Hitachi and Avion Collaborate on Finger Vein Authentication System

Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and Avion Solutions, Inc, today announced the development and launch of a finger vein authentication system specifically designed for law enforcement in North America. Avion's Inmate Tracking and Control Technology (INTACT) software streamlines and enhances day-to-day correctional facility business practices by providing current and historical information of all inmate movement, both inside and outside the facility, all in an intuitive, flexible workflow based system that is easy to learn and use. Hitachi’s finger vein authentication technology (VeinID ®) was integrated by Avion to provide a cost effective solution to comply with common law enforcement and public safety issues. INTACT features biometric identification technology, and is designed to present inmate information in an historical context, allowing officers to see a complete photo and behavioral history with a few simple clicks.

Jackson County has been utilizing Avion’s INTACT software with Hitachi’s finger vein authentication system to provide a reliable and secure biometric software solution for identification of Personnel, Vendors, and Visitors utilizing biometrics.

"By adopting Avion’s INTACT solution with their high security framework and Hitachi’s easy to use, but extremely accurate, near contactless finger vein authentication system, we are able to increase efficiency and security in our incarceration facility,” said Kenneth Moore, Jail Captain of Jackson County.

"By integrating Hitachi’s VeinID technology, log-in to sensitive computer systems was expedited, positive identification of inmates is made to prevent moving or releasing the wrong inmate and the control mechanism to positively screen visitors, vendors, and inmates is enhanced,” said Steve Cope, Avion’s Corporate Director of Business Development.

Avion is a Veteran-Owned Small Business focused on providing quality, dedicated, innovative and timely responses to meet the needs of customer requirements. Avion contributes high-value services to the Law Enforcement as well as the Aviation community; offering Small Business flexibility/mobility, low overhead, a competitive pricing structure and the provision of cost-effective solutions. We are recognized for our solid business practices and commitment to our men and women in uniform and our municipal customers.

Hitachi produces USB type logical access finger vein biometric products along with associated Software Development Kits (SDKs), and also embedded modules. These products have been deployed by the tens of thousands in banking, educational, governmental industries and other markets worldwide.

Finger vein authentication technology is based on the unique patterns of finger veins. Hitachi’s VeinID products provide excellent "ease of use” with extremely high-levels of accuracy.

Since 1997, Hitachi has been developing an original biometric, finger vein authentication technology, which uses the finger vein pattern obtained from passing light through a finger as a "key.” Its first commercial systems were deployed in 2002. Near-infrared light generated by a bank of LEDs (light emitting diodes) penetrates the body tissue; it is reflected by the hemoglobin in the blood. A camera captures the image of the vein pattern through this reflected light. Within a split second, the Finger vein authentication system produces a template that it compares to the stored biometric template of the user, and then determines whether there is a match.

Finger vein readers are quite small and utilize a biometric template small enough to support rapid processing, yet large enough to support both 1:1 and 1:N matching.

About Hitachi America, Ltd.

Hitachi America, Ltd., headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and its subsidiary companies offer a broad range of electronics, power and industrial equipment and services, automotive products and consumer electronics with operations throughout the Americas. For more information, visit www.hitachi-america.us. For information on other Hitachi Group companies in the United States, please visit www.hitachi.us.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2009 (ended March 31, 2010) consolidated revenues totaled 8,968 billion yen ($96.4 billion). Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

About Avion

Avion Solutions, Inc. - Formed in January 1992. Avion is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) providing high quality Specialized Engineering, Logistics, Software Development & Technical Services with corporate headquarters located in Huntsville, AL. We provide innovative solutions for technical and operational problems through the application of systems engineering, research, analysis, computer and software engineering technology. Avion is privately held and has an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) owning 32%, promoting long-term corporate ownership continuity and commitment to the Company. Avion began its company history with Army Aviation by performing as the lead technical entity for Critical Safety Item/New Source Testing (CSI/NST). The Corporate history of engineering, logistics, and software development of systems used for aviation asset tracking led Avion to develop its jail management software. For more information on INTACT or Avion Solutions, please visit the company’s website at http://www.avionsolutions.com.

About Jackson County

Jackson County was established on December 13, 1819. As of 2000, the population was 53,926. Its county seat is Scottsboro and it's a prohibition or dry county. However, three cities within the county (Bridgeport, Scottsboro, and Stevenson) are wet. Jackson County covers parts of former Decatur County.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department serves citizens throughout the entire 1,069 square miles of Jackson County. The Sheriff's office employs 34 sworn law enforcement personnel.

The Jackson County Jail has a combined capacity for housing 212 inmates. All inmate meals, including meals for the city jail, are prepared at the county jail utilizing inmate labor. The Sheriff's office also utilizes inmate labor for several duties at the Jackson County Courthouse, such as custodial and vehicle maintenance.

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