Futronic Biometrics

Futronic Technology Company offers a line of biometric gear and software dedicated to fingerprint recognition; hardware and software components that allow an individual to logon to their Windows-based computers or networks using only their fingerprint (or a combination of fingerprint and password). Additionally, a specific hardware component and network software server are provided that can together facilitate fingerprint-based physical access to controlled corporate areas.

A key technology that is available in each of the products (with the exception of the FS20, see below) is the vendor's "Live Finger Detection" technology, or LFD. According to the vendor, LFD can be enabled within their products to prevent the use of "fake" or non-live fingers to gain access to fingerprint-protected systems. With LFD enabled, the fingerprint scanner hardware scans beneath the surface of the finger, reflecting critical information back to the fingerprint scanner enabling it to distinguish between a live finger and a rubber or silicone replica. The tradeoff is the fact that the finger must be placed in precisely the correct spot on the scanner for the LFD technology to work properly. The vendor states that the precise finger positioning is "easy to get used to" after repeated trials.

Hardware components currently offered by the vendor include the FS80 scanner (USB 2.0 connectivity), the FS82 (a version of the FS80 with an included smart card reader), the FS21M Fin'Lock (and the new, higher performance FS22), which combines a digital key pad, LED readout, and fingerprint scanner for physical access scenarios; and the FS20, a scaled-down version of the FS21M (no LFD, less local fingerprint and access log storage, etc.). The Fin'Lock, in particular, can work in Local or Network modes. In local mode, the device itself can hold up to 3,000 fingerprints and can provide direct authentication capabilities. When in network mode the device communicates with a central Fingerprint Authentication Server (FAS) which has the stored valid fingerprint data and provides the authentication capabilities. FAS is deployed on Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista machines.

The vendor states that the new FS22 increases CPU power over the FS21M such that it can process a "full match" for 700 fingerprints in 1 second (a "full match" compares the provided fingerprint to all fingerprints stored in the DB prior to giving the result).

The FS21M can directly unlock secure doors when authorized fingerprints are provided; or can additionally work in conjunction with the vendor's FS30 Remote Relay Unit (RRU), an indoor unit that receives the signal from the FS21M and can itself unlock the door (to avoid the possibility of tampering with the FS21M itself to gain direct physical access).

Software components offered by the vendor include:

- FinLogon Personal Edition (PE), which installs on individual Windows (2000/XP/2003/Vista) machines and enables a user to login to their machine using their fingerprint (captured by the FS80 or FS82). Logon can be by fingerprint only, password only, fingerprint or password, or fingerprint and password. FinLogon PE is included with the FS80 retail package. An additional "add-on" pack includes components facilitating one-touch password fill-in for forms (the user's password and id can be stored and automatically provided for Windows or Web based applications); and 64-bit 3DES file or folder encryption that is controlled and accessed via fingerprint scanning.

- FinLogon Enterprise Edition (EE), which enables fingerprint based logon to Active Directory based Windows domains. FinLogon EE is an add-on authentication module to Windows 2000/2003/2008 Server and enables the user to logon to the network using their fingerprint on any Windows 2000/XP Pro/Vista machine connected to the network with an FS80 scanner. Both Server and client components are included.

- SDK for Windows, which allows developers to incorporate Futronic fingerprint recognition capabilities into their applications. The SDK is provided as a DLL that can be called from any application in a Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista environment.

- SDK for Linux, which works in concert with the libusb library to enable the use of the FS80 in Linux environments. The vendor states that the Linux SDK includes the same functions as the Windows SDK.

The Futronic Technology Company biometric product line with LFD is available now. Contact the vendor for further information.