- Fingerprint Authentication Using "Level 3 Features” Now for Practical Use -

The University of Tokyo III (Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies) Secure Information Society Research Group (SiSOC TOKYO Group) and DDS, Inc. based in Nagoya, central Japan, announced on April 9 that they have successfully developed a new analytical algorithm that utilizes “level 3 features” obtained from a high-resolution image of fingerprints.

As biometric authentication technologies including fingerprint authentication and face recognition become increasingly popular, the importance of addressing false recognition of forged fingerprints as well as recognizing the biological reaction has been increasing more than ever before. Traditional fingerprint authentication technology based on image analysis identifies fingerprints by their “level 1 features” (the types of their shape including a loop, a whorl, and an arch (*1)), and “level 2 features” (specific characteristics of fingerprints including the endpoints and branching points of the fingerprint ridges). However, traditional fingerprint authentication technologies are not immune to false recognition, especially in applications like a small, low-cost sensor used in devices such as smartphones that have capacity and cost constraints.

The SiSOC TOKYO Group/DDS team has successfully developed a high-precision authentication algorithm that analyzes the microstructure of fingerprint ridges, including level 3 features such as sweat pores (*2), in addition to the traditional level 1 and 2 features. As there are far more numbers of microstructures, including sweat pores, than endpoints and branching points of the fingerprint ridges used in traditional technologies, even a small-area sensor is capable of providing a high-precision analysis by using high-resolution images and extracting the microstructures for personal identification.

The project builds upon industry-academic collaboration, specifically between DDS and Prof. Taizo Umezaki, a research professor at SiSOC TOKYO Group. The team successfully developed an algorithm to achieve a high-precision dermal microstructure analysis, which is otherwise difficult with traditional technologies, to extract unique characteristics for identifying the individual, establishing a personal authentication method with a high recognition rate in the biometric authentication area.

The team will accelerate the development to support smaller fingerprint sensor applications, improve its anti-counterfeit capabilities, and offer the new fingerprint authentication system based on the algorithm to device suppliers including smartphone manufacturers.

(Image1: High-resolution sensor image of a fingerprint

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201803272348-O1-pYhgE7Aa)

(Image2: Information extracted from the level 3 features

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201803272348-O2-0sKT37KB)

Glossary

(*1) Loop, whorl, and arch types:

- Loop type: Also called a hoof type as it is shaped like a horse hoof. Approximately 40% of Japanese have this type of fingerprint.

- Whorl type: Also called a spiral type as its center is in spiral shape. Approximately 50% of Japanese have this type of fingerprint.

- Arch type: Also called a bow type as it is shaped like a bow. Approximately 10% of Japanese have this type of fingerprint.

(*2) Sweat pore: Dermal exit point of sweat.

About SiSOC TOKYO Group

The University of Tokyo Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies has opened SiSOC-TOKYO Research Group with a donation by Mr. Kenji Miyoshino, President of DDS.

SiSOC-TOKYO will research cybersecurity and its interdisciplinary areas, management of identities and personal authentication based on biometric information, and educate specialists in cybersecurity. It collaborates with various education and research organizations including foreign organizations.

http://sisoc-tokyo.iii.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/

About DDS

DDS is a fabless venture company engaged in the research and development of multimedia products based on leading-edge information technologies. Based on its vision of matching sleeping technologies and market needs through the realization of technology transfer from research institutions such as colleges, DDS wishes to create significant added value toward achieving a ubiquitous society where everyone can enjoy high-quality digital communication everywhere.

Head Office: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture

President: Kenji Miyoshino

http://en.dds.co.jp/