Optical and smart card identification reader

A biometric authentication device for use with a data card such as an optical card, a memory chip card, or a smart card. The biometric device includes a fingerprint module having a fingerprint sensor for capturing a user's fingerprint placed onto the fingerprint sensor. The biometric device includes a portion adapted to receive and read a card containing optical or electronic fingerprint information. The biometric device includes processing capabilities to determine a match between data from the user's fingerprint captured from the fingerprint sensor and the electronic fingerprint data stored on the optical or smart card. Determination of the match between the captured fingerprint data and the electronic fingerprint data enables biometric verification of identification of the end user. The biometric device is useful in time and attendance, access and control, as well as user identification and verification applications. Programmable software used with the biometric device permits application specific biometric solutions to be developed.