Starting fall term, the Student Recreation Center will be using a hand recognition system, Handkey II, instead of an ID card to enter the building or check out equipment.

The hand geometry readers simultaneously analyze more than 31,000 points and instantaneously record more than 90 separate measurements of an individual's hand; including length, width, thickness and surface area. The purpose of this is to verify that the person using the device is really who he or she claims to be. It does not record finger or palm prints.

The HandReader compares this information with a "template" of the individual's hand that has previously been established. Once the person has been identified as a valid user, access is provided. The reading and verification process takes less than a second with impeccable reliability.

Numerous university recreation centers have used this technology for years. Benefits of the system include increased ease of entering the building, greater access control and increased accuracy with equipment check out. This helps protect the integrity of the fee members pay by reducing access of non-paying individuals.

The hand recognition system will be installed in late August. Members are encouraged to set up their scan before fall term starts.

To enroll a user for the first time:

• Staff will enter ID number at a workstation and verify user
• The user then puts their hand into the HandKey three times.
• Set up is complete.

Using the reader:

• Enter ID number
• Press Enter
• Place hand on reader
• Press fingers against pegs until all red lights are off
  
• Access will be granted or additional instructions provided on reader screen

1. Q: What is biometrics?
   
   A: Biometrics identify people by a unique human characteristic. The size and shape of a hand, a fingerprint, the voice and several aspects of the eye are just some unique attributes. The word "biometric" simply means the measurement of a living trait, whether physiological or behavioral. Biometric technologies compare a person's unique characteristics against a previously enrolled image for the purpose of recognizing.
   
   
   
2. Q: What is Hand Geometry?
   
   A: HandKey uses a field-proven technology called hand geometry, which verifies an individual’s identity based on the size and shape of the hand. It does not take fingerprints or handprints.
   
   
   
3. Q: Is Hand Geometry new?
   
   A: Hand Geometry has been in use longer than any other biometric. Two-dimensional hand geometry devices have been around since the 1970’s. Ingersoll Rand Recognition Systems has sold thousands of HandKey HandReaders since 1986.
   
   
   
4. Q: How does it work?
   
   A: The HandKey measures the unique size and shape of the fingers and hand. Over 90 different measurements are made such as, length, width, thickness and surface area. No finger prints or palm prints are taken.
   
   To enroll a user for the first time, the user puts their hand into the HandKey three times so that a CCD camera records an image of the hand. An algorithm converts these images into one mathematical value (your template). This template is then stored in the Rec Center management system as a number.
   
   Each time a user puts their hand in the HandKey to enter the building or check out equipment, the HandKey takes another image of the hand, the algorithm converts this image to a mathematical value and then compares this new template with the template the HandKey has stored previously. If the two templates match, identity is confirmed and access granted. The users template is updated with each successful verification. This allows for changes due to weight gain or loss, aging, etc. This also eliminates the need to re-enroll users.
   
   
   
5. Q: Do rings or Band-Aids have an effect?
   
   A: Usually not enough to reject a valid user. Make sure the ring is in the upright position and hand placement is proper and there should not be any issues.
   
   
   
6. Q: What happens if I injure my hand and have it bandages or in a cast?
   
   A: You can be enrolled with your left hand; palm up while the right hand is disabled. It’s not as comfortable but will work.
   
   
   
7. Q: How will hygiene issues be addressed??
   
   A: Compare hand placement on the platen (where user places their hand) to using a door knob/handle, money handling, telephone use, or shaking hands. Every handreader platen contains an anti-microbial agent and readers will also be sanitized by staff. These active anti-microbial agents are incorporated during the manufacturing process and because they cannot leach out or wash off the surface, they remain active for the life of the biometric reader. This material does not change the look or the feel of the product but it continually protects the platen’s surface against microbes, making it cleaner and more hygienic.
   
   The Rec Center will provide additional hand sanitizer at the entry of the building and equipment stations.
   
   
   
8. Q: Are there any privacy issues?
   
   A: Hand geometry technology cannot be reverse-engineered to identify people. It does not store the image of the hand, but instead stores a 9-byte template which is a mathematical representation of the hand image. This mathematical value is meaningless to other devices. In addition, no fingerprint or palm print information is gathered.
   
   
   
9. Q: Is the HandKey safe?
   
   A: The infrared lights used in the hand reader are similar to those used in remote controls for TV’s and VCR’s. The light’s power level is 100 mill watts – less than the amount produced by natural sunlight or microwave ovens. Ingersoll Rand Recognition Systems has been contacted by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and has supplied all requested information. No reports of hazards have been generated by OSHA.
   
   
   
10. Q: What are some other Rec Centers are using this technology?
    
    A: San Diego State University, Aztec Rec Center
    Cal State University San Bernardino
    Cal State University Fullerton, Titan Rec Center
    Cal State University Chico
    University of California Irvine, “ARC”