Press Release
March 10, 2000
Version 2.1 of FBI-Certified Scanning Software Offers Increased Speed And New Features
PLANO, Texas — Mentalix, Inc. announced that version 2.1 of its Fingerprint Scan API Toolkit is now available. Created specifically for systems integrators and programmers who need to add FBI-certified 10-print card and latent print scanning solutions to their custom turnkey systems, this release of the Fingerprint Scan API Toolkit provides not only additional time-saving functions for end users, but also faster scanning speeds. The current release of the Toolkit contains a version 2 IAFIS-certified library module for Windows®, as well as several version 1.x certified libraries. Additional version 2 certified runtime libraries will be included with future Toolkit updates, as they are released. Version 2.1 downloads also include a preview of the upcoming Fingerprint Utility API Toolkit™, an add-on product that allows systems integrators to add image processing functionality to their fingerprint scanning interfaces.
Many prominent biometric systems providers have utilized the Fingerprint Scan API Toolkit to add FBI-certified fingerprint scanning interfaces to their larger solutions, which are already installed in several law enforcement organizations, forensics departments and civilian agencies around the world. For current users, version 2.1 works as a “drop-in” upgrade that easily replaces previous releases and enables access to the new functions and improvements. This release is fully backward-compatible, so customers can continue to use version 1.0-compatible applications with newer certified runtime libraries. Among the recently added features are interactive progress reporting and scan abort functionality, plus a new overscan function that corrects card placement errors “behind the scenes,” without requiring intervention by the end user — resulting in improved image quality and a reduced need for re-scans. All of these features, combined with other speed enhancements, contribute to valuable time savings for users. As an added bonus, systems integrators can preview Mentalix’s upcoming Fingerprint Utility API Toolkit add-on when they download Fingerprint Scan API Toolkit 2.1. The Utility Toolkit enables the creation of more robust fingerprint scanning solutions; the application provides image processing functionality such as cropping, card validation and image analysis routines that fully automate the Fingerprint Scan API Toolkit’s overscan function. A Guided Tour that includes an overview and demonstrations of both Fingerprint API Toolkits is available online.
With its ‘C’ API, the Fingerprint Scan API Toolkit allows integrators to provide a scanning interface for users of Windows 95/98/NT and UNIX® systems as well as multi-platform environments. Features include a fingerprint definition template for support of non-U.S. fingerprint cards or for custom applications, plus “drop in” software updates for taking advantage of new features and advances in hardware technology. Mentalix offers several scanner/platform-specific library modules, each certified by the FBI as being compliant with the Appendix F Image Quality Specifications for its Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). Certified runtime library modules are available for 500 ppi 10-print card scans and 1000 ppi latent print scans. The FBI has already certified the Agfa DuoScan T1200/Windows 95/98/NT library for use with the new version 2 features. Mentalix (info@mentalix.com) also currently offers the Pixel!SCAN API Toolkit™, an add-on product that may be used with the Fingerprint Scan API Toolkit to handle both fingerprint scanning and more general-purpose scanning needs, such as acquiring electronic versions of mug shot photos and documentation associated with suspect records.
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Incorporated in 1987, Mentalix was founded to develop easy-to-use products for the purposes of scanning, editing, and printing photographic images from high-performance workstations. In recent years, Mentalix has applied its software development and imaging expertise to the creation of industry-recognized, FBI-certified fingerprint acquisition solutions. Corporate-wide, Mentalix continues to provide fast, elegant solutions for scientific, technical, GIS, manufacturing, fingerprint analysis, medical, educational, and government industries. Mentalix targets custom, systems integration and off-the-shelf solutions for Window and a variety of UNIX systems. The company maintains its headquarters north of Dallas in Plano, Texas.
Mentalix, Fingerprint Scan API Toolkit, Fingerprint Utility API Toolkit, and Pixel!SCAN API Toolkit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mentalix, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark. Windows and Windows NT are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks acknowledged.
Press contact:
Alissa F. Payne
Mentalix, Inc.
(972) 423-9377 Ext. 124
