What is a fingerprint authentication?
What does "minutiae extraction" mean?
A.
It captures fingerprint image from a fingertip as an
image data and extracts minutiae data then stores data. The minutiae
data consists of a ridge and a valley which would be matched with
the data captured. This algorithm is called "minutiae matching" that
can achieve a very high accuracy compared with an "image matching".
Q.
What is the advantage of using a fingerprint?
A.
The fingerprint has very unique characteristics that
are "never changed throughout your entire his/her life" and "no
one has the same fingerprint in the world". A basic pattern of the
fingerprint never changes during your life. Even twins have different
patterns. Thus it can be never stolen and lost unlike a password
and a smart card. The fingerprint is only one key in the world.
Silex introduces these because we are sure that the fingerprint
authentication provides you with the best security solution at this
time.
Q.
How do I use the fingerprint technology?
A.
For instance, silexfs security solution software, "SX-Biometrics
Suite" allows you to log in to the Windows without using a user
name and a password. You can also unlock screensaver by the fingertip.
Furthermore, this software suite includes a password bank (SX-Pass)
and a file encryption (SX-Lock) tools as well.
Moreover, if you use the software development kit (SDK), you could
integrate fingerprint technology into your proprietary applications.
Q.
what is the accuracy of the fingerprint
authentication?
A.
The accuracy of the fingerprint authentication is highly
accurate. For example, we achieve False Acceptance Rate (FAR) of
0.1% and False Rejection Rate (FRR) of 0.001% according to our lab
test based on the actual measurement, not a theory value (numerical
value calculated from the characteristic of the authentication algorithm).
Q.
Where is the fingerprint data stored?
A.
The minutiae data extracted from the fingerprint is
encrypted and stored in the HDD of the PC. In the case of using
MUSB200-COMBO, the fingerprint data is stored in the IC card. The
following procedure shows how to match and verify the fingerprint.
Q.
what is the size of minutiae data?
A.
The data size is 120 to 360 bytes.
¦Accuracy of an authentication may be decreased if the data
size is minimized. It has, however, no serious impact on the matching
performance.
Q.
Encryption method of minutiae data?
A.
The minutiae data is encrypted by our original encryption
algorithm.
Q.
Authentication (matching) performance?
A.
The average performance from scanning fingerprint to
verify it is within 1 second in case of 1:1 matching. It also averages
of within 4 seconds in case of 1:n (PC with Celeron900NHz). Since
authentication is performed by the PC, performance is highly depeudant
on the PC power.
Q.
Is privacy secured?
A.
Because only "minutiae data" is stored and used, an
actual fingerprint image data does not exist anywhere. In addition,
as mentioned, minutiae data is encrypted thus no one can re-construct
an original fingerprint image. Thus privacy is secured 100%.
Q.
Is any application software available
right now?
A.
"SX-Biometrics Suite" is available which allows the
user to log in to the PC by the fingertip without entering a user
name and a password. It can also unlock screen saver as well. SX-Biometrics
Suite is compliant with Windows 2000, and Windows XP.
Q.
Are Windows 98 SE and WindowsMe suppoted?
A.
No. Only Windows2000 and WindowsXP are supported.
Q.
Is it USB 2.0 compliant?
A.
This product is compliant with USB2.0Full-Speed.
Because USB2.0Full-Speed is completely compatible with USB1.1, it
communicates at 12Mbp/s.
Q.
What is the software development kit
(SDK) and development environment?
A.
The software development kit is a software library consisting
of Windows DLL that supports application development using the fingerprint
authentication device and technology. Using the SDK, a user can
integrate fingerprint technology into their proprietary applications.
The SDK is consists of the following:
¥Fingerprint sensor driver
¥Fingerprint sensor control library (capturing fingerprint image)
¥Minutiae extraction library
¥Matching control library
¥Sample source
¥Registration and matching demonstration application
The development environment is with Microsoft Visual C++6.0 and
Microsoft Visual C++.NET.
Q.
How can I add a new fingerprint?
A.
Select account name at the "user management" of SX-Biometrics
Suite, and follow the wizard to enroll a new fingerprint. Click "completion" then
account data is updated. If user wishes to modify enrollment data,
proceed to "user management" as well.
Q.
Can both the PC card slot located at
the right and the left be used for the FIC-200?
A.
User can use both the right and the left of PC card
slot. Our fingerprint technology allows user to place 360‹ finger
rotation on the sensor. In addtion, it is also possible to apply
the angle limitation. the user can select five different angles
at 360‹/270‹/180‹/90‹/45‹.
Q.
Can I install both FIC-200 (FUS-200)
and MUSB200-COMBO together at the same time?
A.
No. It is not possible to use them all at the same time.
SX-Biometrics Suite for FIC-200 and FUS-200 and SX-Biometrics Suite
for COMBO (MUSB200-COMBO) cannot be installed simultaneously on
the same PC. An error message will be displayed.
Q.
How to re-install SX-Biometrics Suite
when DIGITUS-Logon has been already installed?
A.
User can install SX-Biometrics Suite overridden.
If user uninstalls DIGITUS-Logon before installing SX-Biometrics
Suite, all enrolled data is deleted. Make sure to save all data
before uninstalling. All data is secured if using IC card for
the COMBO system.
Q.
How to change user account with administrator
privilege to a general user privilege?
A.
User with administrator privilege can change user account
information if multiple user account is enrolled. If not, enroll
new account with administrator privilege temporarily then change
the account information.
¦User must enroll one or more accounts with administrator
privilege.
Q.
Is anything noted when using SX-Pass?
A.
The password cannot be entered by a cut-and-paste operation
when the password is registered by SX-Pass. Enter password by the
keyboard. Use the same character set when registered. Moreover,
override or re-register password if page layout on the screen has
been changed.
Q.
How about the maintenance of the fingerprint
sensor?
A.
Keep the sensor surface clean at all the times. Apply
a small amount of alcohol into a clean cotton cloth or a tissue
then wipe the sensor carefully.
Q.
what should I do when I injure the registered
finger?
A.
Up to 5 fingers can be enrolled of the SX-Biometrics
Suite. Thus you can use another finger to log on. Furthermore, the
fingerprint will be reproduced when it get healed. If it will not
be reproduced, then use another finger to enroll.
Q.
The fingerprint image is not displayed.
A.
The image is not displayed if a finger is dry or is
wet by sweat and water.
Put cream on a fingertip or touch your face with the dry finger
and wipe well for the wet finger before placing a finger on the
sensor.
Q.
A fingerprint is hardly registered.
A.
Finger placement may sometimes cause this problem. Relax
and put your finger carefully on the sensor when enrolling. The
best finger placement would be when the center of a finger is located
slightly lower at the center of the sensor. If touching the top
of your fingertip, a finger crossing the sensor or sliding right
or left may cause a failure.
¦We recommend you to enroll at a higher score of fingerprint
data, achieved ideally over 80%. This helps you to achieve the highest
authentication performance.
Q.
During installation, system freezes during
the step of device connection.
A.
If a user connects the fingerprint device before software
installation, this symptom appears. Proceed to software installation
first then follow the wizard and attach device at the proper step.
¦DIGITUS-Logon can evade by detaching the device using the
device manager then connecting it again. User also can use the same process
if the system freezes.
SX-Biometrics Suite recognizes the device connected during the step
of device connection if user detaches it once then attaches it again.
Q.
I cannot log in to the PC because I lost
the IC card.
A.
For the account with the administrator privilege.
Enter hotkey (administrator name and password) directly to log in
to the PC. Then re-enroll using a new IC card after deleting the
previous account.
¦In order to delete the previous account, hit the "delete" key
holding the "shift" key. Make sure that log on account is not deleted
so log in to the PC by using another administrator account.
For the account with general user privilege.
Reissue a new IC card with the administrator privilege. Re-enroll
after deleting the previous account. Note Windows account is also
deleted at the same time. Contact silex customer support center
if user cannot resolve the problem.
Q.
The user account cannot be deleted.
A.
Log on account is not deleted. Once you log off the
computer, log in by using another administrator name and delete
it. If only one administrator is enrolled, add a second administrator
temporarily for deletion.
¦At least one administrator account must be registered.
Q.
What happens if using a fingerprint product
in a environment where it does not meet the operation requirement?
A.
We do not guarantee a normal operation of the product.
It may be the cause of not capturing a fingerprint image or the
sensor was malfunctioned.
Q.
Will static electricity cause problems,
especially in winter?
A.
The sensor is certified at 8KV resistance. However,
because static electricity may sometime exceed 8KV, we recommend
you touch your finger to the body of the fingerprint reader before
placing a finger on the sensor. Reboot PC or detach the device if
sensor gets reset.
Q.
Is it safe if I touch with a wet finger?
A.
We do recommend you to wipe your finger before placing
a finger on the sensor to avoid the fingerprint reader malfunctioning.