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"Writing about the future, I have a vested interest in there being a future for me to write about."
- John Brunner

Public Iris Scanner  
  A device that uses iris-scanning for identification, and does not require subject awareness.  

In the movie, Tom Cruise's character walks through a mall. As he does so, devices placed discretely along the walls shine a light on his eyes.


(Tom Cruise gets an eye scan in Minority Report)

"...Lexus. The road you're on, John Anderton, is the one less traveled..."

Technovelgy from Minority Report (Movie), by Steven Spielberg.
Published by Dreamworks in 2002
Additional resources -

Here is a brief clip from the film; note that John Anderton has had an operation performed that replaces his original irises.


(Time for your eye scan, Mr. Anderton)

The device probably scans the iris of the eye as a person walks by. There are two particularly important aspects of such a device.

The first is that iris scans are considered a highly accurate means of successful biometric authentication. Following the scan, a high-resolution picture of the irides of the eye is available. Pattern recognition software can match any future scan against the original with extremely high confidence in the accuracy of identification.

The second advantage of the movie's fictional system is that it works without the consent or involvement of the subject. At present, iris scans require that the subject move close to a device and hold his head still for the scan.

This technovelgy is used to implement personalized advertisements in the film.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from Minority Report (Movie)
  More Ideas and Technology by Steven Spielberg
  Tech news articles related to Minority Report (Movie)
  Tech news articles related to works by Steven Spielberg

Public Iris Scanner-related news articles:
  - India Opts For Nationwide Iris Scanning
  - Covert Iris Scanner Close To Minority Report Future
  - Minority Report Iris Scanners Ordered By US Army
  - SmartIris IDs People In Crowds
  - Mr. Anderton, Beware This Long-Range Iris Scanner

Articles related to Surveillance
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Who Needs Dogs? Trained Bees Detect Explosives
Government In-Home Surveillance - Yes! Say Third Of Under-30 Adults
New Train Station Offers Minority Report-Style Signs

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