A prototype e-passport designed by Samsung has a bright AMOLED display that shows the rotating, animated head of the person.
(AMOLED E-Passport W/Rotating Mugshot)
The display (AMOLED stands for active matrix organic light emitting diode has a resolution of 240x320 pixels and a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 to aid in recognition.
I'm looking up references to this in either Blade Runner or the movie Total Recall, where I'm sure I've seen this rotating head presentation before in identification cards.
In the meantime, take a look at this very early reference from the wonderful 1954 novel The Houses of Iszm, by Jack Vance. In the story, an Earthman journeys to a distant planet, where he is required to have a rather detailed ID card.
"If the Sainh pleases - his tri-type for our records."
Farr patiently stood on the disk of gray metal.
"Palms forward, eyes wide."
Farr stood quietly. Feeler-planes brushed down his body...
The clerk showed him a transparent card with a man-like brownish splotch on its middle. "Not much of a likeness," said Farr.
The Szecr dropped the card into a slot. On the counter-top appeared a three-dimensional replica of Farr. It could be expanded a hundred times, revealing finger-prints, cheek-pores, ear and retinal configuration.
(Read more about Jack Vance's Tri-Type record)
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