Integrated Fingerprint Reader

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IBM Integrated Fingerprint Reader

Integrated Fingerprint Reader

IBMs second generation of T42 models (released in Autumn 2004) was the first to feature an integrated fingerprint reader. Various models since then have had this feature, actually implemented with a number of different devices, all of which appear on the USB bus. Some are just scanners, others do the recognition in the device itself.

USB ID Reader Software

0483:2016

UPEK/Thomson thinkfinger or fprint

147e:1000

UPEK TCS4C unsupported ??

147e:1002

UPEK unsupported ??

147e:2016

Upeksonly fprint patches

147e:2020

Upek / Authentec Forum discussion and howto for 32-bit, using non-free drivers Seems to be supported as of 2013-01-15 (Works for Me (TM)). On Ubuntu, use PPA at https://launchpad.net/~fingerprint

08ff:1600

Authentec AES1610 fprint

08ff:2580

Authentec AES2501 fprint

08ff:2810

Authentec 2810 supported by libfprint v0.5.0 onwards, released December 2012

138a:0017

Validity Sensors, Inc. Fingerprint Reader (to test) Driver Patch as use case with T440 or gist sample

Supported by libfprint v0.6.0

138a:0090

Validity Sensors RE work for validity90 fingerprint reader, Ubuntu PPA and AUR package for WIP libfprint driver

Read more about the various models of reader on the libfprint wiki

Also check the Fingerprint-GUI PPA which has a detailed list of supported devices. Be aware this PPA includes non-free software as indicated in the About page of the project.

The UPEK device is supported by thinkfinger. Those devices and Authentec ones are supported by libfprint.

However: The fingerprint reader is an INSECURE device and gives a false sense of security! There has been quite a bit of research by a hacker named Starbug, a member of the Chaos Computer Club, Berlin, Germany. He outlined in two very good talks how to forge each and every available fingerprint sensor available at the cost of a few euros, using materials from your local hardware store, a digicam and a laser printer! Here's some links:

Remember, using fingerprints for authentication is much similar to having a password which is written on anything you touch.

Software support

See How to enable the integrated fingerprint reader.

Models featuring this Technology

USB ID Reader ThinkPad models Software notes

0483:2016

UPEK Touchstrip (model?)

147e:1000

UPEK Touchchip TCS4C

147e:1002

UPEK - TouchStrip Fingerprint Sensor
  • ThinkPad Edge E425

147e:2016

UPEK Touchstrip TCRD4C

147e:2020

Upek TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor

08ff:1600

Authentec AES1610
  • Lenovo V100, V200

08ff:2580

Authentec AES2501
  • Lenovo N100, N200

08ff:2810

Authentec AES2810

138a:0017

Validity Sensors VFS5011

138a:0090

Validity Sensors VFS7500

06cb:00bd

Synaptics Prometheus MIS Touch Fingerprint Reader

Links