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Fujitsu Develops Prototype Smartphone with Iris Authentication

Next-generation authentication method will make smartphones more convenient, more secure

Fujitsu Limited

Tokyo, March 02, 2015

Fujitsu today announced that it has developed an iris authentication system and has built it into a prototype smartphone. Just by looking at the smartphone's screen, the user's iris gets read instantaneously, enabling the smartphone to be unlocked.

Currently, smartphones typically use either a password or fingerprint scan to unlock the screen or for other authentication purposes. Fujitsu's new authentication method uses iris recognition, which is hard to forge and convenient to use. The screen can be unlocked simply by looking at it, which eliminates the trouble of having to use one's hands such as at times when one is wearing gloves and cannot use one's fingerprint. This results in a dramatic improvement in usability. In addition to unlocking smartphones, iris authentication could be used to log into web services without having to input an ID or password, enabling simple and secure access. Fujitsu will explore applying this technology to a wide range of fields, including security systems.

This prototype will be exhibited and demonstrated at Mobile World Congress 2015, running from March 2 through March 5 in Barcelona, at the Fujitsu booth in Hall 5, 5A40.

Background

Smartphones and tablets carry not only personally significant photos and videos, they also are where people access electronic money and personal information, and the importance of security for both personal and business is rising. In light of this, Fujitsu has focused on developing a number of authentication technologies for smartphones, tablets, and computers, including vein authentication for personal computers and fingerprint authentication for mobile phones. While smartphones all come with some form of security as a standard feature today, many users choose not to use these features because of the trouble of inputting a password or using one's hands. To resolve this problem, Fujitsu developed the new iris authentication system, which, in addition to being secure, offers ease of use.

Figure: Schematic of smartphone prototype equipped with infrared camera and infrared LED.Figure: Schematic of smartphone prototype equipped with infrared camera and infrared LED.

About the Technology

1. A new form of biometric authentication using the iris

Iris authentication is one type of biometric authentication. It authenticates a person by authenticating the pattern of the person's iris, which is the ring around the pupil of the eye. Fujitsu has succeeded in miniaturizing and optimizing existing iris authentication technology for incorporation into a smartphone. The pattern of one's iris does not change much at all after the age of two, it is difficult to injure its surface, and is difficult to forge.

2. Using infrared light to acquire the iris pattern, and for registration and verification

Movements of the smooth muscle of the iris make human eye openings larger or smaller, adjusting the amount of light that enters the retina. Iris authentication technology discerns a person's identity using the pattern of the person's irises, which are unique for each individual, much like a fingerprint. That pattern is read by shining an infrared LED light(1) on the eyes and taking an image of them with an infrared camera(2) to acquire the iris pattern, which is registered and used to verify matches. The iris authentication system that Fujitsu has developed achieves highly precise authentication and is able to be used in smart devices for greater convenience.

Fujitsu's Iris Authentication System

The parts that make up existing iris authentication systems have not had the size or performance that would lend them to use in smartphones. Fujitsu developed a custom compact and high-output infrared LED, and a custom infrared camera. These were combined with camera controller technology and biometric-authentication technology that Fujitsu has been developing for many years. The result is a system that can reliably authenticate the detailed patterns of the iris and that can be used in most everyday situations. Because this uses ActiveIRIS® from Delta ID, a high-speed, high-reliability iris recognition engine, this system can be used at a normal smartphone viewing distance, rather than within the 10-cm range that most existing iris recognition systems require. In standard photobiological safety testing (IEC 62471), the infrared LED light was verified to be safe for the eyes.

Future Development

The iris authentication system used in the prototype could be used in smartphones and tablets, of course, but could also be used in a wide range of other applications, including security solutions. Fujitsu is conducting ongoing research and development on this iris authentication technology and ways to broaden its scope, with the goal of a commercial implementation during fiscal 2015.

Related Links

(Updated March 13, 2015)
The prototype smartphone with iris authentication exhibited at the Mobile World Congress 2015 received the "Best Innovation Award" from AndroidPIT.
For details (Japanese only)


  • [1] Infrared LED

    An LED that emits light in a waveband appropriate for capturing an image of the iris.

  • [2] Infrared camera

    Unlike normal photographic cameras, this is a special kind of camera that captures the waveband of light emitted by an infrared LED.

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 162,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.8 trillion yen (US$46 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.

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All company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.

ActiveIRIS® is a registered trademark of Delta ID Inc.

Date: 02 March, 2015
City: Tokyo
Company: Fujitsu Limited