Neven Vision's biometric authentication deployed on Sharp FOMA SH902i handsets

March 14, 2006

Neven Vision, a developer of mobile machine vision technology, announced that its biometrics face recognition software has been adopted by NTT DoCoMo to enhance the privacy and security of personal data and transactions on cell phones. Neven's software enables convenient, automated authorization of cell phone users by comparing registered facial images with the face captured by phone's camera.

The NTT DoCoMo application is based on Neven Vision's patented facial recognition technology, which is uniquely designed to work within mobile devices without having to communicate with a central server system.

On NTT DoCoMo's FOMA SH902i by Sharp, face recognition operates automatically when the user attempts to access a protected application, such as sending emails or initiating credit card transactions. When the user initiates an action, the automated authentication process completes correctly and then executes the chosen application, all without any additional action by the user, such as having to manually enter a password. Designed as replacement of access control by password or PIN number, the technology supports i-mode FeliCa, PIM data protection, and device lock function.

Neven Vision's biometric access control provides multiple security levels to enable multiple user access. The FOMA SH902i offers 3 different security levels in which the mobile phone owner can manually select the level depending on their needs, such as "casual security" for normal private use, or "high security" for business use. To ensure the highest accuracy and stability, users can register multiple images taken of the face under different conditions such as indoor, outdoor or night-time environments.