Photo: Fulcrum Biometrics.
FbF mobileOne is a fingerprint reader accessory that snaps onto the iPod touch (2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation) and enables portable networkable biometric identification systems.
Portable biometric identification systems usually involve a laptop PC, tethered fingerprint scanner and other equipment that require separate power sources, making them difficult to use in remote and rural areas. FbF mobileOne is suited for law enforcement warrant searches, which can be a time-consuming and costly process that usually involves taking offenders back to the station for booking, according to Ken Nosker, Fulcrum's president. The battery powering the device is rated to last more than nine hours.
The FbF mobileOne uses AuthenTec's TCEFC1 TouchChip silicon fingerprint module which sends FIPS-201/PIV-certified fingerprint images to the FbF mobileOne app on iPod touch for onboard processing, storage and forwarding. The FbF mobileOne app supports the embedded fingerprint scanner.
The FbF mobileOne captures fingerprint images when a finger is placed on the sensor and securely uploads the data to the FbF mobileOne app on iPod touch where it is processed, matched against the on-board fingerprint database or forwarded to a remote host.
"Immune to strong light that can degrade the fingerprint image quality of optical fingerprint sensors, the TCEFC1 offers a compelling mobile identification solution for the FbF mobileOne," according to Mike Chaudoin, AuthenTec's director of government and access control marketing.
The FbF mobileOne biometric accessory retails for $599. The accompanying app is available for free from Apple's App Store.