News
Issue #2003 - 15 (May 2003)
(Updated May 8, 2003)

DEVICES

Casio Develops Small, Thin Fingerprint Scanner

Source - Mobile Commerce World UK by Joe Ayliffe 

Casio Computer and Alps Electric have developed a small fingerprint scanner built into a short, thin cylinder for use in mobile telephones and other portable devices. -

The cylinder, 6mm in diameter and 15mm long, contains a sensor, light and lens. When users roll their fingers over the device, it can produce an 8-level monochrome fingerprint image at 600dpi resolution, the two companies said in a joint statement. 

To demonstrate the device, the companies built it into a prototype mobile telephone handset. 

The scanner is scheduled to enter mass production in October this year. It is expected to cost around [yen] 1000 ($14.70) per unit. The scanner is aimed at PDA users and the enterprise market who are upgrading handsets/devices for the mobile worker.

Source - Mobile Commerce World UK by Joe Ayliffe

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: Fingerprint scanner for PDAs is a great idea. Handheld device security is an important requirement. However, this security mechanism must be tied with security servers and user authentication software. This is only the first fundamental step We also believe that price ($14 a piece) is too high for handset manufacturers. It should be less than $5 a piece in thousand unit quantities..

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