Input Devices : Biometric Devices

A biometric input device measures a unique physical chracteristic of a person. The most common biometric devices are used to input a person's fingerprint into a computer. More sophisticated devices use a camera to input a description of a person's iris (the coloured part of the eye).

Biometric devices are usually used for security purposes. A record of a person's fingerprint or iris pattern is stored in a database. Later on the identity of a person can be determined by re-scanning the finger or eye and looking up the results of the scan in the database. Biometric devices provide a very reliable way of identifying people. Real world applications of this include :

Access Control	A biometric security system can control access to computer files or buildings instead of passwords or keys.
Passports	Biometric information can be included in electronic passports, making it much harder for a passport to be fraudulently used.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004