Integrated Biometrics Columbo 3.0

Integrated Biometrics Columbo 3.0

Manufacturer: Integrated Biometrics, USA

The Integrated Biometrics Columbo is a compact, professional-grade FAP 30 fingerprint scanner designed to capture high-quality single-fingerprint images. The device holds FBI PIV certification and complies with FIPS 201 and Mobile ID requirements for FAP 30, making it suitable for biometric identification and verification systems that demand certified image quality.

The Columbo was designed primarily for applications where compact size, very low weight, low power consumption, and high identification accuracy are critical. The manufacturer positions it specifically as a solution for automated, unattended user verification, where resistance to biometric spoofing attempts is essential.

The device utilizes Integrated Biometrics' patented LES (Light Emitting Sensor) Active Optical technology. This technology enables the capture of high-quality fingerprint images while maintaining a very small sensor footprint. LES technology allows for operation both indoors and in direct sunlight and is resistant to common finger contaminants such as water, grease, oil, dust, and certain chemicals.

The scanner is designed for high-volume user applications. Key features highlighted by the manufacturer include no need to clean the sensor surface after each scan, very low power consumption, and the absence of consumables such as silicone membranes or cleaning tapes. The Columbo can be used as a standalone scanner or integrated into OEM solutions or biometric terminals. A key feature of the device is its support for Presentation Attack Detection (PAD)—mechanisms designed to detect attempts to present a fake fingerprint. The manufacturer highlights the automatic rejection of common spoofing attempts and the ability to utilize PAD mechanisms via an SDK.

Technical specifications

Device type: Single-fingerprint scanner
Device class: FAP 30
Certification: FBI PIV
PIV certification ID: 071006
Compliance: FIPS 201
Compliance with Mobile ID requirements for FAP 30
Sensor technology: LES Active Optical – Light Emitting Sensor
Sensor camera: CMOS
Resolution: 500 ppi/dpi
Grayscale range: 256 levels
Image size: 400 × 500 pixels
Active sensor area: 20.3 × 25.4 mm
Scanning surface size: 21.5 × 26.6 mm
Supported capture mode: Single flat fingerprint
Minimum capture speed: >10 fps
Supported image format: RAW
Supported image format: JPEG
Supported image format: JPEG2000
Supported image format: BMP
Supported image format: PNG
Supported image format: FBI-approved WSQ
Image quality assessment: NFIQ v1 on all supported systems
NFIQ2 support on Windows
Support for ISO 19794-2:2005/2011 format
Support for ISO 19794-4:2005/2011 format
Support for ANSI/INCITS 378:2004 standard
Support for ANSI/INCITS 381:2004 standard
Multi-device support via API
Multi-threaded application support
Interface Interface: USB 2.0
Power supply: Directly from the host device's USB port
USB supply voltage: 4.4–5.25 V
Required x86/x64 processor: 2.0 GHz or faster
Required ARM processor: 1.0 GHz or faster
Minimum RAM: 512 MB
Weight: 25 g
Dimensions: 39 × 46.5 × 25.7 mm
Operating temperature: -10°C to +55°C
Storage temperature: -40°C to +80°C
Operating humidity: 20–95% RH at temperatures below 40°C, non-condensing
Ingress protection (between bezel and scanning surface): IP65
Surface durability: MIL-C-675C 4.5010 and MIL-STD-810F
Vibration resistance: MIL-STD-810F, Method 514.5, Category 24
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) resistance: IEC 61000-4-2 compliant
Device safety: EN IEC 62368-1:2020+A11:2020
Electromagnetic compatibility: FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class B
CE compliance: EN 55032:2015+A11:2020 Class B and EN 55035:2017+A11:2020
RoHS compliance: Directive 2011/65/EU as amended by 2017/2102
USB certification: USB-IF
Compliance with iBeta ISO 30107-3
TAA compliance for US customers
Declared MTBF: 66 years based on 200 full single-finger registrations per day
Manufacturer connectivity accessories available: USB-C, Micro-B USB, and USB-A

Supported operating systems

Microsoft Windows 11 Desktop
Android 15 or later
Linux Kernel 5.x
Linux Kernel 6.x or later (supported release)
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later
Debian 12 or later

Required software

The IBScanUltimate SDK (Software Development Kit) from Integrated Biometrics is used for scanner communication and for integrating Columbo into the application. This SDK serves as a common development platform for the manufacturer's FBI-certified scanners.

The IBScanUltimate SDK package includes:
drivers required for scanner communication
API (Application Programming Interface)
API documentation
Integrated Biometrics software components
libraries for supported platforms
demo applications
sample source code
fingerprint image acquisition functions
multi-scanner support
multi-threaded application support
image quality assessment functions
Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) mechanisms
tools for integrating the scanner with external identity management and identification systems

The IBScanUltimate SDK is neither a complete identity management system nor a biometric database. It provides the communication and programming layer that enables the use of Columbo within a target application. Practical implementation therefore requires a host application—such as an access control system, user registration system, e-ID solution, KYC system, or custom integrator software utilizing the Integrated Biometrics API.

Applications

The Integrated Biometrics Columbo is designed primarily for systems requiring fast, certified single-fingerprint capture, particularly in solutions utilizing automated user verification.

Typical applications include:

biometric personal identification
fingerprint-based identity verification
automated, unattended user verification
access control systems
biometric enrollment stations
PIV systems
FIPS 201-compliant solutions
e-ID systems
national ID systems
e-Government solutions
KYC (Know Your Customer) systems
user authentication at self-service terminals
biometric kiosks
control terminals
public safety systems
government administration solutions
border control systems
mobile applications requiring certified fingerprint capture
desktop applications
OEM integration
employee identification systems
systems requiring protection against basic spoofing attempts