South Korea companies grow the line with more-advanced models while boosting customization capability for a broader market reach.

Technology standardization spurs South Korea manufacturers of fingerprint access control to employ improved identification techniques to meet higher security requirements.

Suppliers such as KJ Tech Co. Ltd turn to a multispectrum process to read inner skin layers for enhanced authentication. The maker has developed a fingerprint recognition algorithm, adopting this in the production of basic to upscale models. As such, it can tailor-make units to suit various requirements for sites with about 2,000 to as many as 50,000 employees. KJ Tech has an in-house development team consisting of two hardware and two software engineers. It obtains components from the US and subcontract fingerprint modules.

TrustOne Global Co. Ltd uses two types of sensing devices to recognize any finger whether with damaged, dusty or dirty skin. “Though we import the authentication sensor, we have a patent for the application of the dual sensors,” said general manager Daniel Shin. In addition, the supplier has products, which integrate light-emitting sensors instead of conventional optical variants to achieve better product performance despite the presence of direct light, injury and contaminants. “By offering both types, we allow our customers to choose one more suitable for their projects," said Shin. TrustOne’s R&D department has four personnel each for software and hardware development.

Chang Shin Infotel Co. Ltd hinges customization efforts on software capability. “For this, we have our own team of 12 hardware and software engineers,” said overseas sales group manager Cho Weon-Chun.

Concurrent with these initiatives, South Korea makers are preparing for the projected shift to iris and face recognition. The former is expected to grow by at least 76 percent by 2016, according to the Korea Internet & Security Agency. Chang Shin Infotel plans to integrate iris recognition in its fingerprint access control systems for enhanced functionality.

TrustOne, meanwhile, will add the face identification feature in three or four years yet as such products are still priced by more than three times that of fingerprint-based varieties. The company also cites technical hurdles in the former, especially in low-light conditions.

Besides building up their upscale categories, suppliers continue to keep entry-level and midrange units in selections as overall market volume is still not big enough. To reach cost-sensitive segments, they offer versions scaled down in terms of features and functions.

TrustOne has models with no camera or Wi-Fi connectivity for smaller setups, which are priced as much as 50 percent lower than features-packed counterparts. The options extend to the LCD and keypad, and card-only systems. Chang Shin Infotel turns out two types, one with capacitive touch panels and the other with large displays to accommodate additional content such as news.

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Product gallery

CS Infotel Co. Ltd
Model: SG-3000
MOQ: 50 units
Price: $500
Description: 4.3in LCD; 2MP camera, video door phone; 500dpi optical sensor; 13.56MHz Mifare/NFC, 125kHz EM; RISC 667MHz CPU; TCP/IP, RS-232/485, USB 2.0, Wiegand; 512MB DRAM, 2GB flash memory, microSD card slot; 130.6x113x30mm

CS Infotel Co. Ltd
Model: SG-7000
MOQ: 50 units
Price: $1,100
Description: 7in LCD; 2MP camera, video door phone; 500dpi optical sensor; wireless key; 13.56MHz Mifare/NFC, 125kHz EM; RISC 667MHz CPU; TCP/IP, RS-232/485, USB 2.0, Wiegand; 512MB DRAM, 2GB flash memory, microSD card slot; 170x200x32mm; CE, FCC, KC

KJ Tech Co. Ltd
Model: KJ-3300
Delivery: 7 days
Description: 2.8in color TFT LCD; touch keypad; 500dpi optical sensor; 125kHz EM/HID, 13.56MHz iClass/SE, Mifare, Felica; 10cm range; 2,000 5,000 10,000 30,000 or 50,000-template capacity, 500,000-transaction buffer; RS-485, Ethernet, Wideband; 320g; IP65 rating; CE, FCC

KJ Tech Co. Ltd
Model: KJ-3500
Description: 2.8 or 4.3in color TFT LCD; 1.3MP camera; touch keypad; 500dpi optical sensor; 125kHz EM/HID, 13.56MHz iClass/SE, Mifare, Felica; 10cm range; 5,000 10,000 30,000, 50,000 or 100,000-template capacity, 1 million-transaction buffer; RS-485, Ethernet, Wideband, Wi-Fi, PoE; 450g; IP65 rating; CE, FCC

TrustOne Global Co. Ltd
Model: TSG 550
MOQ: 1 unit
Delivery: 7 days
Description: 2.8in TFT LCD; 500dpi optical, light-emitting sensors; multispectral imaging; fake fingerprint detection; 256-time zone maximum setup; Wi-Fi, PoE; microSD card slot; firmware-upgradable; CE, FCC

TrustOne Global Co. Ltd
Model: TSG 750
Description: 4.3in touchscreen with GUI; 1.2MP camera; 500dpi optical, light-emitting sensors; multispectral imaging; fake fingerprint detection; IP, Wi-Fi, PoE; microSD card slot; firmware-upgradable; CE, FCC