Biometrics identifies people by a unique human characteristic. The size and shape of a hand, a fingerprint, the voice and several aspects of the eye are just some unique attributes. The word “biometric” simply means the measurement of a living trait, whether physiological or behavioral. Biometric technologies compare a person’s unique characteristics against a previously enrolled image for the purpose of recognition. It does not record finger or palm prints. 

Geometric measurements of the hand (lengths, widths, areas, and heights) are calculated from the silhouette and then “compressed” by a mathematical formula into a 9- byte numerical template. Since the compression is so high, it is infeasible to reverse-engineer the 9-byte template into the hand image or even the raw geometric measurements of the person that used the Hand Reader. The Hand Reader terminal does not collect and store an image of the hand, but instead it converts the image to a 9-byte numerical template which is a mathematical representation of size and shape of the hand. Once this numerical template is developed it is stored in a memory location which is defined by the person’s ID number. The Hand Reader measures the unique size and shape of the fingers and hand. Over 90 different measurements are made such as: length, width, thickness, and surface area. No finger prints or palm prints are taken. Each time a user puts their hand in the Hand Reader to check in, the Hand Reader takes another image of the hand, and the algorithm converts this image to a mathematical value and then compares this new template with the template the Hand Reader has stored previously. If the two templates match, identity is confirmed and the check in is recorded. 

Hand geometry technology cannot be reverse-engineered to identify people. It does not store the image of the hand, but instead stores a 9-byte template which is a mathematical representation of the hand image. This mathematical value is meaningless to other devices. In addition, no fingerprint or palm print information is gathered. 

The infrared lights used in the hand reader are similar to those used in remote controls for TVs and VCRs. Internal testing concluded that the light intensity generated by the infrared lights in the Hand Reader is significantly less than the light intensity generated by direct sunlight. Using a Hand Reader for 30 seconds a day is comparable to standing in the sun for 0.2 seconds. Schlage Biometrics has submitted Hand Reader information to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA did not report any hazards. The Federal Communications Commission requires that computers meet sub-part J of Part 15 of FCC rules. This section details radiated energy. Schlage Biometrics has tested to these standards and meets or exceeds them. Schlage Biometrics also meets the requirements of the European Community and is CE Certified. 

Usually not enough to reject a valid user. Users should make sure that a ring is in the upright position and hand placement on the reader is accurate to avoid problems. 

You can be enrolled with your left hand; palm up while the right hand is disabled. It’s not as comfortable, but it will work. Be sure to notify the front desk immediately if this is an issue.