| Which sort of biometrics to choose? |
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Which sort of biometrics to choose. The next step is choosing the right biometric system. The various systems do all have their specific characteristics. Depending on the application one has to make a choice. Nedap has the expertise and can give advice selecting the right biometrics. Some systems offer a high security (accuracy, stability) enabling them to be used for identification. Other systems offer a high convenience (ease of use, speed) making them suitable for public applications. The figure below places the biometric systems in a “convenience versus security” space and will give some guidance.
Hand geometry This system is characterized by its very low False Reject Rate (i.e. the chance that it will fail to recognize an authorized person's hand) even under unfavorable conditions. Hand geometry makes use of the fact that the dimensions of the hand and the fingers are unique to each individual. In comparison with other biometrics, the accuracy of hand geometry is lower and can only be used in verification. The system works under difficult environmental conditions making it very suitable for factory sites and sports and leisure facilities. Hand, finger vascular pattern A relative new form of biometric recognition that has been successfully used for several years in Korea and Japan is the recognition of the pattern of blood vessels in the hand or finger. This pattern is unique for each individual to permit reliable recognition. Minor changes can occur as a result of temperature changes; blood vessels contract when the hands are cold and dilate when they are warm. However, it is possible to compensate adequately for this in the software, and it does not cause any problems in day-to-day use.  Fingerprint recognitionTypical characteristics of Fingerprint recognition are the high accuracy and the compact size of the equipment making it easy to incorporate into devices such as PCs, laptops or mobile telephones. Fingerprints have been regarded as a reliable biometric parameter for over 100 years. The new generation of fingerprint readers has been greatly improved. Nevertheless, the chance of non-recognition remains somewhat higher compared to other biometric systems. This is attributable not only to the quality of the readers but also to the fingerprint itself. Some people's fingerprints are damaged or lacking in definition. Face recognition This system is characterized by its high speed and ease of recognition. Good recognition can be achieved by looking into the camera for just a couple of seconds. In addition, the reliability of face recognition systems has been greatly improved in recent years, especially their ability to cope with changing (light) conditions. These systems are excellently suited to applications that need to check many people in a short period. Because of its ease of use and simplicity the system is also very well suitable for applications outside high security, e.g. sports and leisure. 3D Face recognition Adding a third dimension to the picture of a face improves the accuracy of face recognition considerably. It even allows the user to refrain from the use of ID cards provided that the total number of people in the system does not exceed a few thousand. This results in a very convenient system for the user; no physical contact and recognition within seconds.  Iris recognitionIris recognition is characterized by a very high degree of accuracy. It offers the possibility to identify people with 100% certainty because the system quickly and unerringly retrieves the correct code from a database containing the iris codes of millions of eyes. This ensures that it selects the right person. Moreover, the systems currently in use are virtually problem-free in operation; only a small percentage of users has difficulties using the system. This can usually be resolved by a little practice and instruction. Iris recognition is the only system that can also be used for a large number of users with no ID badge or PIN code. For more information on these types of Biometrics, please visit our Partner Program page. |
