The proliferation of network products and services has led to an increased need for personal identification and interface systems which are both user-friendly and highly advanced in their ability to protect personal information. The "mofiria" finger vein authentication system developed by Sony is easily mounted on personal computers and mobile devices, including mobile phones. Thanks to its unique optical mechanism and algorithm, it offers high-speed response in a highly-compact package. The "mofiria" system doesn't require the finger be held in a certain position because finger position is automatically accounted for and simultaneously corrected as the vein pattern is quickly and accurately reproduced from the captured image.
What is Finger Vein Authentication?
Finger vein authentication is a method for identifying individuals according to vein patterns in their fingers. Vein patterns vary from individual to individual, as well as finger to finger, even on the same hand. These patterns do not change over time. Because authentication is based on veins located within the human body, falsification is extremely difficult, and authentication accuracy is superior to other biometric methods.
Compact Design Thanks to Reflective Dispersion Technology
Sony's "mofiria" employs a unique reflective dispersion method. Infrared light emitted by an LED is directed at the veins, causing light to be dispersed inside the finger. A CMOS sensor captures this light and efficiently turns it into an image. With the reflective dispersion method, LED light is diagonally projected at the veins to produce images. This ensures that the "mofiria" system is highly compact and allows a great deal of freedom when using this system in tandem with other products or services, because "mofiria" components can even be positioned laterally without affecting the ability of "mofiria" to do its job.
Four Processessing Algorithms for Finger Vein Patterns
Four algorithms are used together to identify features in blood flow patterns from vein images captured by the system.
- --Centerline detection--
- The "mofiria" system detects the centerlines of finger veins, which are less likely to be influenced by changes in the weather or physical condition of the individual.
- --Straight line pattern authentication--
- Differences in finger position can cause rotation or scale distortion. The "mofiria" system enhances authentication accuracy by detecting dominant straight line patterns in the finger veins.
- --Low contrast--
- Light adjustments are unnecessary since the system can identify patterns even under poor lighting.
- --Enhanced noise tolerance--
- The system features advanced noise tolerance, ensuring highly-accurate authentication even when using a general-purpose CMOS sensor.
