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Fingerprint scanner, what are the main types

Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2024-11-26      Origin: Site

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With the continuous progress of technology, fingerprint recognition technology has gradually become a part of our daily life from the once ‘future technology’. From smart phones to access control systems to public self-service devices, fingerprint scanners are being used more and more widely in various fields. As a unique and stable biometric feature, fingerprints not only provide us with a convenient way of identity verification, but are also an important tool for security. In this regard, with more than 20 years of technology accumulation, Beijing IDWorld Technology Development Co., Ltd, with its leading technology in the field of fingerprint identification, has been committed to providing users with efficient and safe fingerprint scanning solutions, and has become a leader in the industry. The company's self-developed fingerprint identification technology, which is not only highly accurate but also leads the industry, covers a fll range of fingerprint scanner products from low-cost to high-security requirements, meeting the needs of various application scenarios.

Basic types of fingerprint scanners

Optical Fingerprint Scanner

Optical fingerprint scanner are a common fingerprint identification technology that uses light to illuminate the fingerprint to form a fingerprint image and scan it. The basic principle is to capture the details of the fingerprint using the different properties of light reflection. The process is similar to taking a photograph of a fingerprint, which is then converted into a digital image that is analysed and compared by image processing techniques.

The advantages of optical fingerprint scanners are that the technology is mature and the cost of the equipment is low, so they are widely used in a variety of situations, such as in access control systems, mobile phones and other devices. Its disadvantage is that it is greatly affected by the ambient light and the state of the fingerprint surface (e.g. dirt, oil stains, etc.), and thus may lead to recognition failure in some cases.

Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner

Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner use ultrasonic beams, which analyse the three-dimensional structure of a fingerprint by emitting and receiving reflected ultrasound waves back. This technology not only recognises the surface of the fingerprint, but also captures the minute details under the skin, greatly improving the accuracy of the recognition.

Compared to optical fingerprint scanning, ultrasonic technology is more resistant to smudging and is able to perform accurate recognition even with wet and dirty fingers. This makes it very useful in situations where high security is required (e.g. banks, financial institutions). The disadvantage is that it is more expensive and the equipment is relatively more expensive, so it is not commonly used in low-cost devices.

Capacitive Fingerprint Scanner

Capacitive fingerprint scanner read fingerprints by sensing a change in capacitance between the fingertip and the sensor. The principle of this technology is that when the finger touches the capacitive sensor, the capacitance between the skin of the finger and the sensor changes, and the sensor ‘senses’ the details of the fingerprint through this change.

Capacitive fingerprint scanners are usually small and fast, and are therefore widely used in portable devices such as smartphones and laptops. The advantage is that they are very convenient, especially for fast authentication, but the disadvantage is that they are susceptible to factors such as electromagnetic interference or dry skin, and therefore are not as stable as optical or ultrasonic scanners in extreme environments.

How fingerprint scanners work

Image Recognition Based Operating Principle

Image recognition based fingerprint scanners use an image capture method, which captures an image of a fingerprint by illuminating a light source and converts the image into a digital signal for processing. The system then extracts the features of the fingerprint (e.g. ridges, bifurcations, etc.) by processing the image for comparison.

The advantages of this working principle are that the technology is relatively mature, the cost is low, and high recognition accuracy can be ensured by high-definition images. However, the light and the clarity of the fingerprint have a direct impact on the recognition effect, and once the fingerprint image is blurred or damaged, the recognition rate will be drastically reduced.

Biometric-based data analysis

Unlike traditional image recognition methods, biometric-based data analysis focuses more on the subtle differences in fingerprints. Every ridge, every bifurcation point, every tiny scar, etc. of a fingerprint can be used as a unique identifier. The fingerprint scanner generates a unique digital fingerprint template by deeply analysing this data.

The advantage of this technology is that the recognition accuracy is extremely high, as each person's fingerprint is unique and cannot be easily forged. It can also determine the ‘live status’ of a fingerprint by comparing the fingerprint's characteristic points, which improves security. However, this technology requires more complex algorithms and has a slower processing speed.

Combination of optical and capacitive principles

Modern fingerprint scanners often incorporate both optical and capacitive principles in their technology. By combining the high-definition image capture of optics with the subtle current changes of capacitance, the device is able to maintain high recognition efficiency in different environments. For example, optical scanning may not be as effective in poorly lit environments, while capacitive scanning compensates for this.

The advantage of this combined technology is that it improves the stability and recognition rate of the device, making it suitable for both general mobile phone unlocking and occasions with high security requirements, such as financial payments and identity verification. Its disadvantage is that the technology is complex and costly, so it is only used more often in high-end devices.

Fingerprint Scanners by Usage Scenario

Mobile Phone Fingerprint Scanners

Fingerprint scanners for mobile phones are widely used in modern smartphones and usually adopt capacitive technology. Users can unlock the phone, verify payment, protect privacy, etc. by touching or pressing their finger on the scanning area. The advantage of capacitive fingerprint scanners is that they have a fast response time and can support higher recognition accuracy.

Fingerprint scanners for smartphones are often integrated under the screen, on the back of the phone, or on the power button for quick access. In addition, fingerprint recognition on mobile phones is often combined with other biometrics (e.g. facial recognition) to further enhance the security of the phone.

Fingerprint scanners for access control systems

Fingerprint access control systems are commonly found in companies, schools, laboratories, etc., and are mainly used to control the entry and exit of people. Such systems are usually equipped with more efficient fingerprint recognition modules, which can quickly process the fingerprint information of a large number of people and improve the efficiency of access control.

Access control fingerprint scanners usually use optical or ultrasonic technology, and can cope with more complex environments, such as wet and dry fingers, dirty fingers and other issues. After recognising the identity of a person, the system can quickly grant or deny access, providing an efficient and secure access control method.

Fingerprint Scanners for Public Facilities

In public places, fingerprint scanners are also increasingly used in various types of equipment, such as vending machines, ATMs, and hospital kiosks. These devices provide users with convenient identity verification and transaction processing functions through fingerprint identification technology.

For example, some bank ATM machines have been equipped with fingerprint scanning function, which allows users to withdraw money by scanning their fingerprints, eliminating the need to input passwords and enhancing the security of transactions. Fingerprint recognition technology in public equipment usually needs to balance efficiency and ease of use, so it is often the choice of mature optical or capacitive fingerprint scanning technology.

Fingerprint Scanner Security and Future Developments

Security Vulnerabilities and Protection of Fingerprint Scanners

Despite the relatively high security of fingerprint scanners, there are still some potential vulnerabilities. For example, fingerprint images can be stolen, forged, or spoofed by duplicating the finger. To enhance security, modern fingerprint scanners use ‘live detection’ technology, which prevents the use of fake fingerprints for identity fraud by determining whether the fingerprint is live or not.

In addition, fingerprint scanners can incorporate encryption algorithms to encrypt and store fingerprint data to prevent data leakage. Nonetheless, as technology continues to evolve, so do the means of hacking, so continuing to improve the security of fingerprint recognition technology is an important direction for the future.

Future Technology Progress

Future fingerprint scanners will be more intelligent, combining technologies such as artificial intelligence and deep learning, which can further improve recognition accuracy and processing speed. For example, through AI algorithms, fingerprint images can be automatically repaired, reducing the rate of misidentification when the finger is in poor condition. Meanwhile, with the application of big data, the fingerprint recognition system may be combined with other means of identity verification (e.g. facial recognition, iris scanning) to achieve more accurate multi-factor identity verification.

In terms of hardware, fingerprint scanners will become more miniaturised and integrated, adapting to the needs of more scenarios, such as smart wearable devices, automobiles, and home devices.

Integration with other biometric technologies

Future fingerprint scanners may be combined with other biometric technologies, such as facial recognition, voice recognition, iris scanning, etc., to form a multiple authentication system. This composite authentication method can effectively enhance security and prevent the risk of a single biometric trait being cracked.

For example, in some high-security places, the combination of fingerprint scanning and facial recognition will greatly reduce the possibility of identity theft and provide users with more comprehensive protection.

The future of fingerprint identification technology is full of infinite possibilities. With the development of intelligence and integration, fingerprint scanners will show their unique advantages in more scenarios. As a technology pioneer in this field, Beijing EdgeWater Technology Development Co., Ltd. will continue to promote the innovation and development of fingerprint identification technology, and serve global users with more intelligent, accurate and secure products. In the future, we can expect that the fingerprint scanner is not only a simple identity verification tool, but also a ubiquitous ‘guardian’ in our lives. Whether in mobile phones, homes or more complex security scenarios, fingerprint identification will bring us a safer and more convenient experience.