BIO-key Awarded U.S. Patent on Utilization of Biometric Data to Allow Continuous, Passive User Authentication on a Mobile Device

Enables transformation from traditional “active-only” fingerprint and facial biometric modalities to passive, continuous biometric authentication


WALL,N.J. and EGAN, Minn., June 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIO-key International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BKYI), an innovative provider of biometric authentication and security solutions, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded the company Patent 10,002,244 for the Utilization of Biometric Data.

Originally filed in 2015, this patent should enable BIO-key to capitalize on the transition of mobile devices to in-screen, “under glass” biometric sensors that eliminate the need for a dedicated fingerprint sensor or a facial recognition camera. BIO-key believes the patent claims are broad enough to be applied to biometric sensors located anywhere on a device.

BIO-key’s patent leverages the continuous stream of partial fingerprint, facial or other biometric captures that occur as a user interacts with a device that incorporates an in-screen fingerprint scanner or facial recognition camera. By retaining these incidental captures on the device and intelligently analyzing then for consistency with previously enrolled biometric data, this technique enables a continuous, passive authentication process for greater persistent security with little or no impact to the user’s workflow. An application can also request an active authentication using the same scanner, thereby providing a flexible spectrum of authentication choices.

Mira LaCous, BIO-key’s Chief Technology Officer, commented, “Surveys show that fingerprint and facial biometric authentication is already preferred over other strong authentication methods because of its convenience and well-documented accuracy advantages. This innovation transforms what has traditionally been active-only biometric authentication modalities to support active or passive biometric methods providing stronger security and greater choice for our partners and customers. This is highly applicable to on-device authentication as well as to enterprise or cloud-based IDaaS federated identity solutions. Given this technology’s ability to enhance the ease of use of biometrics and make the authentication process virtually invisible, we are excited by its potential to drive growth in biometric integration and utilization across a variety of applications.”

About BIO-key International, Inc. (www.bio-key.com)
BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication with biometric solutions that enable convenient and secure access to information and high-stakes transactions. We offer alternatives to passwords, PINs, tokens, and cards to make it easy for enterprises and consumers to secure their devices as well as information in the cloud. Our premium finger scanning devices offer market-leading quality, performance and price. BIO-key also brings the power and ease of use of biometric technology to its TouchLock line of biometric and Bluetooth enabled padlocks – providing even more ways to BIO-key your world!

BIO-key Safe Harbor Statement
All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). The words "estimate," "project," "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "believes" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Act. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, our ability to develop new products and evolve existing ones, customer and market acceptance of biometric solutions generally and our specific offerings, our ability to expand sales within existing customer relationships, our ability to raise additional capital, and our ability to attract and retain key personnel.  For a more complete description of these and other risk factors that may affect the future performance of BIO-key International, Inc., see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date made.

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Investor & Media Contacts
William Jones, Tanya Kamatu
Catalyst Global
212-924-9800
bkyi@catalyst-ir.com