How to Use a Retina Biometric Scanner

Retina scanners are one of the most reliable and effective biometric scanning devices. By scanning the ultra-specific retinal blood vessel patterns unique to every person, retina scanners provide an almost foolproof means of identifying a person. Unlike finger and hand scanning, which don't work for 100 percent of the population, retina scanning has proved sound enough for government and military use. Follow these steps to use a retina biometric scanner.

Instructions

1. Find out about eyewear. Many retina scanning devices, especially earlier ones, require that the subject remove any head-borne eyewear such as glasses or laboratory goggles. Find out if you need to remove glasses, or even contact lenses, before you use the scanner.

2. Perform the initial scan. In order to record your retina pattern and name into its database, the retina scanner requires that you do an initial learning session. Generally, the scanner needs to scan your retina five times in succession. Despite the number of scans, the learning session takes less than a minute if conducted properly.

3. Step up to the scanner. The scanner is about shoe-box size and is usually mounted on a wall at eye level. To initiate the scan, most devices simply require that you step up to the scanner and stop about 1/2 inch from the scanner's "eye."

4. Wait as the scan is performed. The scanner will flash a blinking light, which is usually green, for 15 to 40 seconds. Look at the blinking light for as long as it is illuminated. Try to avoid blinking so that the scan can get an accurate look at your retina. The device will either stop blinking its indicator light or it will make a sound to indicate that the scan was successfully (or unsuccessfully) completed.