Microprocessor smart cards with fingerprint user authentication

Due to the great increase in information technology systems where user authentication is needed, security relies on using PINs or passwords. The scientific community is trying to improve biometric techniques in order for them to be accepted as an alternative to other user authentication schemes. One sector where user identity must be verified is identification cards. In fact, if high level security is to be achieved, smart cards should be used, but cardholder verification is performed using CHV-keys, which are PIN-based. The authors are trying to integrate fingerprint verification inside a smart card. A fingerprint scheme is shown, and work to achieve integration inside a commercial smart card is discussed.