Are you shopping for biometric locks? Then you need to read this article explaining Gray level
If you're in the market for a fingerprint lock to increase your security measures,
you might find the specifications of such biometric locks to be quite intimidating.
It is a lot of information to take in, especially if you are not technologically savvy.
Biometrics refers to methods which are used to recognize a person based on his unique characteristics. Biometric devices can recognize two types of traits: physiological (body shape) and behavioural.
Physiological characteristics include:
* Fingerprint
* Hand Structure
* Facial Structure
* Ear Shape
* DNA
* Optical Recognition (iris or retina)
* Scent
In fact a type of biometrics technology and biometrics locks which people have come to accept is fingerprint lock technology.
Biometric locks available for consumer use typically rely on fingerprint identification. When you place or swipe your finger over the sensor, it creates an image of your fingerprint for comparison with information it already has. The lock opens when it confirms you are a match—or not.
When comparing biometric door locks, you will come across a variety of terminology and acronyms in product descriptions. These specifications can enable you to choose the product which is best for your needs.
False Acceptance Rate (FAR) refers to the probability that the system will grant access when no match was found. Alternatively, False Rejection Rate (FRR) is the likelihood of a biometric lock denying access when a match should have been made. Both of these ratios should be as close to zero as possible, with a 1 per 100 ratio being considered acceptable.
Fingerprint locks have what is known as a "fingerprint capacity" or a maximum for how many users (one fingerprint each) can be programmed into the system. Fingerprints locks typically have a capacity of 99.
Sensors resolution is described as dots per inch or DPI. A resolution of 500 DPI or more is considered high while a resolution of 400 DPI or greater it acceptable. Some devices have a lower resolution of 200 to 300 DPI and will produce imagery of lower quality. Biometric sensors with a higher resolution may take longer to work, especially when the devices are scanning a larger subject (an entire hand as compared to one finger).
Some product specifications include "gray-level." Almost all commercially available biometric devices have a gray level of 256 (8 bits per pixel), which meets the Federal Bureau of Investigation's standards for their Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) and should certainly meet yours as well.
Gray level, along with other factors ensures that the sensor within a biometric lock is capable of producing high quality images which truly represent what subject scanner (for instance, your finger).
When you compare product descriptions of one biometric lock to another, you will probably notice that the devices have similar FARs, FRRs, fingerprint capacities, resolutions and gray-levels.
Most biometric locks differ when it comes to the inclusion of a back up entry method (PIN or key are common) which may be important if you do not fully trust a biometric system. Otherwise, you will be safe purchasing nearly any fingerprint lock on the market.
