mentioned

2008-06-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Protecting Your Laptop - Bioscrypt mentioned

Valence Technology Receives Qualified Opinion from Its Auditors

2008-06-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

Valence Technology Receives Qualified Opinion from Its Auditors

Biometrics Stems Driver's License Fraud - Government Technology

2008-06-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Biometrics Stems Driver's License Fraud - Government Technology

Smith Electric Vehicles Newsletter June 2008

2008-06-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

No direct link, Click here and sign up for mailing List

June 2008

Dear Reader

Have you entered the Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards? This is a great opportunity to showcase your green credentials and be rewarded for all your hard work! Details are below.

We also bring you news of another two high profile customers who have switched on to the benefits of Smith Electric Vehicles: Sky and TK Maxx.

Remember, if you are thinking about converting your fleet to electric, you can find out more at our website at www.SmithElectricVehicles.com.

Darren Kell, Chief Executive, Smith Electric Vehicles

ARE YOU A GREEN FLEET HERO?

The deadline is looming for the Energy Saving Trust’s Fleet Hero Awards. The high profile awards recognise organisations that have implemented solutions to help reduce carbon emissions from business travel.

Last year, Sainsbury’s Online bagged one of the awards for its deployment of the Smith Edison in its home shopping delivery fleet. Awards will be issued across 10 categories covering issues such as business mileage, grey fleet, smarter driving and green procurement. There will also be awards for innovation, leadership, industry suppliers and the best small, medium and large fleet.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the London Transport Museum on Tuesday 14th October and the winning organisations will also be profiled in a special supplement in the Guardian, The Observer and Fleet News!

The application deadline for round 1 is Friday 27 June. Further information and an online competition form can be accessed at www.guardian.co.uk/fleetheroes2008.

The Smith Electric Vehicles team would be delighted to help with your application – please contact Dan Jenkins, Media Relations Manager, on 0191 461 6842 or email dan.jenkins@smithelectricvehicles.com.

SKY GOES ELECTRIC WITH THE SMITH EDISON PANEL VAN

Sky customers in the Greater London area who receive a visit from Sky engineer Michael Moir will see him arrive in a Smith Edison zero emission electric panel van. The van is being trialed by Sky as part of its award winning carbon neutral program.

The van has a range of 100 miles before it needs to be recharged and can travel at up to 50mph. The van can also power itself while on the road thanks to its regenerative brakes which reduce the vehicle’s speed by converting and storing some of its kinetic energy in the van's batteries for later use.

The van's battery will be re-charged by connecting it to the mains electricity at Michael's home, which has been switched to a zero carbon electricity plan.

Michael said: "Most people come home from work and plug the kettle in, but I'll be getting my van plugged in and charged up for my next day’s shift. I am really excited to be the first Sky engineer to take part in this trial and am looking forward to putting the vehicle through its paces. It's good to know that every day I will be doing something positive for the environment."

Euan Smith, Sky's Supply Chain Director said: "If this trial is successful, we hope to convert more of our vans to electric vehicles in the future."

Read more about the Edison here: www.SmithElectricVehicles.com

TK MAXX DELIVERS IN STYLE WITH THE SMITH NEWTON

In partnership with DHL Exel Supply Chain, TK Maxx is integrating the Smith 10 tonne Newton into its London fleet.

The Smith Newton for TK Maxx is the largest zero emission commercial delivery truck on Britain's roads. The aerodynamic truck and body means it also has the longest range of any commercial electric vehicle in the UK.

Simon Barker, Vice President, Logistics at TK Maxx said: "The introduction of our first electric vehicle into the TK Maxx fleet is a significant milestone for us. It confirms our intent to take real responsibility for our role within global climate change issues. We continue to invest in and drive for innovative solutions to reduce our C02 emissions and are excited about the potential this has for our fleet."

The 10 tonne Smith Newton vehicle provides the largest carrying capacity for an electric truck in the UK, with a body length of 7.5 metres and a cargo payload of over 4,000 kg - the truck will hold 21 Euro pallets of goods. The vehicle has a top speed of 50 mph, and after it has been fully charged over a 6-8 hour period, it has a range of up to 200 km which is further than any other commercial electric vehicle on the UK roads.

Read more about the Newton here: www.SmithElectricVehicles.com

www.SmithElectricVehicles.com
enquiries@SmithElectricVehicles.com
Click here to unsubscribe

L1 Identity Solutions - L-1 Identity Solutions to Report Second Quarter Financial Results on July 30, 2008; Reaffirms Quarterly Guidance

2008-06-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

L1 Identity Solutions - L-1 Identity Solutions to Report Second Quarter Financial Results on July 30, 2008; Reaffirms Quarterly Guidance

Hoover's - House Oversight and Government Reform Committee - hearing on "ID Cards: Reissuing Border Crossing Cards

2008-06-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee - Hearing [Washington Daybook]

06/24/2008 00:01:00 AM
Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee

**Revised

TIME: 2 p.m.

EVENT: House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Government Management, Organization, and Procurement Subcommittee hearing on "ID Cards: Reissuing Border Crossing Cards."

WITNESS(ES): Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Tony Edson; Colleen Manaher, director of Customs and Border Protection's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, Homeland Security Department; Jess Ford, director of international affairs and trade at the Government Accountability Office; Aaron Fuller, president of Computer Sciences Corporation, Inc.; Rick Patrick, senior vice president for federal programs at L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc.; and William Alsbrooks, former group vice president for General Dynamics' Information Systems Credential Technology Group, testify

DATE: June 25, 2008

LOCATION: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

CONTACT: 202-225-5051 http://www.oversight.house.gov

Hoover's - House Oversight and Government Reform Committee - hearing on "ID Cards: Reissuing Border Crossing Cards- Hoover's

Noortech introduces a new technology in Saudi Arabia - Bioscrypt, 3D Face

2008-06-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Noortech introduces a new technology in Saudi Arabia Noortech - Bioscrypt, 3D Face

BLACKFIVE: Help Wounded Vets Get Mobile!

2008-06-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

BLACKFIVE: Help Wounded Vets Get Mobile!

ReviewJournal.com - Business - Bids for maker of Nevada driver's licenses criticized

2008-06-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

ReviewJournal.com - Business - Bids for maker of Nevada driver's licenses criticized

Digimarc files with SEC to spin off business

2008-06-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

Digimarc files with SEC to spin off business

Safran Bids for Digimarc Division, Challenging L-1 (Update3) - Bloomberg.com: Europe

2008-06-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

Safran Bids for Digimarc Division, Challenging L-1 (Update3) - Bloomberg.com: Europe

Enova Systems Strengthens Management

2008-06-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

Enova Systems Strengthens Management

“REAL ID” Controlled by a Foreign Entity? Safran S.A. Bids Against L-1 for Digimarc’s ID Business | TheSecurityAnalyst

2008-06-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

“REAL ID” Controlled by a Foreign Entity? Safran S.A. Bids Against L-1 for Digimarc’s ID Business | TheSecurityAnalyst

L1 Identity Solutions - L-1 Identity Solutions Acquisition of ID Systems Business of Digimarc Corporation Remains in Effect; Gains Hart-Scott-Rodino A

2008-06-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

L1 Identity Solutions - L-1 Identity Solutions Acquisition of ID Systems Business of Digimarc Corporation Remains in Effect; Gains Hart-Scott-Rodino Approval

Digimarc Receives Part Of $80M Real ID Grant

2008-06-23T02:01:00.000-07:00

Digimarc Receives Part Of $80M Real ID Grant

UPDATE 1-Safran offers to buy secure Digimarc's unit | Reuters

2008-06-23T01:55:00.000-07:00

UPDATE 1-Safran offers to buy secure Digimarc's unit | Reuters

L-1 Identity Solutions Acquisition of ID Systems Business of Digimarc Corporation Remains in Effect; Gains Hart-Scott-Rodino Approval

2008-06-23T01:53:00.000-07:00

L-1 Identity Solutions Acquisition of ID Systems Business of Digimarc Corporation Remains in Effect; Gains Hart-Scott-Rodino Approval

Digimarc Receives Unsolicited Non-Binding Proposal To Acquire Its Secure ID Business for $300 Million in Cash - Nachrichten-Newsticker von Welt Online - ständig aktuelle Nachrichten und Informationen - WELT ONLINE

2008-06-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Digimarc Receives Unsolicited Non-Binding Proposal To Acquire Its Secure ID Business for $300 Million in Cash - Nachrichten-Newsticker von Welt Online - ständig aktuelle Nachrichten und Informationen - WELT ONLINE

Retrofit with Finance Card - Bioscrypt mentioned

2008-06-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

Retrofit with Finance Card - Security Magazine

Daily Herald - Car shops to offer upgrades on hybrid cars

2008-06-21T01:26:00.000-07:00

Daily Herald - Car shops to offer upgrades on hybrid cars

Energy CS reference i.e., Valence Technology batteries

Iowa School District Recieves Two of the Nation's First Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Buses From Advanced Energy

2008-06-19T16:21:00.000-07:00

Iowa School District Recieves Two of the Nation's First Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Buses From Advanced Energy

FTC signs off on Digimarc, L-1 deal : SecureID News

2008-06-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

FTC signs off on Digimarc, L-1 deal : SecureID News

Biometric Identification Services Provides Electronic Fingerprinting -- Courant.com

2008-06-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Biometric Identification Services Provides Electronic Fingerprinting -- Courant.com

4 New Segway Applications - Gas Prices, WMDs and Barack Obama on Segways - Popular Mechanics

2008-06-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

4 New Segway Applications - Gas Prices, WMDs and Barack Obama on Segways - Popular Mechanics

Valence Technology, Inc. - Annual Report

2008-06-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

Valence Technology, Inc. - Annual Report

Delta inks fast security lanes deal with Clear - Triangle Business Journal:

2008-06-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

Delta inks fast security lanes deal with Clear - Triangle Business Journal:

Enova Systems, Inc. - Regulatory Announcement

2008-06-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Company	Enova Systems, Inc.
TIDM	ENV
Headline	Holding(s) in Company
Released	09:20 16-Jun-08
Number	7640W09

RNS Number : 7640W

Enova Systems, Inc.

16 June 2008

Enova Systems, Inc.
16 June 2008

Enova Systems, Inc. ("the Company")

Enova Systems Inc. is pleased to announce the following shareholders of more than 3% of the Company's outstanding common stock as of June 16, 2008:

Common Shares	Shareholders	Percent
3,222,222	Jagen Pty LTD	16%
1,514,275	GAM Holdings AG	7%
1,500,000	Shell Asset Management BV	7%
1,238,920	Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.	6%
700,000	JO Hambro	3%
930,000	IS Partners	5%
900,000	MPC Investors	4%

Enova Systems, Inc Tel: +1 310 527 2800

Mike Staran, President and Chief Executive Officer

Jarett Fenton, Chief Financial Officer

Investec Tel: 020 7597 5970

Michael Ansell / Paul Brett

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Market News

Appointment of Directors - Enova Systems, Inc.

2008-06-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

Market News

Do Not Ignore L-1 Identity Solutions As the ID Market Grows | TheSecurityAnalyst

2008-06-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

Do Not Ignore L-1 Identity Solutions As the ID Market Grows | TheSecurityAnalyst

Notice of Intent - Contract Modification Notification (Increase Security Operation Requirements) May 30, 2008 - Identix

2008-06-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

- Contract Modification Notification (Increase Security Operation Requirements) May 30, 2008 - Identix

Continental’s TSA Airport Security is decidedly Un-CLEAR | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

2008-06-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

Continental’s TSA Airport Security is decidedly Un-CLEAR | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

StreetInsider.com - Matrix USA Rating Changes 6/12

2008-06-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

June 12, 2008 9:31 AM EDT
Matrix USA Rating Changes 6/12

Upgrades:
I2 Technologies (NASDAQ: ITWO) from Sell to Hold; L-1 Identity Solutions (NYSE: ID) from Buy to Strong Buy; Stewart Enterprises (NASDAQ: STEI) from Strong Sell to Sell; Advanced Analogic Tech (NASDAQ: AATI) from Strong Sell to Sell; Taser International (NASDAQ: TASR) from Hold to Buy; Gaiam (NASDAQ: GAIA) from Strong Buy to Sell; KLA-Tencor (NASDAQ: KLAC) from Buy to Strong Buy; CEC Entertainment (NYSE: CEC) from Strong Sell to Sell; iPass (NASDAQ: IPAS) from Strong Sell to Sell; Coeur D’Alene Mines (NYSE: CDE) from Strong Sell to Sell; Heico (NYSE: HEI) from Buy to Strong Buy; and NCI Building Systems (NYSE: NCS) from Hold to Buy.

StreetInsider.com - Matrix USA Rating Changes 6/12

Identix series of airport security solutions from Fingerscan

2008-06-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

Looks like Fingerscan(Australia) is still in business.

Fingerscan offers Identix series of airport security solutions. These airport security solutions include control access to computer systems, grant of physical access rights to various airport locations, screening of airports and airline personnel before hiring and also uniquely linking the passengers to their baggage.

Identix series of airport solutions offered by Fingerscan have several beneficial features. Some of the benefits include improvement of airport security, minimising occurrences of terrorist plots and criminal activities, protection against identity theft, cost effective security practices and centralised airport security management offering better control and safety.

Identix series of airport security solutions from Fingerscan are available at cost effective rates. These airport security solutions are known to provide efficient as well as effective operations. Identix finger biometric solutions offered by Fingerscan function by playing a pivotal role in airport security solutions. Identix range of products provided by Fingerscan can be categorised into three groups namely finger biometrics, Itrust and consulting services.

11-Jun-2008

Identix series of airport security solutions from Fingerscan

Still the same website. I'm surprised that they haven't redirected to L-1's site.
Fingerscan

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - Pakistan, Afghanistan to ensure border stability

2008-06-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

Might be of interest to L-1 fans since HIIDE has been deployed to Afghanistan.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - Pakistan, Afghanistan to ensure border stability

Rep. George Miller delivers millions for campaign contributor - ContraCostaTimes.com - SecuriMetrics

2008-06-08T01:29:00.000-07:00

Rep. George Miller delivers millions for campaign contributor - ContraCostaTimes.com

L-1 Identity expects 2Q sales to beat analysts' views

2008-06-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

EDITED: CNN link went dead. New link to Yahoo is active.

L-1 Identity expects 2Q sales to beat analysts' views
Wednesday May 7, 12:18 pm ET
L-1 Identity Solutions predicts 2nd-quarter revenue above analysts' expectations

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) -- L-1 Identity Solutions Inc., which produces identification cards and credentials, said Wednesday that its second-quarter revenue will beat analysts' expectations.

For the quarter that ends June 30, L-1 expects revenue of $135 million to $145 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect second-quarter revenue of $134.7 million, on average.

L-1 also expects a profit of 3 cents to 5 cents per share. Analysts, whose estimates typically exclude special items, expect a profit of 2 cents per share.

For the full year, L-1 anticipates $555 million to $575 million in revenue. Analysts are looking for $562.8 million in full-year revenue.

L-1 shares fell 10 cents to $14.42 in midday trading.

L-1 Identity expects 2Q sales to beat analysts' views

Valence narrows loss on better sales | Statesman Business Blog

2008-06-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

Valence narrows loss on better sales | Statesman Business Blog

Valence Technology Reports Fiscal 2008 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results

2008-06-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

Valence Technology Reports Fiscal 2008 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results

Taylor Daily Press: Taylor ISD to begin fingerprinting next month

2008-06-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

Taylor Daily Press: Taylor ISD to begin fingerprinting next month

Raptor Networks Technology Receives Follow-On Orders From Existing Cable Services Provider Client

2008-06-03T12:09:00.000-07:00

Raptor Networks Technology Receives Follow-On Orders From Existing Cable Services Provider Client

Hoover's - Valence Technology - Patent - SECONDARY ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL WITH HIGH RATE CAPABILITY

2008-06-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

SECONDARY ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL WITH HIGH RATE CAPABILITY [PCT Biblio Info]

06/02/2008 02:06:00 PM
Micropatent / Thomson Scientific

Pub. Number WO2008061174
Appl. Data US07084775 20071115
Applicant VALENCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Inventor(s) HUANG, Haitao
SAIDI, M., Yazid
BARKER, Jeremy
Title SECONDARY ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL WITH HIGH RATE CAPABILITY
Abstract The invention provides an electrochemical cell which includes a
first electrode having a electrode active material, a second electrode which is
a counter electrode to the first electrode, and an electrolyte. The negative
electrode active material is represented by the general formula
EfTigDhOi.

If you would like to purchase a copy of this patent, please call MicroPatent at 800-648-6787.

(c) 2008 Micropatent LLC
News provided by: Hoover's - Valence Technology Patent

VALENCE TECHNOLOGY, INC. 8K

2008-06-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

"Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 28, 2008, an article derived from an interview conducted with Robert L. Kanode, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Valence Technology, Inc. (the “Company”) was published by an online industry trade journal focused on energy technology stocks. In this article, a statement that the Company expects to report “just over” $20 million in revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 was attributed to remarks Mr. Kanode made during his interview. Information relating to the Company’s revenue for fiscal 2008 had not previously been released by the Company, nor has the final revenue amount for fiscal 2008 been verified.

The Company currently believes that it will report revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 of approximately $20.7 million, but this number is subject to further verification, including the completion of audit procedures. However, because the Company’s final fiscal 2008 revenues (and other financial results) have not been completed, investors should not rely on the revenue projection attributed to Mr. Kanode, or to the updated number provided herein by the Company to clarify the statement attributed to Mr. Kanode.

Energy Tech Stocks – The Financial News Site for The Global Energy Tech Revolution

2008-06-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

Energy Tech Stocks – The Financial News Site for The Global Energy Tech Revolution: "CEO of Lithium-ion Battery Developer Valence Sees Revenue Growing 500% In Current Fiscal Year
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008

Posted: May 28, 2008

Valence Technology Inc., a Texas-based lithium-ion battery developer for transportation and industrial applications, expects revenue in the fiscal year ending next March 31 to be roughly 500% higher than the “just over” $20 million the company expects to report in the fiscal year just ended, Robert Kanode, president and CEO, told EnergyTechStocks.com.

“You’re going to start to see us move up in revenue,” Kanode said, noting that orders from the Smith Electric unit of Tanfield Group PLC should contribute up to $70 million in new sales that will be reflected primarily in Valence’s fiscal third and fourth quarters. The revenue will come from supplying lithium-ion battery packs for some 2,500 Smith electric delivery vans. “We’re actually shipping commercial products,” Kanode said as he highlighted how he thinks investors and analysts in the U.S. don’t realize how much farther along the electrified transportation market is in Britain.

Asked when he expects Valence to be in the black, Kanode said, “As we ramp up this year, the break even point will be at$30 million” in revenue."

Kanode indicated that he anticipates further growth over the next few years based in part on Smith’s plans to turn out 10,000 electric delivery vans for the U.S. market, plus another 9,000 for the UK and Europe, by 2010. Smith previously announced plans to build a manufacturing plant in the U.S.

Kanode forecast that, given rapidly rising gasoline and diesel prices, the big global delivery companies probably won’t be able to survive unless they completely turn over their existing fleets of delivery vehicles. “They must have (electric vans),” he said, estimating that in five years the advanced battery business will have annual sales of some $11 billion and that Valence will be one of several winners in this sector.

Kanode said that Valence is in talks with another electric van manufacturer, Modec, as well as with carmakers Renault and BMW. He anticipates the market for lithium-ion powered electric passenger vehicles to surge. “They’re going to have to get out of their SUVs,” he said, referring to American motorists whom he expects will get caught in the grip of pump prices that will rise to as much as $15 a gallon.

Digimarc wins Georgia driver's license contract

2008-06-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

Digimarc wins Georgia driver's license contract

N Y opts for hybrid driver's licenses

2008-05-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

N Y opts for hybrid driver's licenses

What Van? - Smith Electric scores huge 'green' fleet deal with TNT

2008-05-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

What Van? - Smith Electric scores huge 'green' fleet deal with TNT

Enova Systems' 2008 Annual Meeting Video

2008-05-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Enova Systems' 2008 Annual Meeting

Enova Systems' 2008 Annual Meeting was held May 22nd, 10:00am at Enova's Torrance Office:

Click Here to view Enova's 2008 Annual Meeting Video (Requires Broadband Connection)

Click Here to Download Enova's 2008 Annual Meeting Presentation

Enova Systems Holds 2008 Shareholders Meeting

2008-05-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

Enova Systems Holds 2008 Shareholders Meeting

Enova Systems says focussing on moving towards profitability - Forbes.com

2008-05-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Enova Systems says focussing on moving towards profitability - Forbes.com

YouTube - 3D facial recognition from Bioscrypt Inc.

2008-05-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

YouTube - 3D facial recognition from Bioscrypt Inc.

Send in the Marines! (With Iris Scanners!) | Danger Room from Wired.com

2008-05-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

Send in the Marines! (With Iris Scanners!)

By David Axe May 23, 2008 | 8:37:00 AMCategories: Biometrics

A year ago, Afghan tribesmen with two months of NATO training and $70 bucks a month in NATO pay in their pockets, helped repel a major Taliban assault on the southern town of Chora.

But in April, NATO decided the tribesmen -- Afghanistan's version of the "Sons of Iraq" militias -- were a security risk, and fired them all. "The fix?" I asked in a piece for Wired.com. "Marines, of course, armed with fingerprint pads, iris scanners and electronic databases."

With these biometric tools, the Marines are planning to recruit new cops who have no ties to tribal warlords. “We know there are some shadow police and some militia-type police,” Lt. Col. Ray Hall, the Marine commander, said. “Once we go through the vetting process, we'll have everybody screened … so that problem should go away.”

That means scanning every new recruit's unique iris “eye prints,” logging their thumb prints and feeding it all into a growing, but still very spotty, national database linked to criminal and intelligence records. If a cop has any known warlord ties, he's disqualified from serving. [The Marines have used similar tactics in places like Fallujah -- ed.]

CIA teams used FBI biometrics while hunting for known Al Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan in 2001, and since then, the military has gathered data on almost every Afghan it comes in regular contact with.

The problem: Not all the military databases can talk to one another.

[Photo: Air Force]

Send in the Marines! (With Iris Scanners!) | Danger Room from Wired.com

Interview with Charles Koo, Chairman of LGE USA. - find BIOMETRICS

2008-05-22T00:24:00.000-07:00

Charles Koo, Chairman of LGE USA.
May 2008

LG Electronics and Iridian Resolve their Licensing and Intellectual Property Dispute

Interview with Charles Koo, Chairman of LGE USA. - find BIOMETRICS

stamford times - Stamford company helps kick-start state's first background check facility

2008-05-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

stamford times - Stamford company helps kick-start state's first background check facility

Hoover's Valence Technology - Patent

2008-05-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

News - Hoover's: "Method of processing active materials for use in secondary electrochemical cells [European Patents]

05/20/2008 12:52:00 AM
Micropatent

Pub. Number EP1921698
Appl. Data EP06019347 20060915
Applicant VALENCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Inventor(s) Dong, Ming
Title Method of processing active materials for use in secondary
electrochemical cells
Abstract The present invention provides a method for the processing of
particles of metal phosphates or particles of mixed metal phosphates and in
particular lithiated metal phosphates and mixed metal phosphates. The
processing occurs, for example using a mechanofusion system as depicted in
Figures 1 and 2. In general, the powder materials are placed in a rotary
container and are subjected to centrifugal force and securely pressed against
the wall of the container. The material then undergoes strong compression and
shearing forces when it is trapped between the wall of the container and the
inner piece of the rotor with a different curvature (Figure 2). Particles of
the material are brought together with such force that they adhere to one
another. In the mechanofusion system, as indicated in Figure 2, the powder
material is delivered through slits on the rotary walls. It is carried up above
the rotors by the rotor- mounted cir"

Enova Systems and IC Bus Execute Long Term Agreement: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

2008-05-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

Enova Systems and IC Bus Execute Long Term Agreement: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

News - Hoover's

2008-05-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.hoovers.com/free/news/detail.xhtml?ArticleID=200805191423KNOBIAS_NEWS_____ffa3003348dde530_KB
05/19/2008 02:23:00 PM
Knobias.com
Ridgeland, MS, MAY 19, 2008 (EventX/Knobias.com via COMTEX News Network) -- Company representatives of L-1 Identity Solutions Inc (NYSE: ID) will be presenting at the JP Morgan 36th Annual Technology Conference today. The Company's presentation is scheduled to begin at 15:40 ET.
Misc Releated Info:** Original Confirmation** Conference Information:JP Morgan 36th Annual Technology Conference
Conference Dates: 05/19/2008-05/21/2008
Westin Boston Waterfront
Boston, MA"

Valence Announces Product Advisory for Users of N-Charge(R) Portable Energy Storage Solutions: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

2008-05-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

Valence Announces Product Advisory for Users of N-Charge(R) Portable Energy Storage Solutions: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Plug-in hybrids - AutoWeek Magazine

2008-05-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

Plug-in hybrids - AutoWeek Magazine

Passport cards called security vulnerability - - Breaking News, Political News & National Security News - The Washington Times

2008-05-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

Passport cards called security vulnerability - - The Washington Times

YouTube - Flight of Fusion Man

2008-05-15T23:38:00.000-07:00

YouTube - Flight of Fusion Man

China’s All-Seeing EyeWith the help of U.S. defense contractors, China is building the prototype for a high-tech police state. It is ready for export.

2008-05-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

L-1 fans, You will really want to read the story.

Excerpt:
In Guangzhou, an hour and a half by train from Shenzhen, Yao Ruoguang is preparing for a major test of his own. “It’s called the 10-million-faces test,” he tells me.

Yao is managing director of Pixel Solutions, a Chinese company that specializes in producing the new high-tech national ID cards, as well as selling facial-recognition software to businesses and government agencies. The test, the first phase of which is only weeks away, is being staged by the Ministry of Public Security in Beijing. The idea is to measure the effectiveness of face-recognition software in identifying police suspects. Participants will be given a series of photos, taken in a variety of situations. Their task will be to match the images to other photos of the same people in the government’s massive database. Several biometrics companies, including Yao’s, have been invited to compete. “We have to be able to match a face in a 10 million database in one second,” Yao tells me. “We are preparing for that now.”

The companies that score well will be first in line for lucrative government contracts to integrate face-recognition software into Golden Shield, using it to check for ID fraud and to discover the identities of suspects caught on surveillance cameras. Yao says the technology is almost there: “It will happen next year.”

When I meet Yao at his corporate headquarters, he is feeling confident about how his company will perform in the test. His secret weapon is that he will be using facial-recognition software purchased from L-1 Identity Solutions, a major U.S. defense contractor that produces passports and biometric security systems for the U.S. government.

To show how well it works, Yao demonstrates on himself. Using a camera attached to his laptop, he snaps a picture of his own face, round and boyish for its 54 years. Then he uploads it onto the company’s proprietary Website, built with L-1 software. With the cursor, he marks his own eyes with two green plus signs, helping the system to measure the distance between his features, a distinctive aspect of our faces that does not change with disguises or even surgery. The first step is to “capture the image,” Yao explains. Next is “finding the face.”

He presses APPLY, telling the program to match the new face with photos of the same person in the company’s database of 600,000 faces. Instantly, multiple photos of Yao appear, including one taken 19 years earlier — proof that the technology can “find a face” even when the face has changed significantly with time. ”

It took 1.1 milliseconds!” Yao exclaims. “Yeah, that’s me!”

In nearby cubicles, teams of Yao’s programmers and engineers take each other’s pictures, mark their eyes with green plus signs and test the speed of their search engines. “Everyone is preparing for the test,” Yao explains. “If we pass, if we come out number one, we are guaranteed a market in China.”

Every couple of minutes Yao’s phone beeps. Sometimes it’s a work message, but most of the time it’s a text from his credit-card company, informing him that his daughter, who lives in Australia, has just made another charge. “Every time the text message comes, I know my daughter is spending money!” He shrugs: “She likes designers.”

Like many other security executives I interviewed in China, Yao denies that a primary use of the technology he is selling is to hunt down political activists. “Ninety-five percent,” he insists, “is just for regular safety.” He has, he admits, been visited by government spies, whom he describes as “the internal-security people.” They came with grainy pictures, shot from far away or through keyhole cameras, of “some protesters, some dissidents.” They wanted to know if Yao’s facial-recognition software could help identify the people in the photos. Yao was sorry to disappoint them. “Honestly, the technology so far still can’t meet their needs,” he says. “The photos that they show us were just too blurry.” That is rapidly changing, of course, thanks to the spread of high-resolution CCTVs. Yet Yao insists that the government’s goal is not repression: “If you’re a [political] organizer, they want to know your motive,” he says. “So they take the picture, give the photo, so at least they can find out who that person is.”

Until recently, Yao’s photography empire was focused on consumers — taking class photos at schools, launching a Chinese knockoff of Flickr (the original is often blocked by the Great Firewall), turning photos of chubby two-year-olds into fridge magnets and lampshades. He still maintains those businesses, which means that half of the offices at Pixel Solutions look like they have just hosted a kid’s birthday party. The other half looks like an ominous customs office, the walls lined with posters of terrorists in the cross hairs: FACE MATCH, FACE PASS, FACE WATCH. When Beijing started sinking more and more of the national budget into surveillance technologies, Yao saw an opportunity that would make all his previous ventures look small. Between more powerful computers, higher-resolution cameras and a global obsession with crime and terrorism, he figured that face recognition “should be the next dot-com.”

Not a computer scientist himself — he studied English literature in school — Yao began researching corporate leaders in the field. He learned that face recognition is highly controversial, with a track record of making wrong IDs. A few companies, however, were scoring much higher in controlled tests in the U.S. One of them was a company soon to be renamed L-1 Identity Solutions. Based in Connecticut, L-1 was created two years ago out of the mergers and buyouts of half a dozen major players in the biometrics field, all of which specialized in the science of identifying people through distinct physical traits: fingerprints, irises, face geometry. The mergers made L-1 a one-stop shop for biometrics. Thanks to board members like former CIA director George Tenet, the company rapidly became a homeland-security heavy hitter. L-1 projects its annual revenues will hit $1 billion by 2011, much of it from U.S. government contracts.

In 2006, Yao tells me, “I made the first phone call and sent the first e-mail.” For a flat fee of $20,000, he gained access to the company’s proprietary software, allowing him to “build a lot of development software based on L-1’s technology.” Since then, L-1’s partnership with Yao has gone far beyond that token investment. Yao says it isn’t really his own company that is competing in the upcoming 10-million-faces test being staged by the Chinese government: “We’ll be involved on behalf of L-1 in China.” Yao adds that he communicates regularly with L1 and has visited the company’s research headquarters in New Jersey. (”Out the window you can see the Statue of Liberty. It’s such a historic place.”) L1 is watching his test preparations with great interest, Yao says. “It seemed that they were more excited than us when we tell them the results.”

L-1’s enthusiasm is hardly surprising: If Yao impresses the Ministry of Public Security with the company’s ability to identify criminals, L-1 will have cracked the largest potential market for biometrics in the world. But here’s the catch: As proud as Yao is to be L-1’s Chinese licensee, L-1 appears to be distinctly less proud of its association with Yao. On its Website and in its reports to investors, L-1 boasts of contracts and negotiations with governments from Panama and Saudi Arabia to Mexico and Turkey. China, however, is conspicuously absent. And though CEO Bob LaPenta makes reference to “some large international opportunities,” not once does he mention Pixel Solutions in Guangzhou.

After leaving a message with the company inquiring about L-1’s involvement in China’s homeland-security market, I get a call back from Doni Fordyce, vice president of corporate communications. She has consulted Joseph Atick, the company’s head of research. “We have nothing in China,” she tells me. “Nothing, absolutely nothing. We are uninvolved. We really don’t have any relationships at all.”

I tell Fordyce about Yao, the 10-million test, the money he paid for the software license. She’ll call me right back. When she does, 20 minutes later, it is with this news: “Absolutely, we’ve sold testing SDKs [software development kits] to Pixel Solutions and to others [in China] that may be entering a test.” Yao’s use of the technology, she said, is “within his license” purchased from L-1.

The company’s reticence to publicize its activities in China could have something to do with the fact that the relationship between Yao and L-1 may well be illegal under U.S. law. After the Chinese government sent tanks into Tiananmen Square in 1989, Congress passed legislation barring U.S. companies from selling any products in China that have to do with “crime control or detection instruments or equipment.” That means not only guns but everything from police batons and handcuffs to ink and powder for taking fingerprints, and software for storing them. Interestingly, one of the “detection instruments” that prompted the legislation was the surveillance camera. Beijing had installed several clunky cameras around Tiananmen Square, originally meant to monitor traffic flows. Those lenses were ultimately used to identify and arrest key pro-democracy dissidents.

“The intent of that act,” a congressional staff member with considerable China experience tells me, “was to keep U.S. companies out of the business of helping the Chinese police conduct their business, which might ultimately end up as it did in 1989 in the suppression of human rights and democracy in China.”

Pixel’s application of L-1 facial-recognition software seems to fly in the face of the ban’s intent. By his own admission, Yao is already getting visits from Chinese state spies anxious to use facial recognition to identify dissidents. And as part of the 10-million-faces test, Yao has been working intimately with Chinese national-security forces, syncing L-1’s software to their vast database, a process that took a week of intensive work in Beijing. During that time, Yao says, he was on the phone “every day” with L-1, getting its help adapting the technology. “Because we are representing them,” he says. “We took the test on their behalf.”

In other words, this controversial U.S. “crime control” technology has already found its way into the hands of the Chinese police. Moreover, Yao’s goal, stated to me several times, is to use the software to land lucrative contracts with police agencies to integrate facial recognition into the newly built system of omnipresent surveillance cameras and high-tech national ID cards. As part of any contract he gets, Yao says, he will “pay L-1 a certain percentage of our sales.”

When I put the L-1 scenario to the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security — the division charged with enforcing the post-Tiananmen export controls — a representative says that software kits are subject to the sanctions if “they are exported from the U.S. or are the foreign direct product of a U.S.-origin item.” Based on both criteria, the software kit sold to Yao seems to fall within the ban.

When I ask Doni Fordyce at L-1 about the embargo, she tells me, “I don’t know anything about that.” Asked whether she would like to find out about it and call me back, she replies, “I really don’t want to comment, so there is no comment.” Then she hangs up.

You have probably never heard of L-1, but there is every chance that it has heard of you. Few companies have collected as much sensitive information about U.S. citizens and visitors to America as L-1: It boasts a database of 60 million records, and it “captures” more than a million new fingerprints every year. Here is a small sample of what the company does: produces passports and passport cards for American citizens; takes finger scans of visitors to the U.S. under the Department of Homeland Security’s massive U.S.-Visit program; equips U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan with “mobile iris and multimodal devices” so they can collect biometric data in the field; maintains the State Department’s “largest facial-recognition database system”; and produces driver’s licenses in Illinois, Montana and North Carolina. In addition, L-1 has an even more secretive intelligence unit called SpecTal. Asked by a Wall Street analyst to discuss, in “extremely general” terms, what the division was doing with contracts worth roughly $100 million, the company’s CEO would only say, “Stay tuned.”

It is L-1’s deep integration with multiple U.S. government agencies that makes its dealings in China so interesting: It isn’t just L-1 that is potentially helping the Chinese police to nab political dissidents, it’s U.S. taxpayers. The technology that Yao purchased for just a few thousand dollars is the result of Defense Department research grants and contracts going as far back as 1994, when a young academic named Joseph Atick (the research director Fordyce consulted on L-1’s China dealings) taught a computer at Rockefeller University to recognize his face.

Yao, for his part, knows all about the U.S. export controls on police equipment to China. He tells me that L-1’s electronic fingerprinting tools are “banned from entering China” due to U.S. concerns that they will be used to “catch the political criminals, you know, the dissidents, more easily.” He thinks he and L-1 have found a legal loophole, however. While fingerprinting technology appears on the Commerce Department’s list of banned products, there is no explicit mention of “face prints” — likely because the idea was still in the realm of science fiction when the Tiananmen Square massacre took place. As far as Yao is concerned, that omission means that L-1 can legally supply its facial-recognition software for use by the Chinese government.

Whatever the legality of L-1’s participation in Chinese surveillance, it is clear that U.S. companies are determined to break into the homeland-security market in China, which represents their biggest growth potential since 9/11. According to the congressional staff member, American companies and their lobbyists are applying “enormous pressure to open the floodgates.”

China’s All-Seeing EyeWith the help of U.S. defense contractors, China is building the prototype for a high-tech police state. It is ready for export. - CommonDreams.org

DHS extends TWIC deadline - Security Systems News

2008-05-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

DHS extends TWIC deadline - Security Systems News

State Government Looks to Datacard Group for Driver's License Solutions

2008-05-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

State Government Looks to Datacard Group for Driver's License Solutions