The inventive concept relates to a portable biometric authentication device and a terminal device. More particularly, the inventive concept relates to a portable biometric authentication device and a terminal device capable of communicating using near field communication (NFC).
Electronic devices may require personal authentication in order to provide functions such as making payment, using a banking service, controlling physical entry, etc. Personal authentication requires high degree of accuracy and security, and various forms of biometric authentication have been used to provide personal authentication. Biometric authentication is usually based on one or more types of biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint, an iris, a finger vein, voice, etc.) provided by a user.
Biometric authentication is very convenient, since it frees the user for such requirements as carrying various card(s) and key(s) or memorizing passwords. In addition, biometric information is difficult to counterfeit or falsify, thereby making biometric authentication highly secure. Different forms of biometric information may be readily acquired using one or more biometric sensor(s) provided by an electronic device, such as a mobile phone. However, many electronic devices either do not include biometric sensor(s) or are not physically, commercially and/or functionally susceptible to the incorporation of biometric sensor(s). Such electronic devices are not able to provide biometric authentication.