Thumb Scanner or Finger Scanners

A fingerprint scanner is a type of technology that identifies and authenticates the fingerprints of
an individual in order to grant or deny access to a computer system or a physical facility.

It is a type of biometric security technology that utilizes the combination of hardware and
software techniques to identify the fingerprint scans of an individual.

A fingerprint scanner typically works by first recording fingerprint scans of all authorized
individuals for a particular system or facility. These scans are saved within a database. The user
requiring access puts their finger on a hardware scanner, which scans and copies the input from
the individual and looks for any similarity within the already-stored scans. If there is a positive
match, the individual is granted access.

Fingerprint scanners most commonly use an individual's thumbprint as identification.

It used to be that fingerprint scanners were mostly seen in movies and TV shows, or read about
in science fiction novels. But such times of imagination surpassing human engineering ability
has been long gone — fingerprint scanners have been in use for decades! Not only are fingerprint
scanners becoming more commonplace in the latest mobile devices, but they’re gradually
making headway into everyday life. Here’s what you should know about fingerprint scanners and
how they work.

Human fingerprints are practically unique, which is why they’re successful at identifying
individuals. It’s not just law enforcement agencies that collect and maintain databases of
fingerprints. Many types of occupations that require professional licensing or certification (e.g.
financial advisors, stock brokers, real estate agents, teachers, doctors/nurses, security,
contractors, etc.) mandate fingerprinting as a condition of employment. It's also typical to
provide fingerprints when having documents notarized.

Advancements in technology have been able to incorporate fingerprint scanners (can also be
referred to as ‘readers’ or ‘sensors’) as another (optional) security feature for mobile devices.
Fingerprint scanners are one of the latest in an ever-growing list – pin codes, pattern codes,
passwords, face recognition, location detection, iris scanning, voice recognition,
trusted Bluetooth/NFC connection — of ways to lock and unlock smart phones. Why use a
fingerprint scanner? Many enjoy it for the security, convenience, and futuristic feel.

Fingerprint scanners work by capturing the pattern of ridges and valleys on a finger. The
information is then processed by the device’s pattern analysis/matching software, which
compares it to the list of registered fingerprints on file. A successful match means that an identity
has been verified, thereby granting access. The method of capturing fingerprint data depends on
the type of scanner being used:

 Optical Sensor: These types of scanners basically make a photocopy of the finger. Many
illuminate the finger in order to deliver crisp contrast of lines as the light-sensitive
scanner (usually an image sensor or light-sensitive microchip) records the information to
produce a digital image. Many PC-connected fingerprint scanners use optical sensors.
 Capacitive Sensor: Instead of light, capacitive scanners use electricity (think of the way
touchscreens work) to determine fingerprint patterns. As a finger rests on the touch-
capacitive surface, the device measures the charge; ridges exhibit a change in
capacitance, while valleys produce practically no change at all. The sensor uses all this
data to accurately map out prints. Most all smartphones with fingerprint scanners use
capacitive sensors.
 Ultrasonic Sensor: Similar to how bats and dolphins use echolocation to find and
identify objects, ultrasonic scanners work via sound waves. The hardware is designed to
send out ultrasonic pulses and measure how much bounces back. Ridges and valleys
reflect sound differently, which is how ultrasonic scanners are able to create a detailed
3D map of fingerprint patterns. Ultrasonic sensors are currently being prototyped (e.g. by
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.) and tested for use in mobile devices.