1) Which readers are supported by Fingerprint SDK 2009?
Below is the list of supported readers:
- Digital Persona U 4500
- Eikon D2 Pro
- Suprema BIOMINI
- Microsoft Fingerprint Reader
- Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer with Fingerprint Reader
- Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader
- Biotouch / Futronic FS80
- Nitgen Hamster I
- Nitgen Hamster II
- Certis Image Orcanthus
- Crossmatch V250/V300/V300 LC/V300 LC2/V500
- Crossmatch V320 LC
- Digital Persona U.are.U 4000/4000B
- Testech Bio-I
- SecuGen Hamster FDU02
- M2SYS M2-S
- Testech Nexess
- SecuGen Hamster Plus
- SecuGen Hamster IV
- Futronic FS88
- Suprema RealScan-D
- Suprema RealScan-S
- AES1610
- AES2501
- AES4000
- UPEK TouchChip (PID 0x2015)
- Verifi P4000
- Verifi P5000
2) I have another reader that does not appear in the list. It means that I can't use it with Fingerprint SDK 2009?
Not natively. You can still use your reader if you can capture the image (capture the image and save it as BMP file) and load it into GrFinger using the LoadImageFromFile method (check the Developer's manual).
3) What is necessary for me to use the reader?
If you have a Microsoft or a DigitalPersona fingerprint reader, you must install Griaule's Fingercap USB Driver 2.0. It replaces completely the manufacturer's device driver or application, simplifying the application installation and deployment. You can download Fingercap in http://www.griaule.com/page/en-us/downloads
Note that Fingercap replaces DigitalPersona and Microsoft drivers and is the only driver accepted for using DigitalPersona and Microsoft readers in Fingerprint SDK 2009. So IF YOU HAVE A DIGITALPERSONA OR MICROSOFT DRIVER INSTALLED IN YOUR PC, UNINSTALL IT BEFORE INSTALLING FINGERCAP.
Note also that Fingercap does not work with another DigitalPersona programs, such as DigitalPersona Password Manager or DigitalPersona Integrator Gold. So IF YOU HAVE DIGITALPERSONA SOFTWARES INSTALLED IN YOUR PC, UNINSTALL THEM.
The other readers require the installation of the manufacturer's drivers. You can find them in our site, http://www.griaule.com/page/en-us/downloads, or in the manufacturer's site.
4) How many readers does a single machine support using Fingerprint SDK 2009?
Fingerprint SDK 2009 supports multiple readers and allows, at the same time, multiples readers to be used on the same computer. You can have up to 127 devices connected with the following fingerprint readers models:
*Testech
*M2SYS M2-S
*Futronic
*Microsoft Fingerprint Reader
*DigitalPersona
If you have da Nitgen, Crossmatch, Secugen, Certis fingerprint readers, only one device by machine is supported.
In case of having more than one reader on the same machine, it is possible to identify which reader is being used just in case the readers have a serial number like Microsoft and Digital Persona readers.
5) Why are those readers supported?
We have chosen those readers because we want to support the most common readers in the market, such as Microsoft and DigitalPersona. Note that Fingerprint SDK 2009 is the ONLY SDK IN THE MARKET THAT SUPPORTS MICROSOFT FINGERPRINT READER. But nothing impedes that in the future other readers can be supported by our SDK.
6) Does Fingerprint SDK 2009 support newer (or different) versions of the readers above?
Concerning Microsoft and DigitalPersona devices, we are not sure about it. As we did not homologate these different versions, we cannot guarantee the functioning. But if there were no changes in the architecture of the reader, your reader can work. You only will discover by testing.
Concerning the other brands, you also will discover by testing. Fingerprint SDK 2009 may not work due to changes in the architecture of the reader.
If your reader didn't work with Fingerprint SDK 2009, check question 2.
Note that Griaule is always working for that Fingerprint SDK can support as many readers as possible.
7) What reader does Griaule recommend to me?
This is a question with no answers. It depends on your needs. We used to say that Microsoft Fingerprint Reader is the cheapest and easiest to find, but it depends on many things and contexts (where are you, what reader is the most common in your country, what reader is easier to get for you). But what we can guarantee is that all the readers supported by Fingerprint SDK 2009 are very good and there are no big technical differences between them. So, it depends on you.
8) Can I turn off the reader by Fingerprint SDK 2009 or by another way?
No. The reader stays on as you plug it in the PC and as there is a driver installed and working in the PC. And it stays off as you unplug it. There is not a way to turn off the reader by Fingerprint SDK 2009 or even by any function in your PC.
9) I'm not getting to use my DigitalPersona U.are.U 4000. What can be happening?
DigitalPersona U.are.U 4000 (not 4000B) has a bug that can appear in some programs like Fingerprint SDK 2009. It does not mean that the reader necessarily won't work with Fingerprint SDK 2009 (we have registered some cases), but there's a possibility of not working. Because of it, we do not recommend this reader (even because the 4000B version does not have the bug anymore).
10) How can I improve the quality of the fingerprints?
Here are some tips for a good fingerprint enrollment:
- Use the index finger whenever possible;
- Check if the finger has any scars or is wounded in some way. Choose another finger if necessary (preferably the middle one, otherwise the ring finger);
- Ask the person to place the center of his/her finger in the center of the fingerprint reader and apply some pressure;
- Depending on the fingerprint reader, the person may have to keep the finger upon the reader from 1 to 3 seconds;
- Make sure that the enrollment was good by asking the person to put his/her finger again in the fingerprint reader, and then try to identify him/her.
11) How can I clean the surface of the reader? Can I use chemical substances?
We do not recommend the use of chemical substances for cleaning. We recommend the use of adhesive tape. Adhesive tape is the best way to take out the grease from the surface.
12) My reader is not working. What can I do?
- If you are using Microsoft or DigitalPersona devices check if you have installed Fingercap. If not, check above all the information about Fingercap in the question 3.
- Check if there is installed in your PC a DigitalPersona program, such as Password Manager. DigitalPersona programs conflicts with Fingercap and cannot be installed in the same computer.
- Fingercap also conflicts with Microsoft and DigitalPersona drivers. So, if you have one of them (or both) installed in your PC, uninstall them.
- When you uninstall, you have to unplug your reader from the PC. Only after the installation is done, you can plug it.
13) Does Fingerprint SDK 2009 (or Fingercap) allow programming in my reader? I mean, if I can, for example, program my reader in way that it works in a period of time.
No. Fingerprint SDK 2009 only connects with the reader to get the fingerprint (this connection is done by Fingercap). You cannot change the architecture of the reader, or its working, or its features by programming with Fingerprint SDK 2009 . The function of Fingerprint SDK 2009 is integrate biometrics in your program, not change the functioning of your reader.