Fujitsu and Fujitsu Frontech jointly launch palm vein authentication devices

Source: Fujitsu. Schematic showing the scope of palm vein detection, which can be used for login authentication on PCs, copiers and room access.

Fujitsu and Fujitsu Frontech have introduced the FUJITSU Biometric Authentication PalmSecure-F Pro, which is a sensor that can be embedded into equipment, and the FUJITSU Biometric Authentication Palm Vein Authentication Board - to their line of palm vein authentication devices. According to the companies, palm vein authentication is both highly accurate and difficult to forge. The method is used by over 70 million people around the world in such applications as verifying customer identity at a bank ATM, for PC access management in companies, and for room access management.

The companies say that applications can now be expanded from PC login and room access to equipment like multifunction copiers, vaults, and lockers. Fujitsu and Fujitsu Frontech will also focus on growing their presence in new markets, such as using palm vein authentication for 'walletless' e-payments, or as an alternative to keys for residences or vehicles.

The new devices area more compact, easier to install and offer advanced capabilities over previous versions. The PalmSecure-F Pro features greater identification accuracy, and provides greater functionality for identifying individuals. The Palm Vein Authentication Board with embedded software now supports embedded-type operating systems.

While maintaining support for the vein templates of PalmSecure Sensor V2*, available since 2010, PalmSecure-F Pro is more compact, has improved operability, and greater tolerance to sunlight. At 13mm, it is less than half the height of the previous device and about a third of the volume, while maintaining the same authentication accuracy. It can be used outdoors.

This version also features the capability to rapidly capture multiple images of a palm, select the best image almost instantly, and automatically verify it. By incorporating a high-performance image sensor, the shutter speed has been improved to about five times that of the previous model, shortening the image-capture period, and limiting image blur. A database of up to 10 thousand palms (five thousand people when registering both hands) is supported, with a false rejection rate of 0.01% (rejecting a palm which is actually in the database), and a false acceptance rate of less than 0.00001% (accepting a palm which is not actually in the database).

The Palm Vein Authentication Board measures 85mm x 54mm x 20mm and comes with firmware that processes such functions as image capture, registration, and authentication. Previously, use of palm vein authentication was restricted to such operating systems as Windows and Linux, but this product makes it possible to build vein authentication systems that are independent of the operating system as functionality such as image capture, registration of new palms and authentication are now integrated onto the board.

In addition to the standalone version which stores palm vein data on the board itself, the Palm Vein Authentication Board is also available in a server version that can connect with PalmSecure LOGONDIRECTOR (PLD), PC login software that is available only in Japan. Using this version, registration data stored in the PLD server can also be used from devices requiring authentication, enabling integration of palm vein authentication across a variety of devices.

The companies expect to generate 10 billion yen over the next five years across the Fujitsu Group (including hardware, software, and systems integration) for both devices.

Interested?

Sales of the new products will begin in late October

The Palm Vein Authentication Board will only be available in Japan. It will initially support the PalmSecure Sensor V2 at launch, with plans to support the PalmSecure-F Pro thereafter

*Vein template support: registration data recorded with a PalmSecure Sensor V2 can also be used with the PalmSecure-F Pro.