Fingerprint sensors offer easy route to biometrics

AuthenTec, the world leader in biometric fingerprint sensor innovation, has appointed Alpha Micro Components as the distributor of its products within the UK and Ireland.

AuthenTec, the world leader in biometric fingerprint sensor innovation, has appointed Alpha Micro Components as the distributor of its products within the UK and Ireland.

Under the arrangement, Alpha Micro Components will sell AuthenTec's wide range of award winning fingerprint sensors, which allows biometric technology to be easily integrated into a wide variety of products including PCs, laptops, mobile phones and access control systems.

To date, AuthenTec's sensors are currently being used in more than 5 million devices worldwide.

AuthenTec uses its award-winning TruePrint technology, which makes its sensors practical for nearly every device and capable of reading virtually any finger.

With TruePrint technology, AuthenTec's sensors are able to read fingerprint patterns from everyone, under a wide range of conditions.

AuthenTec's sensors are the only ones in production that use small radio frequency signals to detect an image of the fingerprint ridge and valley pattern underneath the surface of the skin, to the live layer below.

Reading fingerprint patterns just beneath the skin ensures that all prints can be read regardless of whether fingers are dry, thickly calloused, or worn smooth by mechanical or chemical means.

AuthenTec offers two families of touch and swipe sensors - FingerLoc and EntrePad.

These sensors are widely used in notebook and tablet PCs to provide advanced security and to replace the need for passwords.

This allows authorised users to easily and quickly access their files by simply touching or sliding their finger across the sensor surface, while restricting access to the computer and its files to only those enrolled, reducing the risk of theft or fraud.

AuthenTec sensors also make PCs easier to use, by enabling users to quickly open applications, switch desktop applications, or scroll through menus - at the simple swipe of their finger.

In mobile phones, AuthenTec's sensors combine security with a broad range of features and functions that are controlled at the simple touch or swipe of a finger.

In security, the sensor replaces passwords and authenticates the phone's user - protecting buddy lists and stored photos, and providing additional security for m-commerce and mobile banking services that are gaining popularity worldwide.

The same sensors enable users to easily personalise and operate their mobile phones with multifinger speed dial, instant buddy list access, and other functions.

In addition, the sensors provide easy full navigation for wireless gaming.

Marc Gebert, Director Sales and Marketing EMEA, AuthenTec, commented: "Alpha Micro's ethos and business model appealed to us from the start".

"Alpha Micro works hard to integrate the technology from their existing franchised product lines into their own range of OEM products, enabling AuthenTec to reach a wider range of customers".

"In addition to the excellent technical support they are able to offer, we believe that this partnership will allow us to penetrate even further into the UK and Irish markets".

Christos Papakyriacou, Managing Director, Alpha Micro Components, concludes: "Security and technology have always gone hand-in-hand, and biometrics is now finding its way into a range of devices to help keep the information contained within them secure".

"With security now taking centre stage, we will now be able to offer our customers a range of products that will enable them to ensure that their devices and systems are always protected".

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