io9
Security checkpoints could do a full-body scan and check your skeleton against the bone structures of known terrorists in a few years. A new patent, issued on Friday, covers a system that would scan some, or all, of your skeleton and compare it with a database of skeletons. The database would also pull up data such as your name, address, social security number, and passport number. Worst of all, you might not even know your skeleton is being scanned from a distance.
The patented device uses "imaging radar," which bounces microwaves off your skeleton and obtains an image. The objective of the new system is to provide a fool-proof means of identifying people by their skeletons, which may be harder to spoof than fingerprints or other biometrics. The imaging system will be "compact and safe" for use on humans, the patent (#7317416) claims. Most of all, the system would provide "a means to identify individuals at a distance and/or without requiring direct contact."
Versatility is a big selling point of Leonard Flom and Ophir Almog's system:
The imaging radar may be at a security checkpoint (e.g., airport, secure facility, etc.). In other embodiments, the imaging radar is an active radar mounted on an aerial platform such as a satellite or an aircraft. The radar may also be mounted on a track and/or rail system (e.g., on the ground, a floor, and/or a roof) along which it can be moved rapidly.
The authorities could use the system to grant, or withhold, access to secure facilities. But they could also use it to scan for individuals who are on a "watch list" for terrorists or criminals, the patent says. It's not much of a leap to imagine how this system could be abused. Skeleton-scanners could soon be as ubiquitous as CCTV cameras already are in some urban areas... and you'd just better hope your skeleton doesn't throw up the wrong red flag by mistake. Skeleton scan image from AP photos. Other images from patent filing. [FreePatentsOnline]
Comments
And the TSA had better hope they're armed with maces or other blunt weapons if they don't want to risk only causing half-damage on a successful attack.
It would be pretty hard to spoof your skeleton.
Gawker Media articles from the future!
"I broke every bone in my body, now the TSA thinks I am a terrorist."
"Terrorist breaks every bone in body to get through airport security"
And so we take one step closer to the coolest bit in Total Recall.
@braak: Yeah, unfortunately, I'm pretty sure my "replace my original skeleton with a nuclear-powered titanium one" plan would actually cause more problems than it solved.
@laughingacademy: How does this get us closer to girls with three boobs?
@moff: I am holding out for a future rocket-launching robot liver.
@braak: Nice. Tell me how that goes, because if there's any major organ of mine that could use replacing, it's the liver.
Some ways around this?... Brain transplants. Various types of mind control to get non-terrorists to act inside secure zones. Bribes. Wearing microwave proof clothing to prevent surreptitious data collection. Genetic modification of existing bone altering diseases. Overthrowing all authoritarian governments that would use tech like this. Becoming a terrorist when you're young and bones haven't taken a permanent shape. Using human shields on the escalator...
@moff: While I normally hate to say this, el-oh-el.
"a means to identify individuals at a distance and/or without requiring direct contact."
And since we all own out skeletons...
Shouldn't we be compensated for all of the repeated viewing that will occur while we are being scanned everywhere we go?
I want residues on the viewing of my skeleton... $100 per view, especially since I'm being bombarded with doses of radiation in order for the viewing to occur.
I still don't know if I like people beaming microwaves at me all the time. Business travel may have to qualify as hazard duty.
Worse yet ... with your diagrams, you at home can make on --- yourself!
Just go to your neighborhood BALCO store and purchase a friendly dose of steroids and alter your skeletal frame.
@kraffft:
or really old terrorists that have osteoperosis
This was predicted by Greg Egan about 12 years ago, in his novel "Quarantine." In the book, travelers must submit to a skeletal assay to establish their identities. The only way to cheat it is to get extensive orthopedic surgery.
And the motivation for the security measures in the story is, of course, terrorism.
- bp
Yeah, instantly made me think of the scanner in Total Recall!
On a serious note, GREAT, inching that much closer to Orwell's 1984....the analogy has become cliche these days, but rings true.....
Who will maintain the skeleton database and update it each time I break something? Who's going to create a skeleton template for terrorists? Wouldn't terrorists hire an unknown "skeleton" for each mission? Who will guarantee this is safe? The same people who guarantee toys are lead free? Wrong, just wrong...
@IchabodCrane: I couldn't agree more!
Start a discussion:
Login with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.
Forgot your username or password? New User?