“In outlining the need for the system, BIO-key alluded to a recent study by NYU and MSU researchers suggesting that a ‘MasterPrint’ composite of common fingerprint characteristics could be used to trick small area sensors for bogus authentication…”

BIO-key has been granted a new patent pertaining to small area fingerprint sensors.

Basically, the system detailed in the patent is concerned with making such fingerprint scanning more reliable. In a statement announcing the patent, BIO-key explained that the system allows “existing small area sensors to capture substantially more fingerprint surface area,” which allows for “a higher degree of accuracy” in biometric matching.

In outlining the need for the system, BIO-key alluded to a recent study by NYU and MSU researchers suggesting that a ‘MasterPrint’ composite of common fingerprint characteristics could be used to trick small area sensors for bogus authentication; BIO-key’s system is designed to overcome this threat by “using the existing small sensor as a dynamic area capture device when needed.” As BIO-key CTO Mira LaCous asserted, the solution means that OEMs don’t need to choose between compact size and accuracy when seeking to integrate fingerprint sensors into their devices, delivering for them “the best of both worlds”.

With increasing numbers of electronic devices incorporating biometric sensors, the solution could prove impactful for OEMs working on smaller devices and other products where compactness is a premium.

(Originally posted on FindBiometrics)