Aug. 16, 2007 — Nowadays, giving someone the finger has a negative connotation. But soon, it might just mean that you're paying for something. Researchers have developed a cashless, cardless payment system that allows a person to make purchase simply by scanning their finger.
The system uses the unique vein pattern under the skin of a person's finger as a form of identification and then ties that so-called biometric to credit card information. The finger credit card could make shopping easier and help reduce fraud and identity theft.
"Vein patterns are unique, as unique as your fingerprint. If you have worn-off, or damaged, or dirty fingertips, it's difficult to get those prints. But the vein pattern remains no matter what condition the outer surface skin is in," said Lewis Iadarola, a sales manager at Hitachi America.
To use the system, customers would first enroll with a participating bank and open an account in much the same way they would to receive a debit or credit card. Along with filling out the appropriate paperwork, they would also provide finger scans of two or three fingers.
To make a purchase, customers slip their finger into a holder to keep the digit steady. A light illuminates the veins and records the pattern. Then image-processing software converts the image to a number uniquely linked to the person's account. Once software matches the number to the account, the purchase is authorized.
The system could also be used in addition to a PIN for an added layer of security.
"Financial markets in Japan were very interested in finger vein technology because of a law recently passed to upgrade security at ATMs," said Iadarola.
