Biometric technology has taken new strides toward identification of moving people at distances of up to 10 feet, making all previous biometric technologies for establishing identity seem outmoded or in need of upgrading.

Sarnoff Corporation, the company behind the innovative technology, said the award-winning "Iris on the Move" system had demonstrated that it was capable of verifying the identity of up to 30 people per minute.

Analysts said the new system would make significant changes in the way biometric identification machines operated at airports and security checkpoints.

The cost of the new system or the cost of upgrading to new system wasn't immediately available but the need for more efficient ways of verifying identity of people has already entailed costs not previously budgeted by government departments or private and corporation institutions.

The compelling distinction between the new biometrics product and previously marketed systems means the winning technology will soon make market inroads into the offerings of other manufacturers.

An almost constant upgrading of security systems worldwide has proven to be a lifeline and, in some cases, a boon to industries that are engaged in research and development of better ways of access control, securing public places, transportation and government and corporate offices.

The Iris on the Move system won the Best New Product Award and Best Biometrics and Identity Solution at the Security Industry Association New Product Showcase.

While Sarnoff says its system can quickly and accurately capture the iris image of subjects in motion at distances of as much as 10 feet, other iris scanning technologies require users to stop or stare directly into a scanner.

IOM systems deliver accurate identification regardless of whether the subject is wearing prescription glasses, most sunglasses or contact lenses.

From the specifications of products in the market, Sarnoff has been able to claim that its IOM technology can capture iris images from farther distances than any other commercial iris scanning technology.

Mark Clifton, Sarnoff's acting president and chief executive officer, said IOM systems are currently deployed in several secure government facilities and private corporations.

"The technology is ideal for a wide variety of uses including banking ID verification, border initiatives, event security, payment systems and employee access," said Clifton.

Sarnoff has headquarters in Princeton, N.J.

Analysts said the biometrics industry was poised for take-off at a consumer level as the technology was applied to time and attendance systems, door locks and safes.

Some companies predict that biometrics-controlled products aimed at the consumer could soon be flooding the markets.