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The BioID package from BioID AG represents a flexible biometric solution that may be used for a standalone Windows 95/98/NT workstation, or in a client server mode for Windows NT networks. It is unusual in biometric terms in that it offers a combination of three different techniques: static facial recognition, voice recognition and lip movement. The idea is that the combination of the three techniques provides for reliable biometric identity verification using non-specialist imaging and sound equipment. The package was provided for review with the Samsung AnyCam camera device, which has its own software utilities bundled on the accompanying CD.

Following the installation instructions to the letter and installing the AnyCam software and camera device resulted in an interesting situation whereby some of the software utilities worked well enough, and others were less reliable. The VideoOffice product was fine, and the PC Snoop screen saver application worked well: this is an interesting utility that provides motion detection of a surveyed area while the host is in screensaver mode, and responds to changes in the scene by recording a prescribed burst of video and, if required, playing a sound file in response to the event. The AnyCam 2.01 software however, failed to work and repeatedly crashed on the standard Windows 98 test system.

Installing BioID SOHO according to the instructions was a straightforward process, with an attractive and intuitive dialogue throughout. After rebooting, things were not so clear cut, however. In trying to enroll a profile into the system, it was found that the operation of the enrolment dialogue was variable and it was extremely difficult to complete the process. BioID, in common with other packages of this kind, features an administration center for managing users and profiles. This was clearly presented, although after a few moments of use it froze completely. At this point, I wondered if there were any problems with the test PC, although this would have been surprising as this PC has been running Windows 98 error-free for several months with a tried and tested complement of software.

However, as I had another Windows 98 machine to hand, I decided to try it on that box as well – with exactly the same results. Then came the interesting part. On uninstalling the various packages (in reverse order), all seemed to go smoothly enough until rebooting, when it was discovered that the sound system on both PCs had been ‘killed.’
Using the Windows system file checker revealed that no less than 71 Windows system files had been overwritten and not restored to their former state. After restoring these files, the sound system was still not functioning properly and it was necessary to re-install Windows 98 in order to restore the PCs to their former healthy position. Readers may like to draw their own conclusions about software offered for sale that has these sort of effects on a perfectly standard, healthy Windows 98 system. One could imagine my own view. Nonetheless, I decided to give the BioID SOHO system another chance, and meticulously went through the process again, paying particular attention to the install sequence and set-up routines. Sadly, the results were exactly the same.

How much of this is due to the Samsung drivers for AnyCam and how much is a product of BioID, I cannot be sure. However, the end result is simply disastrous. It was never possible to get a fully functioning implementation of BioID, so I cannot comment as to its performance from a biometric standpoint. What I can comment on is the quality of supplied software and its compatibility with perfectly standard Windows 98 PCs. In my opinion, such software should have never got past the internal testing stage and should most certainly never be offered for sale publicly.

Ironically, the two applications that did work, the VideoOffice suite and PC Snoop, were quite entertaining, and certainly one could foresee numerous potential applications for PC Snoop. In addition, the AnyCam camera device proved to be quite capable, working well in a variety of lighting conditions. Its manual focus control also revealed a surprising ability to focus sharply down to just a couple of inches as well as producing clear pictures from an ‘infinity’ perspective.

In conclusion, there is clearly some work required on the various drivers and integration with Windows before the BioID SOHO package can be recommended. Similarly, an installation routine that obliterates Windows system files and is incapable of restoring the host PC to its previous state upon uninstallation, has no place in a professional environment. I confess that it is beyond me how such software can find its way out of the lab and on to the street in this state.

No doubt, there are some clear reasons for the disastrous effect BioID had on my test PCs (which incidentally had totally different motherboards and sound cards fitted), and it may be a combination of driver clashes and other details which Bio ID AG had not considered. However, when you are interacting with sound and video services, these things need to be considered. If I was an end-user and had bought this system from the supplier, I would be decidedly unimpressed with this product and its effect on my computers. This is a great shame, as the fundamental idea is an interesting one and I do hope that Bio ID AG overcomes the software integration problems and reintroduces the product with a more robust infrastructure. No doubt I could have spent hours liaising with the Bio ID AG technical team, and may have eventually got the system to work more reliably, however, this is not what an end-user should have to do with such a product – there are plenty of robust, reliable biometric products on the market. For all the reasons stated above, I am afraid that I cannot recommend this product at this time.
 

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