| Title Page | Introduction | What is Biometrics | Security Concerns | Conclusion | References |
Biometrics is defined by Merriam-Webster (2014) as, "the measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioral characteristics (as fingerprint or voice patterns) especially as a means of verifying personal identity" (Merriam-Webster.com). Biometrics can be used for security reasons or for informational purposes. There are all different types of biometric scanners out there in fact if you have been to an airport in recent years, you have been through biometric scanners. At airports they use two different types of body scanners, Blackscatter X-ray scanners and Millimeter wave scanners. They both work in different ways but both come out with similar results. These devices are huge and require a lot more technology then what could fit in your pocket.
Every human being on Earth has a different fingerprint. Even identical twins have different fingerprints. So it makes complete sense to use them to secure technology. Fingerprint devices work in different ways. Apple Inc. is using a sensor it calls TouchID. It works by using an image sensor to take a picture of your fingerprint and saves it. Then when you move your finger over the sensor to unlock your device, it pulls up that image and compares it to what it currently sees. Fingerprint scanners are not new, in fact they are not even new to smart phones. Even more so, fingerprint scanners, can be purchased and connected to your computer via USB.
Facial recognition has been used in computers for quite some time. Almost any PC that has a camera, or if you choose to buy a stand alone third party camera, has the ability of doing facial recognition via third party software. It is similar to fingerprint scanning, as it takes and saves an image of your face and then when you log in to your computer it recalls that image and checks if it is a match. Though unlike the fingerprint scanner, it has a much higher rate of error, due to the variability in lighting situations in which the original and log in images were taken.
Iris scanning and retina scanning both work similarly to facial recognition and to fingerprint scanners. The iris scanner works by looking at the colored section of the eye, also known as the iris. John Trader (2012) says, "The iris (plural: irides or irises) is a thin, circular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupils and thus the amount of light reaching the retina." (blog.m2sys.com). Just like fingerprints, both the retina and iris have unique features to each individual. According to John (2012), "The human retina is a thin tissue composed of neural cells that is located in the posterior portion of the eye." (blog.m2sys.com). Both the iris scan and retina scan use infrared light and a camera to image the eye. One down side to the retina scan is that based on the condition of your health it can change.
Heart beat sensors is a technology, until recently, only used in the health care profession. As companies work to create wearable technology, they are also looking to give them more functionality. Like many of the other sensors there are different ways of detecting and monitoring a heartbeat. According to Apple Insider (2010), Apple Inc. filed a patent in January of 2009 that, "would be able to track the electrical activity of a heart during a heartbeat." (appleinsider.com).
A pedometer is a device used for tracking how many steps you take. In fact, many devices already have the capability to be pedometers. Pedometers are not anything new. All it takes is an existing motion sensor such as a 3-way gyroscope or a 3-way accelerometer, which most smart phones have both. The only other thing needed is software and algorithms capable of understanding the movement.
Like the pedometer, sleep sensors use either a 3-way gyroscope or a 3-way accelerometer and some algorithms with software to determine how well you slept at night. Then using the algorithms and software, it will determine whether you were awake or if you were in deep or normal sleep.
Fingerprint, facial, iris, and retina scanning have their uses in security. According to Apple Insider (2010), a patent Apple Inc. filed for in 2009 could, "detect a user's heartbeat when the phone is picked up. That biometric data can be used to identify an individual." (appleinsider.com) So a heartbeat sensor could be used not only for health purposes, but also to identify the particular user. Heartbeat sensors and pedometers have quite a few uses in health and fitness. The sleep sensors have their use in health and fitness as well, and are already being utilized in the Jawbone UP and UP24 bands. There is no knowing what other technologies companies will look at utilizing for further use in electronics. Most smart phones, laptops, and even desktop computers have a built in camera or have the ability to do third party USB camera. It would not take much to adapt this, currently used technology, and turn it in to an iris scanner. According to Juli Clover at MacRumors (2014), iris scanners have been used in Amsterdam Airport and in the United Arab Emirates at boarder crossings as an alternative to a passport. And Google has been using iris scanners for entry into its data centers (macrumors.com).
| Title Page | Introduction | What is Biometrics | Security Concerns | Conclusion | References |