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JCB introduces payment by 'fingertip
blood vessel'
8 March
2004
Mark Lockie
Japan's largest credit card issuer and
acquirer JCB has introduced a fingertip
blood vessel pattern authentication
system that combines payment
authentication with access control.
The first facility scheduled to use the
system is a 156-unit condominium in
Osaka, Japan, due to be completed in
March 2005.
The multifunctional system is designed
to allow residents to open doors and pay
for purchases by placing one finger in
an infrared reader.
The VA blood vessel authentication
technology is developed by domestic
supplier Bionics. According to the
company, blood vessel patterns are
genetically determined, and are unique
to the individual.
The authentication process is relatively
simple; one finger is placed in the
reader and an image of the blood vessel
pattern is taken by CCD camera under
infrared light. This image is compared
with a pre-enrolled pattern for
identification.
Access to shared areas and individual
condominiums are controlled by the
system. In addition, purchases made
through the system will be charged on
the resident's JCB credit card. The
centre includes a shop with food and
other necessities, photo developing and
dry cleaning, as well as offering
educational seminars and other events
for residents.
According to Bionics, verification time
is approximately one second, while the
false reject percentage is quoted at
0.01% with a false accept percentage of
0.0001%.
Mr. Omoto, executive vice president and
general manager of JCB's Advanced
Technologies Department, commented: "JCB
is actively engaging in efforts to
integrate biometrics technology into
payment systems. We have already
announced an initiative for using
fingerprint authorization devices in
mobile phones, and the launch of this
payment system using finger blood vessel
pattern authentication is our next
advance. In order to maintain a high
rate of progress we will be continuing
to integrate advanced technology with
payment systems."
The new system could be incorporated in
30 new complexes within the next three
years, the companies claim.
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