IDEX and Card Tech cooperate, showcase technology

IDEX ASA has entered into a cooperation agreement with Card Tech srl for integration of the IDEX SmartFinger Film into Card Tech products. The two companies will show an innovative smart card at the CARTES trade show next week.

The cooperation agreement between IDEX and Card Tech® srl forms the basis for integration of the IDEX SmartFinger® Film fingerprint sensor and algorithms into thin and bendable ISO-format cards and other biometric devices designed by Card Tech.

Card Tech® srl, based in Udine, Italy, has developed an ISO-compliant card which includes the ultra-thin IDEX Smartfinger Film swipe sensor and biometric algorithms in addition to a battery and microprocessor, constituting a secure fingerprint system-on-card.

Showcased at CARTES
Based on a joint effort leading up to the cooperation agreement, IDEX and Card Tech® srl will show a preview of an innovative smart card featuring a biometric sensor for fingerprint recognition called pinKey® Smart at the CARTES & IDentification Exhibition and Conferences 15-17 November in Paris, France.

“At IDEX, we are thrilled by the prospect of providing our prize-winning ultra-thin SmartFinger Film sensor technology to Card Tech®, for use in their innovative and versatile products,” said Ralph W. Bernstein, CEO of IDEX.

“The form factor of the thin and bendable SmartFinger Film allows us to buildfingerprint security into an ISO-compliant card, our pinKey Smart device, targeting a very large market,” said Fabrizio Borracci, CEO of Card Tech® srl.

“With its companion software, the sensor delivers excellent biometric performance. The pinKey® Smart delivers enhanced fraud protection that can be implemented swiftly and without major investments because the card is compliant with current card readers, automatic teller machines and point of sales terminals,” he added.

System-on-card
PinKey® Smart by Card Tech® embeds the IDEX SmartFinger Film swipe sensor and features IDEX’s biometric algorithms running on a microcontroller which performs image processing and verification of the user’s fingerprint. This approach allows fingerprint system-on-card, which means storing the biometric data of the user securely inside the smart card and the biometric data is never transmitted out of the card, thus maintaining the user’s privacy.

“I am convinced that the pinKey® Smart card will demonstrate how system-on-card is easy to use and adds security while safeguarding privacy. I am looking forward to provide fingerprint sensors to what I believe will be a very successful product of its kind,” said Bernstein.

The applications of pinKey® Smart are diverse, and include financial, institutional, government, banking and company framework as well as time recording for employees. The immediate benefit for the user is that access to use the card is granted only to its owner through a simple fingerprint verification. In the particular case of the banking services, pinKey® Smart provides additional protection against theft and misuse of the banking data and access credentials.

The cooperation agreement
The cooperation agreement defines specific milestones for development, testing and verification. Final qualification of Card Tech® srl’s biometric card with IDEX SmartFinger Film sensors integrated is expected in 2012.

After a successful qualification, it is the intent of Card Tech® srl and IDEX to enter into a commercial agreement whereby IDEX will supply SmartFinger Film sensors and biometric algorithms to Card Tech® srl.

10 November 2011
IDEX ASA

Attachment: Picture of the card inserted in a standard smartcard reader (PDF file)

CARTES visitors
CARTES is held at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center. IDEX exhibits at booth 4 M 142. Visitor contact Jack Robinson, VP of sales and marketing, +47 9137 0562, jack.robinson@idexbiometrics.com

Press contact IDEX ASA:
Ralph W. Bernstein, CEO, +47 9305 9303, ralph.bernstein@idexbiometrics.com

Press contact Card Tech srl:
Seltz PR, Luca Drigani, +39 331 389 8679, l.drigani@seltzpr.it

About IDEX ASA
IDEX ASA is a Norwegian public company specializing in fingerprint imaging and recognition technology. IDEX’ vision is to ensure individuals a safe, secure, and user-friendly use of personal ID. IDEX has developed the award-winning SmartFinger Film technology platform including the patented fingerprint imaging principle, sensing scheme and chip design. The SmartFinger technology is available to customers under an intellectual property licensing scheme or as SmartFinger Film sensor assemblies for integration into customers’ products. For more information, please visit www.idexbiometrics.com or contact IDEX at: mailbox@idexbiometrics.com 

About Card Tech srl
Card Tech is an Italian company which operates in the sector of the research, development and commercialisation of mobile devices devoted to security. Card Tech is oriented towards improving the life of people thanks to innovative, secure and user-friendly solutions and products. In the sector of palm computers, the activities of Card Tech differentiate themselves with the combined use of biometrics employed for identifying the user, and secure RFID/NFC communications. In the smart cards sector, the company has developed an ISO7810 ID-1 compliant card fitted with an ultra-thin biometric sensor, battery and chip that amounts to a secure fingerprint system-on-card. For more information, please visit www.card-tech.it

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

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