Laverne

Biometrics is the identification of a person based on his/her intrinsic characteristics, such as voice, writing, fingerprint, iris, face, hand geometry, etc. It is a system that recognizes a person based on "who" the person is and does not rely on "what a person is carrying" or "what a person knows".

One of the most widely known and used biometric identification scheme is fingerprint. Fingerprint analysis and identification is a 100-year old science, with thousands of studies made and articles written, and thus confidence rates of more than 99%. It's the cheapest, fastest, most convenient and most reliable way to identify someone. That's why fingerprint alone has almost 60% of the biometric world market, according to the Biometrics Market and Industry Report 2007-2012 from the International Biometric Group. Cars, cell phones, PDAs, personal computers and dozens of products and devices are using fingerprints more and more. Fingerprint recognition can be used from criminal investigations to time attendance systems, in a movie rental or in a police identification institute.

A fingerprint contain a number of unique physical characteristics called minutiae, which includes certain visible aspects of fingerprints such as ridges, ridge endings and bifurcations (forks in ridges). Minutiae are generally found in the core points of fingerprints, located near the center of the fingertips. These characteristics are used to distinguish two fingerprints, or to state that they are the same. Even identical twins have different fingerprints.

There are a number of different ways to get an image of a fingerprint, and the most common methods today for electronic fingerprint readers are optical scanning and capacitance scanning. When a fingerprint is applied to - or passed over - the sensor window of the fingerprint reader, the fingerprint is scanned and a gray-scale image is captured. A special computer software then identifies the key minutiae points from the image. These points are then converted into a unique digital representation, called "template", comparable to a very big password.

When a fingerprint enrollment is done, only the fingerprint template is stored, not the actual image of the fingerprint. The fingerprint template is not only smaller than the finger image, but also faster to process when comparing two fingerprints.

Fingerprint recognition technology is divided into two distinct processes: verification and identification.

In the verification process the user states who he/she is and a fingerprint is taken and compared to the user's previously registered fingerprint. If the fingerprints match, the user is "verified" as who he/she says he/she is. Since the newly acquired fingerprint is compared to only one stored fingerprint, this is called a one-to-one matching process (1:1). As in the enrollment process, when a fingerprint verification is done, only the fingerprint template is used in the comparison, not the actual image of the fingerprint.

In the identification process the user doesn't need to state who he/she is. A fingerprint is taken and compared to each fingerprint in the database of registered users. When a match occurs, the user is "identified" as the existing user the system found. Since the newly acquired fingerprint is compared to many stored fingerprints, this is called a one-to-many matching process (1:N). As in the verification process, when a fingerprint identification is done, only the fingerprint template is used in the comparison, not the actual image of the fingerprint.

Although it may appear to be a simple process, fingerprint recognition involves the state-of-the-art technology in hardware, for the readers, and software, to process the fingerprint images and templates. But due to the effort of the hardware and software makers, all this complexity is hidden and fingerprint technology usage is nowadays as simple as touching the reader.

Hamilton Rocha is a freelance writer and computer researcher of A&H Software Ltda., the maker of FingerAuth Password Manager, the fingerprint login manager for Firefox http://www.fingerauth.com

Buying a home remains the great American dream. Home ownership rates have been exploding in recent years, spurred on by the historically low interest rates in the home mortgage market. Home prices have been rising at far faster than inflation, especially in major urban areas such as San Francisco, San Diego and Chicago. This means that not only can that home youve always wanted put a roof over your head, but it can provide you with a great investment as well. For people new to the mortgage market, buying their first home starts with finding the best home loans.

All potential homeowners should take some time to research home loans before calling their local realtor. There are a dazzling array of choices available when it comes to home loans, and finding the right mortgage for your needs can be difficult. Approach your upcoming home purchase with the same seriousness you apply to other major purchases. Your home will most likely be the biggest single investment you ever make. Take the time at the beginning to educate yourself about home loans. It will be time well spent.

Home loans are available from a wide variety of sources. These sources include banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions and mortgage brokers. Shop around at all of these sources to find the home loans with the lowest interest rate and lowest costs.

You will also have to decide between fixed rate home loans and variable rate home loans. Variable rate home loans are often advertised with extremely low teaser rates. These rates are used by lenders to get your attention and lure you in.

Before signing up for a variable rate mortgage, make sure you find out what the interest rate cap is. Variable rate home loans are usually based on an underlying interest rate, like the prime rate. The interest rate you pay will typically be the prime rate plus or minus a certain percentage. The variable rate mortgage will have a cap above which the interest rate cannot rise. Find out what that cap is, then use a mortgage payment calculator to see what your monthly mortgage payment will be at that rate. If you cannot afford the monthly payments at the maximum interest rate, you may not want to take the mortgage loan. While it is unlikely that interest rates will rise sufficiently to make the maximum interest rate kick in, it is always a possibility.

Variable rate home loans can be a good choice if you believe interest rates are likely to fall. In an environment where interest rates are steady or rising, they may not be so good a choice. You may also want to consider a variable rate mortgage if you do not plan to stay in your home more than five years. For instance, if your job transfers you every couple of years, you could probably get away with a variable rate mortgage and take advantage of the lower interest rate. When you move and sell your home, you will probably realize a gain due to rising home prices.

On the other hand, fixed rate home loans have a set interest rate for a set period of time, generally either 15 or 30 years. The interest rate does not change, therefore you will always know what your monthly mortgage payment will be. You are protected from rising interest rates with a fixed rate mortgage. If rates fall significantly, you can always refinance your mortgage loan to take advantage of the lower rates.

If you can afford the payments, 15-year home loans can substantially lower the amount of money you will ultimately pay for your home. When you run the numbers on a 15-year versus a 30-year home mortgage loan, you may be surprised at how affordable the 15-year home loan can be. Your mortgage payment will not double if you go with a 15-year mortgage versus a 30-year. This has to do with the affect of compound interest. You are paying far less interest in the long run on a 15-year mortgage.

Whatever type of home loan you decide on, the most important thing is to take that step which transforms you from a mere renter to a home owner and builder of equity. There are a great many home loans out there, but once you find the right one, you will find the rewards of home ownership well worth the time and effort put forth.

Barry Stein is the owner of aWebBiz.com where he offers cutting-edge tips on all aspects of business and a Free Newsletter on Internet Marketing. To find more advice, tools and resources to help you succeed in your business, visit: http://www.aWebBiz.com

You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your e-book or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included with an active hyperlink to the aWebBiz.com website.

One of the most popular self-defense weapons in use today by the average citizen and police officers alike is the "Kubotan" (pronounced: 'koo-bow-tahn'), or simply the self-defense keychain. The versatility of the this effective little item is that it lends itself well to being used in different ways by people with different martial arts backgrounds, as well as by people with no formal training in the martial arts whatsoever. In fact, this is perhaps one of the Kubotan's greatest advantages and therefore strengths, in that it can be picked up and easily used by any martial artist, regardless of style or principle fighting method. Regardless of whether a practitioner has studied the techniques of Aikido, Jujitsu, Karate, Kung Fu, and, yes, Ninjutsu - the art of the Ninja - the self-defense keychain fits easily into, and increases the power of just about any technique.

As an example, a Karate-oriented practitioner who is trained in, and has a preference for striking techniques, can utilize the ends of the weapon for painful blows to soft tissue areas or disabling strikes to an opponent's vital points. Conversely, a practitioner schooled in a grappling-based system like Jujitsu or Aikido, may feel more comfortable using the Kubotan for hooking, trapping, and pain compliance techniques, using the leverage and intense pain generated by the weapon to immobilize and neutralize an opponent's ability to get at him.

Certainly, any school or practitioner that takes the view of having no preferential fighting method - that means that he or she is comfortable with both striking and grappling - will have even more options with this weapon. Composite styles, like ninjutsu and many other authentic warrior arts, find that the Kubotan, to them actually a simplified or modified version of what they call an eda-koppo stick, allows them the flexibility to go from striking-to-grappling and back again with no trouble whatsoever.

Even for those without experience in a formal martial art, the Kubotan provides an economical and easily-learned method of self-protection. This powerful weapon can, and should, also be a part of any good self-defense program. Its ease-of-use and relatively short learning-curve make it the ideal "first-weapon" for beginning students. It can be used to provide a level of comfort, security, and preparedness while the student is learning more scientific unarmed techniques, tactics, and strategies that naturally take more time to internalize.

For many, the self-defense keychain weapon is a tool of pain, pure-and-simple. Regardless of whether you're using it to strike, dig into sensitive areas, or apply crushing pressure to small bones and joints, the fact is that you don't need years of training to be good with it. You can practically, with little-or-no extensive training, pick one up and be ready to at-least hold-your-own against most common attackers.

Please note that I'm not saying that a certain level of training wouldn't significantly increase your ability and chances of success, especially in a more aggressive situation, but for most of the assaults and types of attackers you'll most likely encounter in Today's world, it's the perfect starting point for most new students.

As always, my advice is to find a qualified instructor, or a professionally delivered course, where you can be introduced to the weapon properly. Then, when you have the basic ideas and principles, combined with the fundamentals of unarmed self-protection tactics, you can go on to explore the full potential of both the weapon and it's uses against a real-world assailant who might want to do more than slap you around.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He is the author of the "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery" eCourse, which is available free of charge to subscribers of his self defense newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html He is also the creator of the EDR: Non-Martial Arts Defensive Training Program, author of the book, "The Karate-Myth" as-well-as the powerful, "Danger Prevention Tactics" video. Find out how you can get his book, FREE, when you order "Danger Prevention Tactics" here: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/self-defense-video-dpt1.html Additional information is available by visiting on his site.

There are various theories about the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that inflames the joints in the body, causing pain and stiffness. It is not completely curable. In its advanced stages, rheumatoid arthritis makes the joints deformed and immobile, simultaneously affecting other organs, too. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that can affect anyone, any time, at any age. Since prevention is better than cure, a diet rich in nutrition, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, is best recommended. In the case of arthritis, a good diet will help in keeping the disease under control, even though cure is a one percent chance.

As per the body requirements, a diet should be combination of every food in large, moderate, and small amounts followed by a regular exercise plan or a physically active lifestyle. The typical diet should contain vegetables and fruit, cereals, grains, bread, legumes and beans, skimmed milk, and oils that are low in saturated fats. Researchers have identified a diet rich in fish oil and a vegetarian diet as a good sources to combat rheumatoid arthritis. Moderate amounts of sugar and red meat trimmed of excess fat can also be included the diet. Though in some cases of rheumatoid arthritis more consumption of red meat has been identified as aggravating inflammation in the joints, small quantities are harmless.

The diet should also include minerals like calcium and iron, and vitamins like B and C. Also, the body weight should be always under control. This is because a person having rheumatoid arthritis may turn anemic, lose bone density, develop a fever, and develop other symptoms that body cannot withstand with the pain and stiffness. At such a time, weight gain will only increase inflammation and pain in the swollen joints.

Diet supplements such as calcium and folic acid are recommended, especially when taking medication. Drugs taken for rheumatoid arthritis may have side effects and can affect the normal status of the vitamins and minerals in the body. For instance, folic acid is administered with methotrxate a drug used to fight arthritis. Similarly, alcohol and other beverages such as coffee should be avoided when taking certain other drugs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis provides detailed information on Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments and more. Rheumatoid Arthritis is affiliated with Arthritis Pain.