Face Recognition Feature Readied For Japanese Cell Phones

A face recognition technology with a one second validation feature from Oki Electric will be offered on a Vodafone Group handset in Japan this April, according to an announcement Tuesday by Oki.

The Face Sensing Engine (FSE) is designed to utilize a 3.2-megapixel camera with 2X optical zoom to authenticate a user's facial features and eliminate the need for password entry or fingerprint verification. The FSE technology will be embedded in the Vodafone 904SH handset, which is manufactured by Sharp.

"An owner's face can be instantly verified," said Masao Miyashita, president of Oki's Network Systems Company, in a statement. "Going forward, we will provide such solutions to the embedded market for entertainment devices as well as to the mobile phone market."

Oki said the FSE can detect facial characteristics involving eyes, eyebrows, and mouth as it tracks changes in facial expressions. Oki indicated that the feature can be economical enough to be included in low cost devices.