The ability to identify humans using a fingerprint is a fast growing technology, which has now reached a level of quality such that it can be applied to many different industries. The possibilities are endless; from gyms, to schools, to festivals and events – basically any place that requires attendance or access control can be outfitted with a fully digital system, the headlining feature being fingerprint readers and fingerprint locks.
Automation is something that we are already seeing across many industries – we, as a society are going paperless and online. However, we are still using swipe cards, passwords, key-codes, and fobs – all of which can be lost, stolen or forgotten. Fingerprint locks and fingerprint scanners enable a self contained and fully functional access control or attendance system, that can be integrated into existing systems as well.
This technology is seen all over the world, however Australia is a little behind the curve. We expect to see fingerprint locks, and fingerprint scanners everywhere in the next 1 to 2 years.
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How Our Fingerprint Locks Work
No comments · Posted by Dan in Fingerprint Technology Explained
Introduction
The purpose of this blog is to convey the way in which the fingerprint sensors inside Boleh Biometrics products work. This will enable the reader to understand how fingerprints are used to identify people. It has become apparent that some people feel (understandably) sceptical, fearful, or worried about newly available technology. Boleh Biometrics feels that it is crucial to allay any of these feelings by using education so that the reader can understand, appreciate and most importantly, feel safe using our technology.
Background Information
Biometric technology, and in particular, fingerprint scanners have been used to identify people for over 20 years. While on a superficial level each fingerprint scanner looks and works differently, they generally use one or two of the following ways to identify people using a fingerprint:
- Points of current in the finger caused by nerve endings.
- Points of light reflected from the finger.
The technology behind the products at Boleh Biometrics, employs both of these methods in order to identify people. It is important to note that it is impossible to recreate an image of the fingerprint using these two methods.
Points of current in the finger
The thousands of nerve endings in the finger all carry what is called “current” through them. Current is caused by the electrical sensors that help nerves to touch and feel. Current is part of the phenomena of electricity, and runs through computers, the human brain and almost all technological devices.
It is possible for us to sense points of current on the finger using a sensor. Every person has a different arrangement of nerve endings, and hence different points of current at their fingerprints. Without knowing what a person’s fingerprint looks like, it is possible to identify them by the arrangement of nerve endings in their fingertips.
Points of light reflected from the finger
There are a large number of curves, ridges and peaks on the surface of a fingerprint. When light is shone onto the finger, the light bounces off these ridges and peaks at different angles. The reflected light is then read by a sensor. While it is impossible to work out what the finger looks like after the reflected light is sensed, the light will reflect in the same way every time the finger is scanned, making it useful to be used when identifying people.
Several points at which the light is concentrated (bounces of from different points on the finger and then registering at the same point on the sensor) essentially from a map of light. This does not represent an image of what the fingerprint looks like, however the map is the same every time the finger is scanned using light.
Processing the Data
The data from the sensor (using light, current or both) is then passed to a microchip which runs an algorithm on the data. This algorithm will compress, change and scramble the data in a certain way which makes it easier to store and manage. Once the data has been changed by the algorithm it is stored in memory so that it can be accessed to verify users later on.
The original data is meaningless as far as trying to produce an image of the fingerprint, and it is impossible to attempt to recreate anything meaningful from the data either before it has run through the algorithm or afterwards. Given this, it is still impossible to obtain any data from the device as it is locked in memory and cannot be decrypted without the original algorithm (stored on a protected computer owned by Boleh Biometric’s manufacturers).
Reading The Data
When it comes time for the lock to be used to identify a user, they will first place their finger on the sensor. The algorithm will then be run over the data produced by the sensor in the same way it was done to originally store the data. Once the algorithm is completed, the new scrambled data, should be the same as the data for that particular person in memory. A processor then compares the data from the person trying to gain access to those that have been recorded. If there is a match then access is granted and the recently obtained data from the sensor is then discarded, leaving only the original stored image in memory.
Going Green
Whenever a system or process goes from using forms and records, to a purely digital system the amount of paper being consumed is drastically reduced. This has a very positive impact on the environment, as well as saving money on buying paper and ink.
Summary
We can read fingerprints based on points of light or on points of current. Both of these methods render it impossible to recreate an image of, or anything similar to the original fingerprint. Data passed from the sensor is then scrambled and changed using an algorithm. Once the data has been scrambled it is only useful for that particular type of biometric lock.
Biometric Technology has been in use for over 20 years, which is around the same length of time that mobile phones have been used. It is currently used in many different applications all over the world, and Boleh Biometrics is committed to bringing this easy, safe and reliable new technology to Australia.
biometric technology · Biometrics · Boleh Biometrics · Fingerprint locks · fingerprint scanner · fingerprint technology
Underneath the amazing applications of biometric technology is the technology itself, and it really is something remarkable. I have been lucky enough to explain this technology to very educated, technical people, as well as to non-technical people, and I have found that both types of audiences present different challenges, and different joys.
Explanations to Academics
Casual conversation with technical people can quickly turn into an in-depth technical discussion, with bystanders sometimes mistaking the jargon and acronyms used for a foreign language. Exceptional questions, and comments about the technology can pop up, which certainly keeps me on my toes and ensures that I have a well rounded understanding of our fingerprint locks – even though some of what I know is not directly related to my discipline of engineering.
I find these conversations are always interesting, and I always learn something new, and I feel a great feeling of pride when I get the “thumbs up” as they remark the technology is impressive. But while I gain, and test my technological expertise I do not gain the ability to analogise, break down and explain the technology without the jargon and acronyms that only technical people are well versed with.
Explanations to the General Public
A notion of excitement from someone who 5 minutes ago had no idea what a biometric lock is, is perhaps one of the best parts of my job. A fine line between patronising a listener and overloading a listener is often walked when explaining how our locks work. I always know that I have explained the technology well, when they suddenly share my excitement for the technology.
Breaking the barrier between science that only some can understand, to marvels that everyone can understand is a great thing. And while our biometric locks aren’t nearly as involved as astro-physics I will leave you with this thought provoking quote:
“If we do discover a complete theory, it should be in time understandable in broad principle by everyone . . . . Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people be able to take part in the discussion of why we and the universe exist.”
– Stephen Hawking
Daniel Dawson
Software Engineer
Boleh Biometrics
www.bolehbiometrics.com.au
education · explaination · Fingerprint locks · our technolgy · technical
Biometrics is an amazing field of technology which promotes a synergy between man and machine. It is a huge step forward in ubiquitous computing (ubicomp) and I am truly proud to be part of such a progressive industry. It is a technology which is taking off all over the world; being used heavily by the Indian Government, throughout banks in China, and by various institutes in the USA. Now it is Australia’s turn to experience the benefits of biometrics, and I will explain my experiences, ideas and thoughts on helping to bring fingerprint technology into Australia.
Education:
Aussie skepticism can be a trialling barrier to entry for any emerging product, service or technology – and education is the first step in alleviating any fear or skepticism that may be felt (understandably) towards fingerprint scanning products. Obviously, it is not advisable to explain that the locks use a “one way cryptographic hash function” to your average consumer, so our focus as biometric educators quickly turned to explaining concepts visually with animations and diagrams.
We can now honestly say that its possible to educate someone about biometrics in several minutes; from the optical and current sensing equipment, to the way the data is passed through an algorithm and stored in memory. While our presentations don’t qualify our attendees to be university professors it does assure them that the technology is safe and reliable – we see this as a priceless piece of mind.
Spreading the Word:
Another reason why most people in Australia are still using the old fashion key, is perhaps because they do not know about alternatives. While most people interested in technology would love to get their hands on our locks, other not so interested people simply don’t know they exist. To alleviate this, we find that exhibitions and just about any public appearance is useful, this makes the concept of fingerprint locks available for people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.
Despite the challenges of this industry, it is amazing to see how different people take to new technology and the smile that a new sense of ease and security puts on their face. Thank you for reading, and I will leave you with a thought provoking quote from Bill Gates:
“The Internet? We are not interested in it.”
– Bill Gates, 1993
- Daniel Dawson
Software Engineer
Boleh Biometrics
Australia · Biometric Education · Biometrics · Boleh Biometrics · Customised Software Solutions · Fingerprint · Fingerprint locks · Fingerprint Safes · Fingerprint Systems · Lock · Safe
