A4Vision

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A4Vision is the company founded in 1998 by the Russian students of MSTU of Bauman Artem Yukhin and Andrey Klimov for commercial implementation of technology of three-dimensional object recognition. In 2007 it is sold to the Canadian developer of scanners for Bioscrypt fingerprints.

History of creation of the company

Being students, Artem Yukhin and Andrey Klimov developed the device called in the "contactless optical three-dimensional scanner" patent — the device for the three-dimensional photo. The device was initially created for "machine vision" — for example, for the independent robots moving on the area with a difficult relief. In 2000 authors of the idea began to look for the investor. However the investor found them.

Shortly before it in Europe the venture fund incubator myQube was formed (creators — Benetton and Pirelli industrial groups, the international investment bank Merrill Lynch, etc.). myQube saw the task in capitalization on e-commerce, the Internet and the other fashionable ideas. It was in passing decided to include in a portfolio of fund the company which is engaged 3D. myQube came to A4Vision independently. After the negotiations lasting more than half a year (three more corporate investors were competitors of fund) founders of A4Vision decided to be invested through myQube, not in the last degree because of the good relations which developed with partners of fund. The first investments, about one million dollars, came to A4Vision under new, 2001.

In an asset of A4Vision no commercial products — one naked technology were initial. What can be made for sale, still it was necessary to think up together with experienced venturists. At first based on A4Vision technology it was going to create three-dimensional images of goods for electronic shops that was obviously unreasonable and, fortunately, not for long existed idea (the Boo.com company whose take-off and rapid falling became the first evidence of crisis in Europe was burned on it). Then the company began to work on software for plastic surgeons modeling appearance of clients after cosmetic transaction. Perhaps, this invention would also be crowned with success, but here burst on September 11, and security technologies began to be in overwhelming demand. What to be engaged the companies in, at once it became clear: cosmetic practices easily gave in to converting in anti-terrorist means of recognition of appearance especially as Artem Yukhin already dealt with a problem — it was the subject of his thesis.

A4Vision technology

The A4Vision technology consists in removal of a surface of the person by method of the structured illumination. On data retrieveds build three-dimensional model of appearance in millimeters. Then the computer algorithm creates model of solid tissues of the head. After that the model of a skull fits into model of soft fabrics. The sample for comparison is ready. Key indicators to which the recognition mechanism pays attention is not comparative provision of points of a skull and facial tissues, and curvature of surfaces and zones. How to change a facial angle and notch of cheekbones to deceive such method of identification, it is not thought up yet. The same points can become an absolute obstacle to recognition; but, as they represent the plane which is at distance from the face the program can notice a characteristic overhang before eyes and even to ask to take off glasses via the computer loudspeaker. Or just to eliminate a part of the face from a recognition network and to count what points do not cover.

The first investments

By May, 2003 the total amount of the investments enclosed by myQube and its partners in investment syndicate — Logitech and private investors — was 6.5 million dollars. The syndicate at that time possessed about 85% of stocks of the company, from them 40% — myQube.

In total nine investors among whom Motorola Ventures and personal fund of the president are the Larry Ellison Oracle Tako Ventures participated in financing of A4Vision.

Bioscrypt sale

Bioscrypt announced purchase of A4Vision in January, 2007. Did not disclose the size of the purchased packet of Bioscrypt, but the source familiar with a situation said that the company purchased nearly 100% of A4Vision. As payment shareholders of A4Vision received 9 million ordinary shares of Bioscrypt and also the option for the redemption of 4.6 million more for $6-8 million. As it was told in release, the former shareholders of A4Vision will possess about 32% of the united company.

After the declaration of merge to A4Vision the share price of Bioscrypt cavorted for 29%.

Sources

• Union of the person and finger. Bioscrypt purchased A4Vision
• Recognize by sight