NEC VR4121 RISC Processor Powers Fingerprint Authentication Solution from VeridicomSilicon-Based Solution Replaces Keys, Passwords for AccessSANTA CLARA, Calif. (June 6, 1999) — NEC Electronics Inc. today announced that its 64-bit VR4121™ MIPS® RISC microprocessor is the central processing unit (CPU) in a new, self-contained, portable fingerprint authentication solution from Veridicom, Inc. The solution is based on the new FPS110™ Silicon Fingerprint Sensor, one of Veridicom’s family of OpenTouch® sensors, which features enhanced imaging capabilities, industry-leading electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance and improved ruggedness to provide superior levels of accuracy and reliability for fingerprint authentication. Due to its highly-integrated features, NEC Electronics’ VR4121 processor provides high performance with reduced power and size, matching the cost and integration requirements of the FPS110 sensor to provide an optimized system solution that enables new applications for fingerprint-based user authentication. In access control applications—home/office entry, point-of-sale transactions and automotive or machine operation—the silicon-based solution replaces traditional keys, card readers and combination locks. In addition, consumer products such as set-top boxes, remote controls, cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) can authenticate users through the use of such a solution. "NEC Electronics’ VR4121 microprocessor is ideal for today’s portable application technologies," said Michael D’Amour, chief executive officer for Veridicom, Inc. "The VR4121 CPU supports our state-of-the-art fingerprint sensor with the optimal combination of performance, integration and power consumption." "Veridicom’s new sensor demonstrates the advantages of silicon-based sensors over traditional optical solutions," said Ray Newstead, associate vice president and general manager of Micro products for NEC Electronics Inc. "We’re pleased that the VR4121 processor has been chosen as the de facto enabling CPU to support this innovative and breakthrough technology from Veridicom." About the FPS110 Silicon Fingerprint Sensor Recent enhancements to Veridicom’s OpenTouch sensor technology include increased sensor sensitivity coupled with difficult finger extraction (DFX), a major improvement to the image processing software module, that ensures high-image quality for even the most difficult-to-image fingers. ESD performance has been significantly improved with human body model (HBM) air discharge of more than 15 kilovolts (kV). A patented processing technique has improved the FPS110 sensor’s surface hardness by a factor of 30, to 2.5 millijoules (mJ)—nearly equal to the chip fracture energy. The combined result of these enhancements is a 500-dpi image unmatched in the industry for quality, accuracy and precision. About the 64-Bit VR4121 RISC
Microprocessor The integrated processor runs at 131MHz and requires less than 300 milliwatts (mW) of power while providing 174 million instructions per second (MIPS); a 168MHz version provides 224 MIPS performance. About Veridicom, Inc. OpenTouch technology replaces passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs) by using fingerprint templates for authentication. PC users control the authentication process to ensure that privacy is maintained. Veridicom’s unique, open architecture has enabled it to become the first to integrate fingerprint authentication into a comprehensive range of applications, including laptop, desktop, enterprise computing, system security and smart card applications. Additional information about Veridicom is available at www.veridicom.com. About NEC Electronics Inc. NEC, NEC Electronics Inc., VR4120 and VR4121 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of NEC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. OpenTouch is a registered trademark, and FPS110 is a trademark of Veridicom, Inc. MIPS is a registered trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc. IrDA is a registered trademark of Infrared Data Association. All other trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective companies.
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