By Nick Heath, 24 April 2009 17:03
Users can register to use the scanner by placing a smartcard on a wireless interface at the top of the device, as seen here, and placing their hand underneath.
The scanner then stores the reflected pattern of the hand on the smartcard.
The patterns can then be used to verify user's identity, by comparing the pattern stored on the card with that of the cardholder's hand.
Stephen Crispe, senior information security architect at Unisys, said that one of the advantages of the system is that it is difficult to fool.
"If there is no blood running through the hand there will not be a reading, as perhaps you might get one from cutting off a finger and putting it in a fingerprint scanner."
He said it was also more suited for use at workplaces such as building sites where the rough work can leave fingerprints damaged and unreadable.
However, vascular scanners are currently more expensive than alternative biometric systems, costing about $1,500 compared to about $500 for a fingerprint scanner.
Photo credit: Nick Heath/silicon.com
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