Fujitsu PalmSecure Gets Certified by International Biometric Group

Dec. 21, 2006
Sensor evaluated for accuracy and usability; fared well in Failure to Enroll tests

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 sensor has received Biometric Performance Certification through evaluation in International Biometric Group's Comparative Biometric Testing (CBT). Comparative Biometric Testing evaluates full biometric systems typically utilized in access control, point-of-sale, border management, logical access and ID systems applications.

International Biometric Group (IBG) is a technology-neutral and vendor- independent consulting and services company. IBG's Comparative Biometric Testing evaluates the accuracy and usability of biometric products using scenario-based testing, and strives to understand biometric performance under real-world conditions. CBT Round 6 is the first major independent test to evaluate multiple vascular recognition technologies. Such assessments are typically based on a comparison of recognition samples and enrollment templates. In the case of the Fujitsu PalmSecure sensor, approximately 40,000 genuine comparisons and 50 million imposter comparisons were executed.

Results of the IBG study revealed that the Fujitsu PalmSecure device performed exceptionally well in the failure to enroll (FTE) testing; only one person out of 1290 did not finish the enrollment process given the test criteria, a failure rate of only .08%. This extremely low rate indicates that the PalmSecure device is highly applicable for virtually every individual, and does not impose any physiological restrictions when users interface with the device. Additionally, the Fujitsu PalmSecure device achieved a median Recognition Attempt Duration of 2.13 seconds, significantly lower than that of iris recognition technology. This showing further indicates that the PalmSecure device has high usability, is easy for users to learn, and is ideal for high-volume and large-scale application deployment.

Most importantly, the Fujitsu PalmSecure sensor fared well when tested for authentication accuracy. The device's false acceptance rate (FAR) and false rejection rate (FRR) were extremely low, outperforming two competitor products at standard and high security. Performance differences between same-day and different-day transactions were also minimal when compared to other products in the evaluation. Thus, once users learned how to use the device, they were able to use it successfully on an ongoing basis. This data further confirms that the PalmSecure device features high accuracy and optimal usability, both of which are highly relevant to real-world conditions.

"Fujitsu is very pleased with the successful CBT test results on the PalmSecure biometric authentication device," said Joel Hagberg, vice president, marketing and business development, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. "International Biometric Group is a well-respected biometric consulting company and is a subject matter expert servicing government and commercial companies. Their study validates our research regarding the robust accuracy and high level of applicability of the PalmSecure sensor."

The Fujitsu PalmSecure sensor provides a contactless, hygienic and non- invasive means to authenticate identity. Leveraging over twenty years of image recognition and processing technology, the product works by capturing a near-infrared image of the palm vein pattern. The proprietary algorithm takes this data, converts it into a digitized biometric template, and then matches it against a pre-registered template.

The device is especially advantageous when deployed for large-scale 1:1 authentication systems, user login systems, physical access control, and other industrial specific device/system access applications. In addition, the Fujitsu PalmSecure sensor can be used for data access security, acting as a gatekeeper for computer and network access.