Monday, June 28, 2010

Modern Scanning Devices

What Are Biometrics?



Biometrics
are used to identify people based on their biological traits.




Where biometric identification systems - such as fingerprints, finger vein , hand geometry, or palm vein readers - there are several different physical processes that biometric data received from the user. The three most common methods are "touch", "swipe" and "contacless". All scanning method has advantages and disadvantages to consider when deciding on a biometric solution.



Touch-based biometric capture, typically involving a flat surface where the body part that is pressed to execute the arrest.

The capture device will be visually "see" or some other way to detect features only part of the body that are naturally touches the surface of the warrant.



Swipe-based biometric sensor design uses a smaller "strip" across which body part to be scanned is moved steadily, or "swiped". The film sensor captures a small portion of the finger in direct contact with the finger is dragged over it, eventually rebuilding the whole representation of the surface after all the finger is swiped.



Contactless biometric capture, as the name suggests, does not require the user to physically come into contact with the capture device at all. The body part to be scanned to capture the characteristics of part of the body.



The question is "What's the best for us?", in choosing the right stuff, Biometric technology is a modern method. It involves the bio identity of a single person and it is also important what kind of environment that matches your implementation and development of a certain device, whether it is a solution of the problem or not. Like for example, a traditional SDK Biometrics Identification chances are it will be back to square one to work all your biometrics. The M2SYS provide support for a variety of different biometric technologies BioPlugIn hybrid system, which means that you can easily switch between different biometric devices and design of the apparatus without any significant impact on your code, save the headache, money, man hours that would otherwise change involved other biometric system.





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Biometric Locks - 15 Facts You Must Know

Biometric locks and fingerprint security is designed to make our lives more convenient since there's no need to remember to take keys or remember passwords.
But what should you know about fingerprint readers before you decide whether to use them?
Security has become a multi-million dollar industry because everybody needs to use the services.
Multinational businesses and individual households will all employ the services of the security industry.
The main reasons many people don't consider using security devices like biometric fingerprint locks and biometric security locks is because they are expensive and also perceived as not reliable.
These concerns all need to be addressed so here are the answers in this blog.

1. Aren't biometric locks difficult to fit?
Modern biometric fingerprint locks are actually very easy to install. They come in kit form containing everything that you need to use to fit the fingerprint reader. Installing these biometric security locks is about as difficult as attaching a conventional lock.
The only real difference is that a small control panel for the fingerprints will be mounted on the door or just at the side of it.

2. What can cause a false reading with biometric locks?
A false reading is when a fingerprint reader incorrectly identifies someone as being someone else. This is very rare with high quality equipment.
The way all fingerprint scanners work on biometric fingerprint door locks is by comparing the fingerprints and matching a number of different points.
The more points which match, the more likely the people are the same.
It is possible to reduce this threshold level to make the machine much less sensitive. If this is the case then this can quite easily result in a false reading.

3. How accurate are biometric locks?
Fingerprints are unique and so these fingerprint readers on biometric safe locks and biometric fingerprint locks are very accurate. The accuracy of each model will differ however the possibility of one misrecognising someone is extremely rare.

4. Can manuals be sometimes difficult to read?
Some of the cheaper units are imported directly from China; this means that the manuals can be difficult to understand.
The slightly better units do have better instructions.
To get around this it is advisable to have a professional install the unit for you if you are buying biometric home locks for yourself or write up a better manual if you are planning to resell.

5. Is the biometric locks software any good?
These biometric door locks are run using computer software. Many of these are networked or can be hooked up to a computer for programming. Networked biometric security locks make it very easy to adjust security on the fly.
The software will allow you to add new users, and manage existing users. Different types of fingerprint scanner come with different software. You will have to try out the different pieces of software until you find your favorite.

6. How difficult is it to install biometric locks?
Installing biometric home locks is actually no more difficult than installing conventional locks. You will only need to provide a power source and also sometimes network access.
Actually installing biometric home locks involves drilling the holes in the door as normal and then fitting the lock. Once everything is fitted you will then need to use the software to program the unit.

7. How long does installing a fingerprint reader take?
Installing a fingerprint reader is very simple and shouldn't take any longer than a normal door lock.

8. How long does it take to set up the software for biometric locks?
Setting up the unit using the bundled software should be very easy. You just need to run the software with the scanner connected and then start adding units. Many units have network connections which means you don't need to move and plug the machine into your computer every time.

9. Do biometric locks require certain voltages?
Every fingerprint lock is different and so you must make sure you are providing the correct power to the unit.
Most of these either use batteries or are powered off the mains voltage. This makes connecting the power very easy.

10. Can grease prevent correct readings on biometric locks?
If you have grease or any dirt on your hands then this can prevent the fingerprint being read properly by the fingerprint reader. In this case you will need to clean your finger and then try again.

11. Do these biometric locks still work when it's cold?
The cold does nothing to affect fingerprints and so the fingerprint reader will work well throughout the year. You will however have to take gloves off though!

12. How long does it take for a biometric fingerprint door lock to work?
It doesn't take long at all for a fingerprint lock to correctly identify you and open the door. It should take under a second for the door to unlock which means you don't have to waste time waiting around.

13. What are the common applications for biometric devices?
Biometric devices are becoming very popular and are found on computers, door locks and clocking in clocks. There are many more potential uses for these and they will probably find their way into cash points and shop terminals in the very near future.

14. How much will fingerprint locks cost?
Fingerprint readers are very reasonably priced these days, a high quality unit shouldn't set you back more than a couple of hundred bucks.

15. What happens if there is a power cut?
Fingerprint readers require electricity to work properly; if the power is cut then most people want to know how they can get in and out of the door.

There should always be some form of fail safe override including either battery backup, or a key. This means that you will always be able to open your door even if there's no power.
Now you should be more than aware about how biometric locks and fingerprint devices work. Now get out there and start buying.




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Li

A Biometric Fingerprint Scanner Can Help Businesses in Multiple Ways


What was once shown as science fiction in sci-fi movies a few years back has now turned into affordable reality. In the initial days, a biometric fingerprint scanner was so costly that only high-tech government installations and high-security organizations could afford it. But with prices now dropping dramatically in the past few years, even small businesses can afford to install such scanners that can surely help them in more ways than one.

A biometric fingerprint scanner is a biometric device that uses a scanner to scan the fingerprint of an individual and then compares it to a ready database before displaying the result on the unit or on an attached computer. While scanners in the past were heavy and large, the latest scanners are small enough to be incorporated on a mouse, a keyboard or even a laptop. Since fingerprints are unique to each person on earth including twins, such scanners can be used not only as a security tool to allow access to only approved people but also to track their movements while also noting down the time when such authentication might have taken place.

A biometric fingerprint scanner consists of a sensor that scans each finger before sending that image for entry into the computer or for comparison to a ready database. Since each human finger consists of ridges and valleys that make up a unique pattern specific only to that human being, there are no chances of any errors. Biometric software including rsa authentication software is used to compare the fingerprint with those in the database. Once a match is made then the scanner can accept or deny entry to the person based on the programming done for the particular scanner. What started out as merely identifying a person or allowing entry into restricted areas has now been converted into tracking a person's whereabouts in an office or factory and even linking it to payroll software before paying salaries to employees.

Many businesses have now put up a biometric fingerprint scanner at entry and exit points of their property. This can enable them to note down the exact time of entry and exit of each employee without chances of cheating that was previously possible in cases of simple ID badges. This scanner can be linked to payroll software so that exact salaries can be handed out during payday. The movements of employees within different departments too can be tracked by installing such scanners at various locations within the company premises. Some businesses also use 2 factor authentication, which includes one additional authentication method other than biometric fingerprint scanning to ensure greater security and reliability. This could include an iris scanner to scan the eyes of the person in addition to scanning for fingerprints. This is especially true in high-security zones since fingerprint scanners can be fooled with a fingerprint mold or even by cutting off a person's finger and placing it on the scanner within a very short time.

With several companies such as Biometric Solution and Fulcrum Biomterics, among several others offering many models to suit the security and business needs of various organizations, the time to exploit the potential of such scanners has truly arrived. A biometric fingerprint scanner is sure to become a necessity at each entry point, especially in these terror-infested times even as the commercial aspects of such scanners provide relief to many businesses including small ones.




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allen_Taigom