Japanese Release This product has been discontinued.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1998-0169

Fujitsu Introduces FingerPass Card, a PC Card-Based Fingerprint Recognition Device for Mobile PCs

Tokyo, August 19, 1998 --- Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Denso Ltd. today introduced "FingerPass Card" (FPI-550), a PC card-based fingerprint recognition device for mobile computers, which is now available for sale to corporate customers. Incorporating a unique recognition algorithm developed by Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. for distinguishing individual fingerprints, the new device makes it easy to verify the identity of an authorized user using fingerprint data, and it is the first in the industry to combine a PC card and fingerprint scanner in a single unit. The ultra-slim device, weighing just 75g, fits into a standard PCMCIA card slot.

With the proliferation of electronic information circulating on open networks, and with "anytime, anywhere" access to electronic information rapidly becoming an integral part of corporate operations, the proper management of confidential personal and corporate information has become increasingly important. Likewise, mobile computing, sales force automation and the widespread deployment of other information technology devices outside the office are also bringing about greater demands for more reliable security.

Fujitsu's new FingerPass Card responds to these needs with a highly reliable, easy-to-use security system that is ideal for mobile computing environments. While current password-based user authentication systems are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, they are vulnerable to security lapses due to theft or misplacement of passwords. Recognizing the greater reliability of biometric authentication systems (utilizing physical features such as fingerprints) Fujitsu successfully developed its new lightweight fingerprint recognition device. Combining a PC card and fingerprint scanner in a single unit, the device can easily be installed in the standard PCMCIA card slot of a notebook computer. The scanner reads the user's fingerprint image and authenticates his/her ID by comparing it with previously registered fingerprint data -- all in a matter of about 2.5 seconds.* The system employs the "Minutiae Correlation Identity" method developed by Fujitsu Laboratories, Ltd. for fingerprint discrimination, and it requires very little storage capacity, only an average of 430 bytes, to store the data fora single fingerprint.

Because of these advantages, Fujitsu anticipates a wide array of potential applications, including user authentication for network systems and in connection with smart card systems. The new device is one of the authentication and recognition products included in Fujitsu's integrated security solution, SECUREVISION, which was announced in May of this year and aims to realize safer, more tamper-proof corporate information systems. In the future, Fujitsu plans to build upon this technology and its wealth of experience in this area to develop new fingerprint recognition devices to meet a broad range of customer needs.

Shipment: from late October, 1998

Sales target: 100,000 units over the next three years

Suggested price: 50,000 yen (not including tax) - Japan (package includes software)

* 2.5 seconds or less using MMX Pentium 200MHz

* All company / product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purpose only.

Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu Limited is a leading provider of information technology products and solutions for the global marketplace. Founded in Japan in 1935 as a telephone equipment maker, the Fujitsu Group had consolidated revenues of $37.7 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31,1998.

With over 500 group companies, including Amdahl and ICL, Fujitsu is one of the world's largest suppliers of computers and information systems solutions, telecommunications and semiconductor products, software and services. The Fujitsu Group has over 180,000 employees worldwide and operations in more than 100 countries. Homepage: http://www.fujitsu.com/