BiometricsNIST looks to develop web-based fingerprint scanner

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is currently seeking proposals for a portable web-based biometric fingerprint sensor.

Currently, there are no web-based biometric devices, and NIST hopes to change that with its latest call for proposals.

NIST will provide funding to a developer in the hopes  of creating a fully functional, hand-held device that is capable of scanning fingerprints, and is controlled through a web service. In addition, the device must be tamper-proof, have its own power source, and be able to physically connect to a computer via USB.

In the first phase of the project, applicants must submit engineering plans for the device as well as a partially implemented software stack.

Chosen developers will then be asked to create a device with an integrated single fingerprint sensor in the second phase. As the project moves forward, NIST hopes developers will also be able to expand their product to include multiple finger scanners as well as face and iris readers.

The project comes as part of NIST’s Small Business Innovation Research Initiative which is aimed at promoting private sector innovation to meet federal research needs. In particular, the program encourages socially and economically disadvantaged segments of society to participate.