STARTEK FM220U - User Manual

The FM220U is a high-quality CMOS-based optical USB fingerprint reader designed for fast and accurate fingerprint image capture and verification. It is widely used in system-wide enrollment and verification applications, functioning either as a stand-alone unit or an embedded device.

One of the key usage features of the FM220U is its ISO compliance, ensuring adherence to international standards for fingerprint technology. It boasts low image distortion, typically under 1%, which contributes to the clarity and accuracy of captured fingerprints. The device offers fast scanning and matching speeds, making it efficient for various applications. Users have the flexibility to set different security levels, adjusting the False Rejection Rate (FRR) and False Acceptance Rate (FAR) to meet specific application demands. The FM220U generates small fingerprint data templates, which is advantageous for storage and transmission efficiency. A notable real-life application feature is its ability to verify smeared, scarred, stained, and smudged fingers without significant problems, enhancing its practicality in diverse environments. Furthermore, the device supports verification across various operating system platforms, offering broad compatibility.

The applications for the FM220U are extensive and varied. It can be used for verification in welfare distribution systems, ensuring that benefits are dispensed to the correct individuals. In retail or banking Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, it provides secure authentication for transactions. Workforce and school attendance management systems can leverage the FM220U for accurate and efficient tracking of individuals. For Internet Service Providers (ISP) and other logical access control scenarios, it offers a robust method for user logon and access management. E-shopping and e-procurement platforms can integrate the reader for secure user authentication during online transactions. In healthcare clinics, the FM220U can facilitate secure access management for patient health records. It is also suitable for e-banking and e-KYC (Know Your Customer) applications, enhancing security and compliance. E-workflow and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems can benefit from fingerprint authentication for various processes. Additionally, it can be used for voters' verification and club membership management, providing reliable identification.

To ensure optimal performance and accurate results, proper usage and care of the FM220U are crucial. The device's fingerprint recognition technology is based on minutiae-only, focusing on the unique feature points of a fingerprint. When a fingerprint is scanned, minutiae are extracted and processed into a template for biometric enrollment and matching. The quality of the captured image directly impacts the accuracy of this process. An unclear or low-contrast fingerprint can lead to inconsistent minutiae sampling, reducing accuracy. Environmental factors and skin conditions, such as wet or dry skin, can affect image quality, making fingerprints appear too light or too dark.

Proper finger placement is key to achieving good results. Users should place the pad of their finger, not the tip, at the center of the sensor, ensuring maximum contact and that the core of the fingerprint is scanned. This helps the Startek fingerprint extraction algorithm to capture correct minutiae consistently, even if the print isn't perfect. Following these suggestions helps ensure the best quality fingerprint, leading to better performance and reducing the chances of enrollment or matching failures.

For the enrollment process, users typically follow a diagram to enroll clear fingerprints into the host device or PC. This often involves pressing and releasing the finger on the sensor multiple times as indicated. For matching, users press the Match button and then place their finger on the sensor. Upon successful matching with stored fingerprint data, information is displayed with a score. A score of 1500 and above, for a 256x324 captured image, typically ensures a security level with a minimum FAR of 1/100,000 and an FRR of 1/100. If an un-enrolled finger is used, the match will fail, and a low score will be displayed. It's recommended to use the index or middle finger for optimal recognition performance. Rotating the finger by 30 degrees or exceeding the sensor area during matching can result in lower scores due to fewer minutiae points being captured, even if the match is successful.

As a precaution, it is advisable to enroll more than one finger. This provides an alternate finger for authentication if one becomes unavailable due to injury or other reasons. Most biometric applications offer the option to enroll multiple fingers, and many also include password or PIN backup features for situations where no finger or fingerprint device is available. For problematic fingerprints caused by damp skin, wiping the fingers before input can help. For extremely dry skin, using a moisturizing lotion can be beneficial. It is important not to place the finger too slowly or too softly on the reader, as the sensor might not detect it.

In terms of maintenance, Startek fingerprint readers generally do not require special upkeep beyond occasional cleaning of the sensor window if it becomes dirty. The sensor window is designed to withstand heavy use and extreme conditions, including heat and cold. It is made of a hard, quartz-like material that resists scratches, etching, and damage from environmental elements, and it does not have coatings that can be damaged. Normal oil, residue, or smudges on the sensor window should not interfere with scanning fingerprints.

To clean the sensor window, a tissue, paper towel, or cloth can be used to wipe it down. For stubborn dirt, a cloth dampened with a soap solution can be used, ensuring excess liquid is squeezed out before wiping. Cleaning agents like glass cleaners and anti-bacterial wipes are safe for the sensor. However, strong solvents, acids, or caustic solutions should be avoided as they can damage the plastic housing of the unit. It is crucial never to pour liquids directly onto the sensor or device, as this could cause liquids to seep into the underlying components and cause damage.

Regarding fingerprint privacy, the FM220U's technology is designed to protect user data. Fingerprint images are never stored. When a fingerprint is scanned, only a portion of the minutiae (feature points) is sampled, processed by an extraction algorithm, and converted into a template. Once the template is formed, the original fingerprint image is deleted. This means that fingerprints are used in the form of templates, eliminating the need to store actual fingerprint images. Furthermore, fingerprint images cannot be reconstructed from these minutiae or templates. The digital minutiae information extracted by Startek's special algorithm is merely a group of digits, making it impossible to re-introduce or reverse engineer an image. Even if this digital information were stolen, it would not grant authorization by STARTEK products, as the input data is expected to vary slightly each time due to miscellaneous signals inadvertently recorded alongside the minutiae data.