Vein Recognition

What is biometric vein recognition?

Vein recognition, otherwise known as vascular biometrics, refers to technology that measures parts of a subject’s circulatory system which is a s unique to her as a fingerprint. Segmented into different sub-modalities, vascular biometrics solutions use optical scanning technology to capture vein images in your palm, finger, or eyeball.

Because of the sub-dermal nature of veins, vascular biometrics are considered to be a highly secure modality. Whereas other types of biometrics, particularly where the cheaper consumer grade is concerned, have proven vulnerable to presentation attacks, vein patterns are virtually un-spoofable, especially considering that some vein readers require scanned veins to have blood flowing through them.

Where can I find biometric vein recognition?

Vein recognition is generally used in high risk deployments where space is not an issue. Physical access control and corporate banking are verticals where the modality is more common. But, like all biometrics, advances in mobile technology and innovations in design and manufacturing are contributing to a broadening the areas of application for the vascular modality.

Mobile devices are beginning to surface with vein recognition capabilities. Fujitsu’s vein scanning tablet can authenticate users via palm vein, and multiple smartphones from ZTE are shipping with Eyeprint ID software, which uses a smartphone camera to capture vein patterns in a user’s eye. There is even a rumor circulating, based on a recent patent filing by Apple, that the Apple Watch 2 will sport some sort of vein recognition.

How is biometric vein recognition making a difference?

Ambitious plans to have tourists visiting Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics pay for everything using only biometrics have been shown to involve vein scanning in addition to fingerprint biometrics.

A vascular recognition-based payments system called FingoPay is currently being piloted. FingoPay allows for Point of Sale retail transactions to be conducted simply with the scan of a finger’s veins.

As mentioned above, smartphones are already shipping with eye-vein scanning technology built in. A software based segment of the overall modality, Eyeprint ID has also been built into apps that can be downloaded to any modern smartphone.

Palm vein scanning, courtesy of Fujitsu, is protecting The Kay Family Foundation Innovation Lab at UC Irvine. The lab is host to the school’s AppJam competition and houses valuable communication and design technologies. As a high traffic area containing tech worth protecting, the Innovation Lab is a perfect candidate for vascular biometric access control.