Fujitsu Wins Contract for World's First Library System Using Palm Vein Authentication Technology

Tokyo, December 22, 2005

Fujitsu Limited today announced that it has been awarded a contract by Naka city in Ibaraki prefecture of Japan, to construct a system utilizing Fujitsu's biometric palm vein authentication technology for the city's new public library scheduled to open in October 2006. The library system is the world's first of its kind.

Fujitsu's contactless palm vein authentication technology will be implemented for the first time in a library system to provide a lending service that eliminates the use of library identification (ID) cards to check out books.

Naka city was established on January 21, 2005 with the founding principle of creating harmony among nature, the culture of the region, its people and cutting-edge science. The city seeks to take advantage of the region's strengths in cutting-edge technologies while respecting its cultural traditions as well as its natural beauty.

Naka city chose to adopt Fujitsu's contactless palm vein authentication technology for use in its new public library in view of offering convenience and safety to library users.

Features of Fujitsu's contactless palm vein authentication technology which were recognized and highly regarded by Naka city include such features as: its high level of authentication accuracy due to the complexity of vein patterns of the palm, the extreme difficulty to duplicate palm vein patterns given that the biometric information is internal to the body, and the fact that the system is contactless and therefore hygienic for use in public areas.

Users of the Naka City Public Library will be given the choice of using an ID card with an embedded IC chip, or use of palm vein authentication system for identity verification. Users who select palm vein authentication will be able to check out library materials or use its audio-visual section without using ID cards. Users simply suspend their hand above the authentication device and their palm vein pattern is compared to their pre-registered pattern for verification.

Features of the Naka City Public Library system

1. Card-less lending of library materials enabled by Fujitsu's contactless palm vein authentication technology

This library system is the first of its kind to implement contactless palm vein authentication technology.

Improved Convenience
Users will have simple and reliable access to library services without using an ID card.

Security
Eliminates concerns over unauthorized use of lost or stolen library ID cards.

Environmentally Friendly
Contributes to resource conservation by reducing the number of cards issued.

2. Improved administrative efficiency through use of RFID tags

By attaching RFID tags to the library's materials, the lending process can be automated and made faster. Management of the library's bibliographic resources can also be accomplished with more speed and efficiency. In addition, the system will help prevent unauthorized removal of materials form the premises.

Unique Authentication Features of the Contactless Palm Vein Authentication Technology

Identity verification is achieved by comparing a user's pre-registered palm vein pattern to the data read by a contactless palm vein authentication device, linked to the library's administrative terminal.

Verification requires no direct contact with the device and is achieved simply by suspending the hand over the device. The system thereby minimizes any possible psychological resistance to use due to hygiene concerns that arise when multiple individuals touch the same device. Palm vein authentication is also safe to use, since only a minimal amount of near-infrared light is used when reading the vein pattern.

Future Developments

Fujitsu intends to adapt its contactless palm vein authentication technology for use in the security, financial, heath care, government and public sector fields as it expands its business on a global basis.