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Integrating a biometric fingerprint scanner

post #1 of 36
10/12/04 at 6:26pm
Thread Starter 
Apologies for starting a new thread for this, but the first one seemed a little cluttered and the one in the 88xx section just doesn't get the traffic anymore.

I'm wanting to integrate the Targus USB Fingerprint Scanner into my 8890. For those of you that don't know, the 8890 has a little slot in the top right corner to house a fingerprint scanner, but it never got implemented. There was a guy who claimed there was a USB connection right next to it, so I went in and took pictures.




The guys English wasn't that great, but from what he said, those four 'pins' that he says you have to solder in a USB connection. He said he tested it with a usb HDD, and it worked.

I just want to make sure that a) yes, these 4 pins are a USB connection and b) it's feasable to take apart the Targus scanner and solder it on. Does anyone have one of the Targus scanners? Is there a way to open it? Would you be willing to open it? Thanks guys!

For reference, Grahf found a thread with these pictures in it:


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post #2 of 36
10/13/04 at 7:44am
why would you use a finger print scanner? If anything wouldn't it be easier just to buy an external one?

laterz
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post #3 of 36
10/13/04 at 9:56am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rage
why would you use a finger print scanner?
Simple answer is security. Make sure nobody can get in to your machine.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rage
If anything wouldn't it be easier just to buy an external one?
Well, in the short term, yes. But I take my laptop all over the place, so carrying around another item I have to plug in everytime I boot up isn't really ideal. There's a space there, so why not take advantage of it. Plus it's a good project - something to do in what little spare time I have.
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post #4 of 36
10/13/04 at 12:18pm
Alright...The Targus scanner uses an AuthenTec Entre'Pad AES4000 fingerprint scanner. Now, looking at the AES4000 specs (http://www.authentec.com/products/do...4_LQFP_Pkg.pdf)

The Outer Red line look as if it will fit perfectly into the rounded out hole on our Sagers. I did some rough measurements, and it came to within about 0.015". Im thinking thats the sucker. And im thinking of picking up one of those print scanners to try it out!

Nick
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post #5 of 36
10/13/04 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 
What I'm wondering is will the USB one from Targus dismantle and have the attachments we need to solder it onto that board. All of this is presuming that noder was right in saying those pins are USB.

Can anyone confirm that's a USB connection?
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post #6 of 36
10/13/04 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pyrobob83
Simple answer is security. Make sure nobody can get in to your machine.
funny thing about that...I saw a demonstration on defeating those fingerprint scanners with gummie bears on techtv the other day
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post #7 of 36
10/13/04 at 1:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vanfanel
funny thing about that...I saw a demonstration on defeating those fingerprint scanners with gummie bears on techtv the other day
Ha ha, what?! How?

EDIT:
Just went and read some stuff on how gummie bears can beat these. But to be fair, if there's someone willing to go through that much to see my college papers, then any security measures wouldn't be enough. Security on any level can be beaten - I just want to keep my sister from using my laptop when I'm not around. Or deter someone at college from stealing my laptop. The average joe isn't going to want to or know how to aquire a fingerprint sample from me and mold a gummy bear so he can access my laptop...
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post #8 of 36
10/13/04 at 2:18pm
Forgot the most important reasont to have a fingerprint scanner on your laptop.

It doesnt have one now...

Nick
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post #9 of 36
10/13/04 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pyrobob83
Ha ha, what?! How?

EDIT:
Just went and read some stuff on how gummie bears can beat these. But to be fair, if there's someone willing to go through that much to see my college papers, then any security measures wouldn't be enough. Security on any level can be beaten - I just want to keep my sister from using my laptop when I'm not around. Or deter someone at college from stealing my laptop. The average joe isn't going to want to or know how to aquire a fingerprint sample from me and mold a gummy bear so he can access my laptop...
True...but it's still amusing to see how these types of securtiy are defeated by low tech means. It reminds me of Sony's hyped CD copy protection method a few years ago that was easily defeated by a magic marker
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post #10 of 36
10/13/04 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sloeit
Forgot the most important reasont to have a fingerprint scanner on your laptop.

It doesnt have one now...

Nick
agreed.
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post #11 of 36
10/13/04 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sloeit
Forgot the most important reasont to have a fingerprint scanner on your laptop.

It doesnt have one now...

Spoken like a true gadget geek!
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post #12 of 36
10/13/04 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wbeck
Spoken like a true gadget geek!
Thanks, I noticed your a Hokey? Im at California Polytecnic right now, ME student. And along the gadgetry theme, my current Design project is a thermoelectric Beer cooler/Burrito Warmer.

But as i told Pyro in another post, The Targus unit looks like it will work. The size of the descrete reader appears to be the size of the rounded square in the keyboard.

Nick
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post #13 of 36
10/18/04 at 12:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sloeit
...And along the gadgetry theme, my current Design project is a thermoelectric Beer cooler/Burrito Warmer.
I assume you are going to use a Peltier device. Down side of those is the very low efficiency. They need hideous amounts of current to achieve any cooling/heating. I hope you are not expecting a USB port to power it

Looking forward to results from this thread - GADGETS RULE!
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post #14 of 36
10/18/04 at 1:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vanfanel
True...but it's still amusing to see how these types of securtiy are defeated by low tech means. It reminds me of Sony's hyped CD copy protection method a few years ago that was easily defeated by a magic marker
Think that's bad, you know those locking cables for laptop? They can be picked with drinking straws and scrap cardboard!

If a theaf wants it and worthy of being called a theif, they WILL get it.

"But its a good deterant." Theives that are good at what they do will appreciate the challenge. Much the same way a cracker appreciates new IT security measures.

There are some good provem methods for detering theft, few of which require new gadgetry. The best methods have to do with you paying attention to your surroundings...
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post #15 of 36
10/18/04 at 9:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by aussie
I assume you are going to use a Peltier device. Down side of those is the very low efficiency. They need hideous amounts of current to achieve any cooling/heating. I hope you are not expecting a USB port to power it

Looking forward to results from this thread - GADGETS RULE!

Yep, Peltier for sure. Using lots of current? HELL YA, but that was never a design stipulation. A rough calculation of the heat flux out of the HOT side is about 125 KW/m^2!!!!

I currently am speaking to a rep who works for AuthenTec to verify the mounting hole size. Ill let everyone know what she says.

Nick
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post #16 of 36
10/18/04 at 9:51am
Thread Starter 
Fantasic! Nice one Nick. If you get this in time, also ask him how they're typcially attached. Ie. Do they come solo? Or with usb connection?
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post #17 of 36
10/18/04 at 9:01pm
Ok heres the scoop...

She said that the size of the outer ring (gold part non scanning) is .722", however manufacturers may go smaller, its not a problem. So our space of .675" will work fine.

I dont believe they sell individually, the targus doesnt seem like a bad idea....There are probably some associated IC's in addition to the scanner itself.

So, it looks like it will fit...Who wants to spend the 49 bucks and try?

Nick
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post #18 of 36
10/19/04 at 3:27am
Thread Starter 
I will, but I have to wait until Christmas
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post #19 of 36
10/19/04 at 4:24am
Good luck to you on this one - please keep updating us, lots of pictures and a write up would be greatly appreciated.
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post #20 of 36
10/19/04 at 5:44am
Thread Starter 
Will do. I definitely won't be until Christmas before I have a chance to do this. I'll be back in the States over Christmas and will have a chance (and money...) to do it then. If anyone else does this before then, give us a write up with pics
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