You see them in blockbuster movies and high-tech TV shows—biometric systems that rely on fingerprints, facial recognition, and other physical and behavioral data to provide identification. But these technologies have moved past the sci-fi genre, and even beyond the high-security arena. They’re hitting the mainstream now. In fact, you may even be using some of them already.
Of course, companies in this segment are working hard to keep one step ahead of their competition and criminals alike. Faster and more accurate technologies are arriving, often created by merging multiple sources like fingerprint, iris, hand-geometry, foot, voice, RFID, and vein recognition data.
By going “mainstream,” it’s no surprise forecasts call for a strong ramp up in the sector. According to the International Biometric Group’s Biometrics Market and Industry Report, 2007-2012, revenues will grow from $3 billion last year to nearly $7.5 billion by 2012 (Fig. 1).
Human Recognition Systems, a multibiometric systems integrator in the U.K., is testing out a system for multi-modal biometrics. Sponsored by Manchester Airport and the U.K. Department of Transport, the Bio-Sec trial system is assessing the practical and user acceptance levels of multi-modal biometrics in an airport environment. Technologies on trial include iris and hand recognition working with photo ID systems. Meanwhile, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is working with the JAL Group to test fingerprint- and facial-recognition multimode systems at Tokyo International Airport in Narita.
TRIED AND TRUE FINGERPRINTING
Fingerprints are the best-known and oldest form of biometrics. Commonly available, biometric fingerprint sensors use capacitive technology to verify users and guard against the unauthorized use and theft of such electronic items as laptop computers and mobile phones. These sensors also can be found in keylessentry automotive systems.
AuthenTec’s AES2810 low-power fingerprint authentication sensor suits notebook computers. According to the company, it’s the first single-chip sensor of its type to integrate a proprietary RF-based sensor, a hardware security module, and a matching engine that performs 128-bit encryption and decryption. Operation is based on AuthenTec’s TruePrint subsurface fingerprint technology, which can read fingerprint patterns from anyone under a wide variety of conditions (Fig. 2).
Upek, Inc. has capitalized on a number of key SmartFinger patents from Norway-based Idex covering ac capacitive fingerprinting sensing. Behind this technology, the company’s TouchChip product family uses a one-dimensional stripe geometry (Fig. 3). A number of other chip manufacturers make fingerprint sensors, too.
Fujitsu integrates a touch sensor onto its FOMA F905i mobile phone. Atmel offers the AT77C102B thermal fingerprint sensor. Infineon Technologies AG makes the FingerTIP capacitive fingerprint sensor and the SICRYPT secure token platform, which was implemented in the Smart Card funded by the European Commission. And, the PFC2020 fingerprint biometric processor ASIC from Fingerprint Cards AB in Sweden acts as a data-processing subsystem for the company’s FPC 1011C sensor and links to the sensor and to external flash memory for storing fingerprint templates.
Fingerprint identification sees widespread use despite the fact that it’s a slow process—it requires an average of 5 to 10 minutes to “roll” a single fingerprint. It also is subject to potential sources of errors. Typical records are taken by pressing the finger or fingers against a solid sheet of paper or a pad, but the pressure can vary, and details can be warped or smudged.
Also, contamination is possible if the paper or pad has been used already. Cuts and callouses can compromise fingerprint identification. Simple inattention to procedure, as fingers must be completely rolled from side to side during the process, can jeopardize integrity as well. Researchers at Warwick University in the U.K. are working on a system that can identify partial, scratched, smudged, or otherwise warped fingerprints in just a few seconds.
Nonetheless, fingerprints are still an effective ID method. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation uses the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System as a database for criminal apprehension and enforcement. Also, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will issue its fingerprint-based Personal Identification Verification (PIV) smart cards to all federal employees and contractors seeking entrance to federal facilities (Fig. 4).
READING AT A DISTANCE
Driven by the federal government’s need to rapidly, accurately, and more efficiently scan fingerprints, the U.S. National Institute of Justice has already submitted applications to fingerprint system developers for its Fast Fingerprint Capture Program. It’s calling upon machinevision technology as a solution for non-contact fingerprinting, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Machine-vision systems already inspect items on production lines and conduct crowd surveillance. Researchers believe that combining these capabilities with other biometric modalities like facial recognition could lead to accurate remote, non-contact fingerprint reading.
Northrup Grumman hopes to have a prototype remote fingerprint system ready later this year. Using standard megapixel cameras, the system would scan the subject’s fingerprint from a range of 1 to 2 meters, in addition to the subject’s iris or face. So far, researchers have used the Bozorth3 algorithm developed by NIST to generate an image, including 52 minutiae scanned by their system, that’s comparable to an image taken from a standard ink print.
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