Fingerprint recognition utilizes various technologies, primarily optical, capacitive, and ultrasound scanners, to capture and analyze fingerprint patterns.
These technologies work as follows:
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Optical Scanners: These scanners use visible light to illuminate the fingerprint and capture an image. They are a common and relatively inexpensive technology.
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Capacitive Scanners: These scanners use tiny capacitors to measure the distance between the fingerprint ridges and the sensor. They are more resistant to spoofing than optical scanners.
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Ultrasound Scanners: These scanners use high-frequency sound waves to create a 3D image of the fingerprint. They are the most accurate and secure technology, but also the most expensive.
After the fingerprint image is captured, sophisticated algorithms extract distinctive features (minutiae points, ridge patterns) and compare them to stored templates for identification or verification. The selection of specific technology usually depends on cost, security requirements, and application constraints.