Fingerprint Scanner
Some people still think of biometrics as belonging only to highly secure laboratories and secret espionage facilities.
What is a Fingerprint Door Lock?
These door locks open when an electronic reader scans the unique fingerprint of a person.
The fingerprint reader turns the fingerprint into a numerical algorithm, and the number is secured into a database. In order to unlock that algorithm again, the same fingerprint needs to be rescanned.
Computerized fingerprint scanners have been a mainstay of spy thrillers for decades, but up until recently, they were pretty exotic technology in the real world. In the past few years, however, scanners have started popping up all over the place -- in police stations, high-security buildings and even on PC keyboards. You can pick up a personal USB fingerprint scanner for less than $100, and just like that, your computer's guarded by high-tech biometrics. Instead of, or in addition to, a password, you need your distinctive print to gain access.