System and method for controlling a moveable barrier according to fingerprint authentication and a subsequent sensing of a second finger touch

A device for actuating a moveable barrier comprises a fingerprint scanner and is operable by: sensing a human finger on the scanner; analysing the fingerprint to determine whether it matches previously learned authorised users' fingerprints, if the fingerprint is recognised as belonging to an authorised user, actuating the barrier according to a first command; upon sensing a second fingerprint during a predetermined time after recognizing the first fingerprint sending a second command to actuate the barrier without a further analysis step. The first and second command may be open, close or halt movement. The moveable barrier may be a door, gate or shutter. The device may be portable.