Fujitsu Announces Launch of its Contactless Palm Vein Authentication Technology

Kuala Lumpur, September 06, 2005

Fujitsu Malaysia, a leading IT and communications solutions provider, today announced its new contactless palm vein authentication device to the local market as part of Fujitsu’s global launch. There is increasing demand worldwide from governments to private sectors (including enterprises and individuals) for leading-edge biometric security technology. Fujitsu will strive to meet these needs and aim to promote its advanced security palm vein authentication technology with the goal of creating a de-facto standard in high-security markets.

Fujitsu's palm vein authentication technology works by utilizing the unique characteristic of deoxidized hemoglobin. The palm vein device captures the palm image while radiating it with near-infrared rays. The deoxidized hemoglobin in the palm vein absorbs these rays, thereby reducing the reflection rate and causing the veins to appear as a black pattern. This vein pattern is then verified against the pre-registered pattern to authenticate the individual. As veins are internal in the body and have a wealth of differentiating features, assuming false identity through forgery is extremely difficult, thereby enabling an extremely high level of security.

In addition to providing outstanding security, ease of use of Fujitsu’s palm vein device is key. The user simply places the palm of the hand above the reader and the machine does all the work, creating a contactless, hygienic solution necessary for public areas.

Fujitsu’s palm vein device is distinctive because its sensor is only able to recognize the pattern if hemoglobin is actively flowing through the person’s veins. Additionally, research to date by Fujitsu indicates that each individual’s palm vein pattern is unique, even in the case of identical twins. These factors give Fujitsu’s palm vein device an edge over competing biometric identification products.

“Fujitsu is extremely proud to announce the palm vein device as it bears testimony to the company’s continuous drive to improve, upgrade and reinvent to produce the latest and state-of-the-art technologies that differentiate itself from others,” said Mr Hiroshi Tomita, Senior Manager of Marketing and Business Development, Fujitsu Malaysia. “Fujitsu is well poised to be a dominant player in the dynamic biometrics market with the introduction of this uniquely designed and amazingly sophisticated yet easy to use palm vein device.“

Applications for Fujitsu’s palm vein technology are vast and span several vertical markets, including security, financial/banking, access control, healthcare and government applications. Several Fujitsu customers in Japan have already adopted the palm vein device for the following appplications: identification purposes in financial institutions; access control for high-security areas; and customer and employee identification.

Measuring 7cm x 7cm x 2.7cm and weighing under 90g, Fujitsu’s palm vein authentication device can be easily integrated with security-related solutions from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and systems integrators. The device comes bundled with library software and a USB 2.0 interface.

For more information on Fujitsu’s palm vein authentication device, please check on http://my.fujitsu.com or visit Fujitsu’s booth (S35 & S40) during MSC ICT Fair 2005 at Millennium Hall, Kepala Batas, Penang from 7th to 10th September 2005.