Sony is to introduce a fingerprint scanner in a Memory Stick form
factor next month.
The card, which is smaller than a stick of chewing gum, can
register and verify fingerprints of users for applications such as
computer log on, unlocking of encrypted data files or the digital
signing of documents.
It can stay connected to a single PC and be used to verify
different users, and is also small enough to be carried around by
individual to verify themselves on a number of different machines,
such as in a corporate environment.
The device is a follow-on to Sony's FIU-710, a card-sized
fingerprint scanner that the company has been selling for about two
years, and will be introduced along with a USB Memory Stick reader.
A special reader for the device is needed because most Memory Stick
slots accept the card flush with the edge of the adapter meaning
the card is completely enclosed and users cannot put their fingers
on the reader.
The FIU-900 works in a similar way to the FIU-710, storing and
registering fingerprints in its 512Kbytes of internal memory, and
there are several differences to the two devices beyond their size.
The fingerprint scanner sensor in the latest device is a slightly
lower resolution - however verification can be accomplished in 60
milliseconds compared with one second on the previous model.
Both models support DES and Triple DES encryption and decryption of
data and the FIU-900 can generate and store RSA keys up to 2,048
bits in length, which is double that of its predecessor.
Sony also sells a number of other fingerprint scanners and systems.
The FIU-600 features an updated version of the fingerprint scanning
technology but omits the cryptographic functions, and the FIU-300
is available to other manufacturers to integrate into their own
products.