May 18, 2007 -- AuthenTec, a provider of fingerprint authentication sensors and related platforms, announced that its AES2501 fingerprint sensor has been integrated into a USB biometric keyboard family recently introduced by Cherry GmbH, a manufacturer of secure keyboards for professional office and industrial applications.

Cherry's FingerTIP ID Boards G83-14600 and 14700 will incorporate AuthenTec's AES2501 slide fingerprint sensor to enable user authentication and password-free logon to PCs. Security is further enhanced by the incorporation of a CardMan smart card reader in the 14700 series, to enable multi-factor authentication in the USB keyboard family.

The Cherry G83-14600 USB keyboards include the AES2501 fingerprint sensor, while the G83-14700 series incorporate both the sensor and a CardMan 3121-compatible PC/SC smart card reader. The keyboards are available in either 104-key international layout or 105-key European layout with Windows keys. All include a 1.75 meter USB-compatible cable and a two-year warranty.

"Cherry has been a valued long-term AuthenTec customer, and has integrated many of our touch fingerprint sensors into their keyboards. We are delighted that Cherry has chosen our small form factor AES2501 slide sensor to provide biometric security for this very versatile new family of keyboards," comments Marc Gebert, director of European sales and marketing at AuthenTec.

AuthenTec's AES2501 fingerprint sensor is based on the company's patented TruePrint technology, which reads below the surface of the skin to the fingertip's "live layer," where the true fingerprint resides, according to the company. The company says its subsurface technology's extreme accuracy also allows for the creation of sensors that are smaller, cost less, and perform better than many competitive products.