Realtime Global Biometrics Screening Capability

At present, the field of mobile biometric screening devices is limited to either strictly data capture devices or devices with limited data processing and communication capability, because of reliance on Personal Digital Assistant technologies. PDA based architectures have provided a means for quick development of biometric field devices, but they also significantly limit data processing and communications capability. The development of a global biometrics screening capability will require exploratory development in the areas of biometrics data processing and communications in order to eliminate dependence upon external infrastructure. The envisioned device will support existing and planned commercially available biometrics handheld scanners via IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth wireless connectivity, provide sufficient data processing to compress and packetize biometrics data for global satellite communications connectivity, sufficient on-board data processing and storage to house a significant on-board biometric database for realtime query, and a robust communications protocol to reliably utilize Iridium satellite communications connectivity to a centralized biometrics database. The envisioned mobile biometric screening device will be a truly global biometric instrument, providing the DHS field agent or DOD screener ready access to up-to-date biometrics data anywhere in the world, as well as the means for capturing new biometrics data in the field.