NEC announced a new fingerprint identification unit, PU900-10, which utilizes some of the world’s most advanced fingerprint matching technology and certification software. The new product will be available in Taiwan and Hong Kong beginning August 1 and from Japan starting August 20.

The fingerprint identification unit is a compact scanner that connects to PCs through a USB cable in order to carry out high quality identification procedures using certification software. NEC is currently planning to ship approximately three hundred thousand units throughout global markets with sales approaching five billion yen.

The increasing use of networks requires authentication and tight security in order to ensure and protect a vast range of information at both the private and corporate level. Following this trend, fingerprint identification has undergone significant growth and NEC’s new unit will provide greater security at a lower cost throughout markets spanning the globe.

The new product features one of the world’s most accurate fingerprint matching algorithms. It capitalizes on NEC’s original fingerprint matching algorithm, the Minutiae and Related Method, which holds the No.1 position in the NIST’s (National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US) technology evaluation.

NEC implemented its “Radiated Light Reading Method” fingerprint sensors in the new unit. This imaging method, which reads light as it is scattered and radiated through a finger, enables ridges to be easily and clearly recognized, even from dry or moist skin. The unit also delivers high resolution images (1000 dpi) that facilitate the recognition of ridges on thin and small fingers.

Various authentication libraries are provided that enable fingerprint authentication capabilities to be included in applications. These libraries enable a wide variety of applications to be developed, ranging from OS logins and screensaver unlocks (used for individual PCs as a substitute for ID and password-based authentication), to comprehensive user certification subsystems on large-scale software developments.

In order to promote international sales, the new unit has been certified by a variety of standardization bodies such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories, US), CSA (Canadian Standards Association), VCCI (Voluntary Control for Information Technology Equipment, US), and BSMI (The Bureau of Standard, Metrology and Inspection Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan)

NEC will continue to provide superior products using high level biometrics certification technologies in order to ensure greater security and peace of mind for businesses and individuals throughout the world.

The new fingerprint device unit will be shown at NEC Taiwan’s Solution Fair on July 9, 2009.