Biometric Bytes: Portable Fingerprint Readers

Fingerprints have contributed to the advancement of security and forensic systems and methods. These biological traces can identify a person or animal based on genetic data. Through fingerprints, detectives are provided with accurate evidence to identify perpetrators of any crime. In terms of security, fingerprints are used as a means of encryption when opening doors in rooms that require high-security measures.

Prior to the application of biometrics, security personnel for public and private companies all over the world had relied on alphanumeric encryption to secure doors and storage devices. However, computer hackers have devised programs and viruses to decode security keys and hack through the security systems. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 have prompted the United States government to apply biometrics in every security system of private and public places such as offices, airports, and military installations. Their popularity in the U.S. has paved the way for commercialization of various biometric devices such as the USB fingerprint reader and body scanners.

Fingerprint readers are the most widely used biometric systems all over the world. Professionals in fields such as medicine, criminology, and forensics use these devices to identify people based on the fingerprints gathered. The most convenient portable device for identifying fingerprints is the USB fingerprint reader, which can be plugged to a Universal Serial Bus port in your laptop or desktop computer. Like other fingerprint readers, it can be utilized for various purposes such as a means of accessing computers and doors, or even identifying the genes of a person. To guide you further in learning about the USB fingerprint reader, here are some of the popular fingerprint reader products popular in the market today:

The Secugen Hamster IV FIPS 201 / PIV USB fingerprint scanner is a high-end device that features the advanced optical sensor designed with the patented SEIR technology. The device is ergonomic since it is impervious to scratches, impact, and electrical shocks because of its durable contact area. The scanner has a PIV Single Finger Capture Device, which is certified by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, for precise identification of people based on the fingerprints scanned. The device can perform various biometric functions including fingerprint recognition, fingerprint scanning, and fingerprint matching, and is compatible with Microsoft operating systems such as Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

The Lumidigm Mercury M301 Fingerprint Reader is an integrated scanner that can be attached to a personal computer or other mobile devices through a USB cable. The assembly and functions of the device are direct, making it user-friendly. It can deliver 500 dots-per-inch (dpi) images fast and consistently to the host PC or device. The Mercury fingerprint reader has various features including a tight design, and 10-60 Degree Celsius operating capacity. The device is used in biometric functions including fingerprint authentication, fingerprint scanning, and fingerprint verification.

The USB fingerprint scanners have contributed to advancements in security, medicine, and forensics. Along with other biometric devices, their commercialization, portability, and multifunctional features can pave way for further advancements in biometrics and lead humanity to a safe and secure future.