Patent ID: 7369689

Claim:
A personal authentication system comprising: a first electrode that is disposed in a first skin area of a person to be authenticated; a second electrode that is disposed in a second skin area apart from the first skin area, the contact surface between the second electrode and the second skin area having a predetermined area such that the resistance of the epidermis in the second skin area becomes substantially zero when an electric potential is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode; a measuring unit for measuring the resistance distribution of the epidermis in the first skin area based on a predetermined voltage that is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode and a current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode through the body, including the skin, of the person to be authenticated; and an authentication unit that stores the resistance distribution data, which is measured in advance, of the epidermis in the first skin area of a validated person, for comparing the resistance distribution data of the epidermis in the first skin area of the person to be authenticated, the resistance distribution being measured with the measuring unit, with at least part of the stored resistance distribution data of the epidermis of the validated person to validate the person to be authenticated.