What Are Biometric Fingerprint Systems?
Biometric fingerprint systems use the unique features and patterns of fingerprints for a wide variety of uses. These systems scan fingerprints and compare it to known databases within the system. Fingerprint scanners can be placed on safes, doors or be added to computers to allow access to systems, adding an additional layer of security.
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Uses
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Biometric fingerprint systems are used in a wide variety of applications. Biometric systems can help keep things secure; door locks, safes and even vehicle ignition systems use biometric fingerprint scanners to allow access. Other uses include replacing passwords for computer systems. Many companies requires employees to scan their fingerprint to obtain access to other software programs rather than remembering multiple different passwords. Biometric fingerprint scanners can also be used as a time card for individuals clocking in and out of work.
Types of Scanners
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Biometric fingerprint scanners may use a number of different approaches to scan a fingerprint for verification. Scanners may use captive, optical, pressure or thermal technology. The most common type of scanner uses a laser or LED light and then captures the image using a sensor. The image is then transformed from an analog image to a digital information stream. The quality of the fingerprint image varies depending on the quality of equipment used to capture the image.
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How They Work
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The fingerprint image is reviewed based not on the entire fingerprint but rather a number of key identifying features and patterns that are unique to each individual. These unique features and patterns are then compared to a database within the system. Once the features are matched to the user, the system will allow the process to proceed. If the system does not match, it will not work and request the fingerprint to be scanned again.
Benefits
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Biometric fingerprint scanners have many benefits. Since fingerprints are unique to each individual, these system make processes safer, because fingerprints are hard to fake. This makes safes and vehicles more difficult to break into and steal. Biometric fingerprint scanners also save companies money by not requiring passwords for each system. Employees can forget or incorrectly enter passwords which can lock them out of the system, requiring information technology staff to fix the issue, costing the company time and money. Fingerprint scanners also require employees to clock in and out on their own, eliminating "buddy punching," where one employee clocks in or out for another employee.
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References
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