R&D
Fujitsu Palm Vein Technology

How secure are your assets? Can your personal identification number be easily guessed? As we increasingly rely on computers and other machines in our daily lives, ensuring the security of personal information and assets becomes more of a challenge. If your bank card or personal data falls into the wrong hands, others can profit at your expense. To help deal with this growing problem, Fujitsu has developed a unique biometric security technology that puts access in the palm of your hand and no one else's.

Fujitsu's palm vein authentication technology consists of a small palm vein scanner that's easy and natural to use, fast and highly accurate. Simply hold your palm a few centimeters over the scanner and within a second it reads your unique vein pattern. A vein picture is taken and your pattern is registered. Now no one else can log in under your profile. ATM transactions are just one of the many applications of this new technology.

Fujitsu's technology capitalizes on the special features of the veins in the palm. Vein patterns are unique even among identical twins. Indeed each hand has a unique pattern. Try logging in with your left hand after registering with your right, and you'll be denied access. The scanner makes use of a special characteristic of the reduced hemoglobin coursing through the palm veins — it absorbs near-infrared light. This makes it possible to take a snapshot of what's beneath the outer skin, something very hard to read or steal.

Besides the high accuracy of a false rejection rate of 0.01% and a false acceptance rate of less than 0.00008 %(as of February, 2005), Fujitsu's contactless palm vein authentication offers a range of advantages over other biometric technologies.

"Fingerprint scans and face recognition ID methods are associated with the police by some people on a psychological level," says Shigeru Sasaki, director of Fujitsu's Media Solutions Laboratory. (Interview date: Feb 2nd, 2005) "In public areas, others don't like the thought of touching what everyone else has touched for sanitary reasons. This is why we created a contactless palm vein scanner."

The near-infrared rays in the palm vein scanner have no effect on the body when scanning. To protect the privacy and personal information of the user, the registered biometric information itself can be stored in bank cards. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi ATMs in Japan are already equipped with palm vein scanners developed by Fujitsu. Users access their accounts by having a scan of their palm compared to a pre-registered scan stored on their bank card. This is expected to help reduce the growing cases of bank card thefts and fraudulent financial transactions.

Amid the heightened security climate in recent years and fears of terrorism, there has been a surge in demand for accurate biometric authentication methods. Meanwhile, recent bank card forgery cases in Japan have numbered in the hundreds, involving dozens of financial institutions and hundreds of millions of yen. Victims are usually unaware their money is being stolen until it's too late.

Bank card security isn't just the responsibility of the end user. Financial institutions around the world are being urged to take a greater role in preventing bank card fraud by improving card security. Japan's Financial Services Agency, for instance, has called on banks to implement added security measures such as introducing biometric identification systems.

Fujitsu's palm vein authentication technology will help stop this new wave of crime, and can also be adapted for use in access to secure areas as well as online transactions, customer identification and claiming baggage.

"You could also use it to get into your house, and to access your PC or terminal," says Akira Kuroki, general manager in Fujitsu's Ubiquitous Systems Group. (Interview date: Feb 2nd, 2005)

Fujitsu will continue to develop the promising new technology of contactless palm vein authentication by shrinking the scanner. A future goal Fujitsu is enthusiastically working toward is incorporating the scanner in mobile phones. This is expected to drastically change the way mobile phones are used. The security of handheld electronic devices will become increasingly important as they store more personal information. In all these applications, the key to securing your assets and data will be in the palm of your hand.

Related Press Releases

11 September 2007  Tokyo, Japan

Fujitsu Begins Sales of World's First PC Mouse Equipped with Palm Vein Biometric Authentication Sensor

Tokyo, September 11, 2007 – Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Frontech Limited today announced that they have developed a PC Login Kit for use with the PalmSecure palm vein biometric authentication device and begun sales of a mouse model and a standard model for corporate users.

2 August 2007  Tokyo and Munich, Japan and Germany

Siemens and Fujitsu Collaborate in Biometric Authentication Business

Tokyo and Munich, August 2, 2007 – Fujitsu Limited today announced that its FENICSII Personal Access Solution has won the "Best of Show Award" Special Award in the Security category at Interop Tokyo 2007, being held in Tokyo from June 13 to 15. Of the various network-related products, solutions, and services exhibited, the award is presented to the best and most suitable one for the Interop theme of this year, which is "The Internet: Solutions to Accelerate Your Business." The Special Award won by Fujitsu is the top award that was presented in the Security category at Interop Tokyo 2007.

24 July 2007  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu PalmSecure™ Integrated Into Carolinas HealthCare System Patient Registration Program

Sunnyvale, July 24, 2007 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of innovative computer products including hard disk drives, peripherals, and biometric security solutions, today announced that the Fujitsu PalmSecure™ biometric authentication sensor is being deployed throughout the Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) Charlotte-area hospitals as a part of a solution to effectively register patient's information, and protect their medical record and identity. As the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas, and the third largest public system in the nation, CHS expects to install these biometric sensors in all patient registration sites in their Charlotte-area hospitals.

27 February 2007  Tokyo, Japan

Fujitsu Implements PalmSecure™ Biometric Palm Vein Authentication System for Electronic Medical Record Access at Hospital Operated by National Institute of Radiological Sciences

Tokyo, February 27, 2007 – World's first implementation of biometric palm vein authentication for access of electronic medical records

26 February 2007  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu To Implement PalmSecure™ Biometric Authentication Device At The City Of Angels Medical Center

Sunnyvale, February 26, 2007 – Award-winning PalmSecure Sensor to Help Streamline Healthcare Administrative Processes and Safeguard Unauthorized Access to the Protected Health Records

8 January 2007  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu and Softex Combine Biometric and Password Management Security Into One Powerful Solution

Sunnyvale, January 8, 2007 – PalmSecure™ and OmniPass™ Technology Protect Identities and Information

18 December 2006  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu PalmSecure™ Technology Receives Certification From International Biometric Group

Sunnyvale, December 18, 2006 – Leading-edge Biometric Authentication Device Evaluated in Comparative Biometric Testing Round 6

2 November 2006  Tokyo, Japan

Fujitsu PalmSecure™ Biometric Palm Vein Authentication Deployed by Hair Care Company Aderans for PC Log-in System

Tokyo, November 2, 2006 – First-ever use in hair care industry of palm vein-based authentication for secure protection of personal data

26 October 2006  London, UK

Yarg Biometrics and Fujitsu Europe Partner to Develop a Pioneering Palm Vein-based Biometric ID Solution for Schools

London, October 26, 2006 – Palm vein biometric authentication replaces canteen cash payment at Todholm Primary School in Scotland as part of a government project

25 September 2006  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu and Softex Deliver a Single Solution for Biometric Authentication and Password Management

Sunnyvale, September 25, 2006 – Fujitsu Integrates Softex OmniPass Software into the Award Winning PalmSecure™ Biometric Authentication Device for Dual-Layer Identity Assurance

18 September 2006  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu To Demonstrate PalmSecure Biometric Device and Mag EraSURE Degaussers at ASIS International 2006

Sunnyvale, September 18, 2006 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of innovative computer products including hard disk drives, peripherals and biometric security solutions, today announced that it will showcase its PalmSecure™ biometric authentication device and Mag EraSURE™ degaussers at the ASIS International 2006 conference, September 25-28, 2006 at the San Diego Convention Center

14 September 2006  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu to Demonstrate PalmSecure™ Biometric Authentication Device at 2006 Biometrics Consortium Conference

Sunnyvale, September 14, 2006 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of innovative computer products including hard disk drives, peripherals and biometric security solutions, today announced that attendees of the 2006 Biometric Consortium Conference, September 19-21, 2006 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD can view and experience the award winning PalmSecure™ biometric authentication device as well as its solutions with collaborative companies

12 July 2006  Sao Paulo, Brasil

Fujitsu Introduces New Biometric Security Solution for ATMs in Brazil

Sao Paulo, July 12, 2006 – Fujitsu PalmSecure ™ biometric palm vein authentication; ideal solution for financial corporations requiring high-level security

14 March 2006  Sunnyvale and Reston, USA

Fujitsu and Secured Services Combine Biometric and Identity Management Authentication

Sunnyvale and Reston, March 14, 2006 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative computer products including hard disk drives, peripherals and biometric security solutions, and Secured Services, Inc. have successfully certified the Fujitsu PalmSecure™ biometric authentication device for SecuredUser, an identity management solution offering multifactor authentication, single sign-on and provisioning.

9 March 2006  Tokyo and Hannover, Japan and Germany

Fujitsu Launches Worldwide Sales of New Compact, High-Performance Palm Vein Biometric Authentication Device

Tokyo and Hannover, March 9, 2006 – Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Laboratories Limited today announced the joint development and commercial introduction of a significantly more compact and higher performance model of their original award-winning contactless palm vein biometric authentication device. Targeting a major expansion of its biometric security systems business, Fujitsu will market the new device worldwide under the PalmSecure™ brand beginning today.

8 March 2006  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu Launches Its Next-Generation, Compact, High-Performance Palm Vein Biometric Authentication Device

Sunnyvale, March 8, 2006 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of innovative computer products including hard disk drives, peripherals and biometric security solutions, today announced the global launch of its new compact and higher performance PalmSecure™ biometric authentication device. Leveraging the dynamic capabilities of the original model, this second generation product boasts a smaller form factor and a significant increase in the authentication speed, as well as other enhanced features.

22 February 2006  Washington, USA

Fujitsu to Demonstrate PalmSecure™ Biometric Authentication at AFCEA Homeland Security 2006

Washington, February 22, 2006 – Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a leading supplier of IT and wireline/wireless networking solutions, and Fujitsu Computer Products of America, one of the world’s leading suppliers of innovative computer products, today announced that the PalmSecure™ biometric palm vein authentication device will be demonstrated, and government solutions discussed, at the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Homeland Security 2006 conference in Washington, D.C. Fujitsu will also discuss mission-critical networking, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions for homeland defense.

6 February 2006  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu PalmSecure™ Selected for Display at the 2006 Congressional Internet Caucus Technology Fair

Sunnyvale, February 6, 2006 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world’s leading suppliers of innovative computer products including hard disk drives, peripherals and biometric security solutions, today announced that its PalmSecure™ biometric authentication device was selected for display at the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee’s (ICAC) 9th Annual Kickoff Reception and Technology Fair, on Feb. 8, in Washington, D.C.

6 February 2006  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu To Present Biometric and Data Security Solutions for Medical Practitioners at HIMSS 2006

Sunnyvale, February 6, 2006 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world’s leading suppliers of innovative computer products including hard disk drives, peripherals and biometric security solutions, today announced that it will showcase its PalmSecure™ biometric security technology at the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference & Exhibition, Feb. 12-16, 2006 in San Diego, Calif.

22 December 2005  Tokyo, Japan

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.

18 November 2005  Johannesburg, South Africa

Estate Implements Fujitsu Palm Vein Authentication Technology for Condominium Entrance Access Security

Johannesburg, November 18, 2005 – Fujitsu’s contactless palm vein authentication technology is now being implemented for front entrance security at various condominiums being constructed in Japan.

16 November 2005  Sunnyvale, USA

Fujitsu Receives Prestigious CES 'Best of Innovations' Award for PalmSecureTM Biometric Technology

Sunnyvale, November 16, 2005 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of hard disk drives and computer peripherals, today announced that it has received the "Best of Innovations" award in the biometrics category at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovations Design and Engineering Awards.

15 November 2005  Sydney, Australia

Fujitsu launches contactless palm vein authentication technology at Gartner Symposium

Sydney, November 15, 2005 – Fujitsu today announced the local launch of its contactless palm vein device for biometric authentication security, PalmSecure. PalmSecure offers advanced biometric authentication security that is significantly harder to breach than comparable technologies, while offering a more hygienic and user-friendly alternative to other hand and finger authentication technologies. PalmSecure will be demonstrated in Australia for the first time at the Gartner Symposium, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, 15-18 November 2005.

10 November 2005  London, UK

Palm Vein: Your Hand Is The Key

London, November 10, 2005 – Fujitsu demonstrates leading biometrics authentication technology at major European security conferences

25 October 2005  Kawasaki, Japan

Fujitsu Palm Vein Authentication Technology Wins The Wall Street Journal 2005 Innovation Award for Security in Networks

Kawasaki, October 25, 2005 – Fujitsu palm vein authentication technology has won The Wall Street Journal's 2005 Innovation Award in the category of Security for Networks. The award was granted to Fujitsu Laboratories Limited.

13 September 2005  Sunnyvale, USA

From Fingerprints to Palm Veins, Fujitsu to Demonstrate Biometric Technologies at 2005 Biometric Consortium

Sunnyvale, September 13, 2005 – Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of hard disk drives and computer peripherals, and Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc., an innovative semiconductor products and solution provider serving North and South America, will demonstrate their complementary biometric technologies at the 2005 Biometric Consortium Conference at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va. on September 19-21. On display will be the palm vein authentication device, the MBF200 single touch fingerprint sensor, and the MBF310 Sweep Sensor™ ICs.

18 August 2005  Tokyo, Japan

Meiwa Estate Implements Fujitsu Palm Vein Authentication Technology for Condominium Entrance Access Security

Tokyo, August 18, 2005 – First residential use of palm vein biometric security in metropolitan Tokyo

30 June 2005  Tokyo, Japan

Fujitsu Announces Global Launch of its Contactless Palm Vein Authentication Technology

Tokyo, June 30, 2005 – Fujitsu Limited today announced the global launch of its contactless palm vein authentication device for biometric authentication security. Fujitsu aims to establish a de facto standard in the area of high security biometric authentication with its palm vein authentication technology, and from July this year will collaborate with its group companies in North America, Europe, and Asia to aggressively drive its palm vein authentication business in these regions, with other regions to follow.

22 June 2005  Tokyo, Japan

Chiba Institute of Technology To Implement World's First Student I.D. System Using Fujitsu Palm Vein Authentication Technology with Smart Cards to Securely Access Student Records

Tokyo, June 22, 2005 – Chiba Institute of Technology, Fujitsu Limited, and Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. today announced that the Chiba Institute of Technology will deploy the world's first student I.D.

11 May 2005  Tokyo, Japan

The University of Tokyo Hospital Deploys Fujitsu's Contactless Palm Vein Authentication Technology for Room Access Security

Tokyo, May 11, 2005 – Fujitsu Limited today announced its development of a room access security system utilizing its contactless palm vein authentication technology, for room access security of the Department of Planning, Information and Management of the University of Tokyo Hospital.

5 May 2005  London, United Kingdom

Growing security fears around card fraud lead to demand for biometric identification

London, May 5, 2005 – Growing customer fears over the security of banking services and the increase of phishing attacks, card cloning and PIN number theft are leading to a demand for biometric identification security, according to research commissioned by Fujitsu Services, one of Europe's leading IT management services companies.

31 March 2003  Tokyo, Japan

Fujitsu Develops Technology for World's First Contactless Palm Vein Pattern Biometric Authentication Systemv

Tokyo, March 31, 2003 – Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. today announced that it has developed a technology for the world's first contactless biometric authentication system that can verify a person's identity by recognizing the pattern of blood veins in the palm.