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Fingerprint Scanner That Works From 6 Feet

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the welcome-to-the-future dept.

Bruce Schneier found a somewhat older story that I haven't seen before about a device that is smaller than a tissue box, but uses two 1.3 megapixel cameras and a polarized light source to scan a fingerprint from two meters away.

13 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. this sounds very useful for you by Hazel+Bergeron · · Score: 4, Funny

    At a distance it'll be even harder to tell that you're wearing a fake fingerprint skin.

    1. Re:this sounds very useful for you by i+kan+reed · · Score: 3, Insightful

      But they would have a picture of who it was who showed the fake fingerprint if they have security issues.

  2. Isn't this bad for fingerprint scanners? by zill · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Fingerprint Sniffer That Works From 6 Feet

    Doesn't this technology invalidate all existing fingerprint scanners? An attacker can easily mine the fingerprints of every employee of a company by leaving a few innocent looking rocks in their parking lot.

    1. Re:Isn't this bad for fingerprint scanners? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Not a problem for me. I wear tinfoil gloves.

    2. Re:Isn't this bad for fingerprint scanners? by MischaNix · · Score: 5, Insightful

      People don't give a damn about the validity of their existing security technologies. They just like the feeling of security.

  3. Re:Hook up a second camera by louic · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I am not a lawyer, but the USA have proven often enough that they think they can do whatever they want for "national security", no matter whether it is legal or not.

  4. Re:Why? by milkmage · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why? because you didn't read:

    "Currently, individuals entering a military installation must place their fingers on a scanner, with a Marine standing beside them to help ensure a viable print. Powell would prefer there to be a safe distance between the Marine and the person being scanned."

    aside from personal safety, if you don't touch the pad, you don't smudge it.. thus the part about "viable print"

  5. Discount? by Gravitron+5000 · · Score: 4, Funny
    From TFA.

    Burcham says several potential customers have indicated that a single-finger scanner would be sufficient for their needs—so AOS plans to sell both a single-finger device and a more expensive five-finger device.

    But shouldn't there be a 5 finger discount?

  6. Re:Why? by CrispyZorro · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is all about people who are quite willing to implement the surveillance society for us. Everything you do will be monitored, without you knowing it.

    I finally found a use for my tin-foil gloves.

  7. Re:Why? by ciderbrew · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thanks, we put the camera behind you.

  8. Not to be technical on a tech site..but by nomel · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Could someone explain how this works? Is this some sort of speckle interferometer? I don't understand how you can get the ridge profile by separating the light polarities unless you're shining the laser at very steep angles..

  9. Re:Thumbs up! by dasdrewid · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Who's got 2 thumbs and really needs to alter some boot variables? THIS GUY!!!"

    --
    No trespassing. Violators will be shot. Survivors will be shot again.
  10. Good News by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 3, Interesting

    for glove sales.