Briefs

IR inks deal with GovSupply WASHINGTON - Ingersoll-Rand has aligned with GovSupply to provide the federal government with its access control products through GovSupply’s GSA contract. The deal makes available products from Ingersoll-Rand’s Schlage, Von Duprin, Dor-O-Matic, Recognition Systems, Steelcraft, Locknetics and Kryptonite product lines to federal agencies who work off a GSA Schedule. It will also enable its network of dealers, including Electronic Technologies Corp., a systems integrator Ingersoll-Rand bought last year, to provide consultation, design, specification and installation work. Identix puts its finger on rights to patent MINNETONKA, Minn. - A four-year patent dispute between biometric company Identix and Digital Persona has finally been resolved, with the U.S. Patent Office deciding to award the disputed technology patent rights to Identix. The decision ends a battle that began in February of 1999, when Identix challenged a patent held by Redwood City, Calif.-based Digital Persona. In its filing, Identix said that Digital Persona’s patent claimed technology that had been first invented by Identix. As the result of the patent award, Identix will own principal claims to microprism technology in optical electronic fingerprint sensors that had previously been included in the Digital Persona patent. Hirsch adds ADT as channel partner SANTA ANA, Calif. - Access control manufacturer Hirsch Electronics signed a distribution agreement with ADT Security Services. With the agreement, ADT becomes an authorized Hirsch reseller, with non-exclusive rights to purchase, market, resell, install and service Hirsch products, while Hirsch further enhances its customer reach, adding another top-tier channel partner.