Fingerprint authentication

Fingerprint authentication is one of the methods of biometric authentication currently used in some organizations. Fingerprint id has been used for centuries and is quite reliable. There are two technologies used to capture the image of a fingerprint one is optical using light refracted from a prism and the other is capacitive based that is to say that it detects voltage changes in the skin between ridges and valleys. There are also several sensors that detect fake fingerprints, for example latent print residue will be ignored also some technologies make it impossible to use a cutoff finger because they are dependent on temperature, pulse and blood flow.

Everyone has a unique fingerprint even twins. Scanner technology has become more sophisticated and user friendly. Disadvantages are that some prints are difficult to obtain especially in those that sweat excessively. Also it requires clean hands so cuts and bruises may affect the results.

There have been significant advances in fingerprint authentication. For example, there is a sensor called FPC1011F1 that purports superior image quality, with 256 gray scale values in every single pixel. The reflective measurement method sends an electrical signal via the frame directly into the finger. This technique enables the use of an unbeatably hard and thick protective surface coating. The sensor with its 3D pixel sensing technology can read virtually any finger; dry or wet.

Also, fingerprint authentication can be used in concert with other technologies like retina scanning or facial recognition in an attempt to provide more security.

References

Sheuh, Calvin “Biometrics: Fingerprint Technology” ppt presentation for CS265

Aboalsamh, Hatim , Proceedings of the 9th WSEAS International Conference on TELECOMMUNICATIONS and INFORMATICS, www.wseas.us/e-library/conferences/2010/Catania/.../TELE-INFO-28.pdf

Submitted by David Gutglass