Human Recognition Systems

Vein recognition systems are amongst the newest biometric technologies to have emerged in the recent past. Vein authentication uses the vascular patterns of an individual's palm/finger/back of the hand as personal identification data. Veins and other subcutaneous features in the human hand present large, robust, stable and largely hidden patterns. The deoxidized hemoglobin in the vein vessels absorbs light having a wavelength in the near-infrared area. When an infrared ray image is captured only the blood vessel pattern containing the deoxidized hemoglobin are visible as a series of dark lines. Based on this feature, the vein authentication device translates the black lines of the infrared ray image, and then matches it with the previously registered pattern of the individual.

Vein authentication technology consists of a small vein scanner - the users simply need to hold the palm/finger/back of hand a few centimeters over the scanner and the scanner reads the unique vein pattern. Vein recognition works by recording subcutaneous Infra Red (IR) absorption patterns to produce unique and private identification templates for users. Subcutaneous features can be conveniently imaged within the wrist, palm, and dorsal surfaces of the hand.

HRS: Vein Recognition Solutions

While Vein recognition technology has extensive applications it remains to be tested in large identity projects. Vein recognition solutions have been implemented in a number of small and medium size applications noticeably across the banking and education sector. HRS is actively working in close partnership with some of the leading names to introduce commercially robust solutions across the public and private sector.

How does Vein Recognition Work?

Vein recognition works on the fact that everyone has distinct vein patterns. Vein recogntion systems record subcutaneous Infra Red (IR) absorption patterns to produce unique and private identification templates for users. The technology works as a vascular "bar" code reader for people.

Veins and other subcutaneous features present large, robust, stable and largely hidden patterns. Subcutaneous features can be conveniently imaged within the wrist, palm, and dorsal surfaces of the hand and further used for identification or verification.

Vein pattern IR grey-scale images are binarised, compressed and stored within a relational database of 2D vein images. Subjects are verified against a reference template. There are different types of vein recognition technology, which include finger vein, wrist vein, palm, and backhand vein recognition. The underlying concept of scanning remains the same with each of these techniques.

How is Vein Recognition being used?

The vein recognition technology has extensive applications and can be applied to small personal biometric systems e.g. Biowatches and Biokeys and to generic biometric applications including intelligent door handles, door locks etc". The robustness of the system can be measured from the fact that its current applications include cash machines and ATMs. Some other applications of vein recognition include:

• Computer Log Ins
• POS Authentication
• Time Attendance Applications
• Physical Access Control

Advantages of using Vein Recognition

• The vein patterns are unique to each individual and apart from size; the pattern does not change over time.
• A contact free technology involving no physical contact with the hardware.
• Extremely difficult to steal/misuse as veins are not visible to naked eye.
• Not contact models are more hygienic than all forms of contact biometrics