Campus Cards, College and University Identification and Security

Not all are created equal: Contrasting optical and silicon sensors for fingerprint biometrics

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Nearly everyone knows that fingerprints are unique but fewer know that fingerprint biometric readers are very different as well. Most people are familiar with the more common optical biometric readers from Hollywood’s portrayal of biometrics in film and television. But fewer know of the rapidly growing use of silicon-based fingerprint sensors. The significantly smaller size requirements of these newer sensors are bringing biometric security to laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, and even ID cards.

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AuthenTec has announced the availability of a new software development kit (SDK) that is designed to assist developers in creating applications for use with AuthenTec TruePrint sensors and AuthenTec’s TrueSuite identity management software. The SDK, called TrueAPI SDK, is also designed to help developers modify their existing applications to work AuthenTec’s hardware and software solutions.

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SecuGen, a developer of biometric technology solutions, has announced the availability of its SecuGen iD-USB SC/PIV, a USB-connectible device that is capable of scanning fingerprints and smart cards and is FIPS 201/PIV compliant.

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A new patent purchased by technology company Apple from three engineers in Oregon may point to a possibility of biometric capabilities in future devices from the company, according to a Macgasm article.

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Integrated Biometrics was touting its light emitting sensing fingerprint biometrics at the ISC West show. Jim Seaborn, vice president of business development at Integrated Biometrics, talked about how the technology uses a different type of fingerprint sensor that is resistant to “spoofing,” or using a fake biometric to fool a scanner.

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SecuGen has one focus, fingerprint biometrics, says Jeffrey Brown, vice president of sales and marketing at the company. The company manufacturers its optical fingerprint scanners and also produces its own matching algorithms for use in many markets, devices and surroundings.

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BIO-key International has announced a new contract that requires a biometric solution built off a combination between its and fellow biometric developer MorphoTrak’s matching algorithms, according to a UPI article.

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