Integrated Biometrics Columbo Desktop is an incredibly small, exceptionally lightweight and highly accurate FBI PIV Certified FAP 30 single fingerprint scanner. It is suitable for mobile applications where compactness is a prime requirement. Integrated Biometric Columbo is available in two versions: Desktop and OEM module.
Integrated Biometrics Columbo
Integrated Biometrics Columbo is an FBI Appendix F, FIPS 201 (PIV) certified and FBI Mobile ID (FAP 30) certified single fingerprint scanner. It comes equipped with IB’s LES technology to offer unparalleled accuracy and security.
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Description
Integrated Biometric Columbo Desktop, as the name suggests, is a desktop fingerprint scanner. Columbo OEM Module, on the other hand, is a fingerprint module for enabling fingerprint security in third party products. It features a wide sensing area, in which even the largest fingers can accommodate easily.
Integrated Biometrics fingerprint scanners offer a great value and premium features with a reasonable price tag. Columbo, with is highly competitive price tag becomes an irresistible choice for identification and authentication applications that require an FBI certified single fingerprint scanner.
Compact and lightweight desktop fingerprint reader
Everything else may seem too big in front of Columbo’s compactness. Integrated Biometrics Columbo is the world’s smallest and lightest FBI certified scanner that produces the highest quality fingerprint images making it truly a little master in the segment.
The implausible compactness of this desktop fingerprint reader is achieved by carefully chosen component used in manufacturing. Instead of using bulky prism based optical sensor, Integrated Biometric Columbo Desktop uses an LES film based sensor technology. It enables Columbo to capture high quality fingerprint images without compromising on the compactness.
LES (Light-emitting Sensor) film technology
Columbo’s LES film based sensor technology outperforms traditional prism based optical sensors hands down. Other than offering unparalleled compactness and lightweight form factor, LES makes it possible to eliminate many other shortcomings associated with prism based optical sensors.
LES technology based sensor is constructed by coupling an LES film with a CMOS camera. LES film contains a layer of luminescent phosphor micro particles. These phosphorous micro particles are dispersed across the layer.
When a finger is placed on the sensor surface, a low level electric circuit is completed in LES film that causes phosphorous micro particles to illuminate. This illumination takes place exactly as the ridge structure of the finger as phosphorus micro particles are incredibly smaller (13-32μm) than the width of a friction ridge.
A CMOS camera is setup below the LES film that captures the illuminated fingerprint. This image is provided for the further processing to the fingerprint recognition subsystems.
Hardware based anti-spoofing and liveness detection mechanism
Using LES technology based sensor automatically equips Columbo with anti-spoofing and liveness detection. The good thing with LES technology is that the LES film only responds to the human finger as it requires the capacitance of living human skin to complete the low level circuit between layers. Completion of the circuit causes phosphorous micro particles to illuminate underneath the friction ridges.
Phosphorous micro particles found in the LES film are way smaller than the width of friction ridges, that is how highly localized illumination is made possible by the LES film.
Since LES film only responds to living human skin as it requires the skin capacitance, it would not respond to fake fingerprints made out of different material such as glue, rubber, silicone, etc. It enables Integrated Biometric Columbo Desktop as well as OEM modules to offer anti-spoofing capabilities with liveness detection.
Immune to latent and leftover prints
On the other hand, LES technology based fingerprint sensors works on the “physical contact” made by the friction ridges of human finger. This physical contact of friction ridges enables the LES film to illuminate the fingerprint pattern and the system to capture it no matter even if it is visibly contaminated or stained.
Traditional optical sensors also face a hard time processing a fingerprint image if it has imperfections such as oil, sweat, of just a stain, even if the ridge structure is in perfect condition. This is because traditional prism based optical sensors work on the basis of digital image of visible features. The underlying algorithm is designed to work on what is visible. If there is an ink-stain on your finger, it will hinder the ability of the recognition systems to extract fingerprint features.
Prism based optical sensors capture what they “see” on the sensor surface. When there are latent prints, they capture them as well during a finger scan. Latent and leftover prints may confuse the recognition system as they take leftover prints as real ones, which results in performance related issues.
Unlike prism based optical sensors, which works by capturing the digital image of fingerprint using total internal reflection of prism, LES technology based sensors leverages an entirely different approach. Instead of capturing what is visible, LES film sensor first illuminates the fingerprint structure and then captures it with a CMOS camera. It enables Integrated Biometrics Columbo to overcome a common problem with traditional optical scanners: latent and leftover prints.
Highly versatile single fingerprint scanner
LES technology can not only capture fingerprints from dry, dirty or wet fingers, but also produce higher quality fingerprint images than its optical or silicon counterparts. Integrated Biometrics’ fingerprint technology is specifically designed for mobility markets to collect high quality, standards based, “certified” fingerprints for large scale identification or authentication needs such as Military, National ID, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Immigration and Border Patrol applications.
Columbo is the world’s smallest, fastest and lightest FBI PIV FAP 30 certified single fingerprint scanner. Do not let its compactness fool you. Despite being small, Columbo produces high quality fingerprint images, thanks to its patented LES technology, which can extract fingerprint features even from dry, wet and even dirty fingers.
Highly durable and rugged
It can not only survive extreme temperature, but also comes with ingress protection against water/dust thanks to its design confirming with IP67 rated ingress protection.
IB Columbo is an extremely rugged single fingerprint scanner and can withstand the toughest operating environments with minimal maintenance. Columbo can endure extreme environmental conditions, which may be a usual scenario in law enforcement and military applications.
Features
- FBI Appendix F, FIPS 201 (PIV) certified and FBI Mobile ID (FAP 30) certified single fingerprint scanner.
- Highly compact, lightweight and portable USB fingerprint scanner.
- IB’s patented LES technology ensures consistent performance and security.
- Equipped with hardware based liveness detection, thanks to the LES technology.
- Comprehensive software development kit eases integration process with third party applications.
- Can scan dry, contaminated, stained fingers without compromising on image quality and performance.
- Immune to latent and leftover prints, no need to clean the platen after each use.
- Durable and rugged. Complies with US military durability standards.
- IP65 rated ingress protection.
Perfect FBI Certified Fingerprint Scanner for You!

CERTIFIED
IB Columbo is an FBI PIV 071006, FIPS 201 and FAP 30 (Mobile ID) certified single finger scanner. It means that it can be used for high security mobile applications backed by the FBI. It is highly resistant to environmental challenges due to its IP65rated dust and water ingress protection, making it a suitable candidate for FBI mobile applications.
ACCURATE
Patented LES technology based fingerprint sensor ensures highly precise fingerprint image capture. High precision fingerprint images result in superior performance and lesser number of undesirable incidents such as false rejections and false acceptances.
EASY INTEGRATION
It is extremely easy to integrate Columbo with third party applications, thanks to the highly efficient SDK provided by Integrated Biometrics. Integrated Biometrics Columbo is also available in OEM version, which can be integrated with third party products as well. Its compact size makes it a highly suitable candidate for FBI applications.
LES TECHNOLOGY
Unlike traditional optics and silicon fingerprint technologies, IB’s alternative approach to the fingerprint extraction technology makes it stand apart. LES (Light Emitting Sensor) is a patented technology developed and manufactured by Integrated Biometrics to overcome the inadequacies other traditional techniques suffer with.
COMPACT
Integrated Biometric Columbo Desktop weighs just 170 grams / 6.00 oz, while its OEM module weights less than 70 grams. Both the products give competitors hard time to fit these many features in such a compact and lightweight form factor.
MAINTENANCE FREE
Unlike optical scanners, which are prone to noise with latent prints on their scanning surface, LES technology entirely eliminates the need of cleaning the scanning surface, saving time and efforts in high volume back to back scanning scenarios.
Technical Specifications
OS Support | Android 10, 11, 12; Windows Desktop Editions 7, 8, 10, 11; Linux Kernel 4.0 or newer (32/64 bit, ARMv6, ARMv7); Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04 or newer; Debian 10, 11, or newer |
CPU | x86 and x64 | 2.0GHz or higher ARM | 1.0 GHz or higher |
Memory | 512MB or higher |
Sensor Type | LES |
Camera | CMOS |
Resolution | 500 ppi |
Grayscale | 256 grayscale dynamic range |
Image Size | 400 x 500 pixels |
Supported Image Formats | RAW, JPEG2000, BMP, PNG, WSQ (FBI-approved) |
Encryption | N/A |
FBI / Image Certifications | PIV 071006, FIPS 201, FAP 30 / Certified to Mobile ID Requirements |
Speed | Min frame rate > 10fps, slaps and rolls |
API Interface | Capture single finger, multi-device / multi-thread support |
Quality Scoring | NFIQ v1 supported on all OSes and NFIQ2 for Windows |
Product Weight | < 41 grams (not including cable or bracket) – 2.0; < 170 grams / 0.40 lbs (not including cable) – Desktop |
Platen Size | 20.32 mm x 25.4 mm / 0.8” x 1.0” – 2.0; 20.32 mm x 25.4 mm / 0.8” x 1.0” – Desktop |
Sensing Area | 20.32 mm x 25.4 mm / 0.8” x 1.0” – 2.0; 20.32 mm x 25.4 mm / 0.8” x 1.0” – Desktop |
Scanner Assembly Dimensions | 46.5 mm x 39 mm x 25.7 mm / 1.8″ x 1.5” x 1.0” – 2.0; 77.5 mm x 65.9 mm x 49.6 mm / 3.05″ x 2.59” x 1.95” – Desktop |
Interface | USB 2.0 |
Power Source | USB Host |
USB Voltage Level | 4.4V to 5.25V |
USB Certification | USB-IF USB.ORG |
FCC / CE Conformance | FCC Part 15 (per ANSI C62.4:2003) Class A, CSA ICES-003; Class A, CE Emissions: EN55022:2006 Class A, CE Immunity; EN 55024:1998/A1:2001/A2:2003, IEC61000-4-2 |
Air Discharge / Contact Discharge | In compliance with IEC 61000-4-2 |
Equipment Safety | IEC 60950-1 |
Hazardous Material | RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC |
Vibration Test | Per Mil-STD-810F (Method 514.5), Category 24, Flg.514.5C-17 |
Operating Temperature | -10°C ~ +55°C / 14°F ~ 131°F |
Humidity | 30~85% RH < 40°C / 104°F (Non-condensing) |
Storage Temperature | -40°C ~ +80°C / -40°F ~ 176°F |
Ingress Protection / Water / Dust | IP65 Sealed bezel to scanning surface |
Surface Durability | MIL-C-675c 4.5010, MIL-STD-810F |
Cleaning & Sanitization | For proper cleaning and disinfection, visit https://www.bayometric.com/how-to-clean-your-fingerprint-scanner-device/ |
Mean-Time Between Failures (MTBF) | Based on 200 full single-finger enrollments per day, the Columbo MTBF is 66 years. |
Benefits
- Integrated Biometrics is a one of the leading global provider of fingerprint sensors serving a wide variety of industries and customers.
- IB’s end-to-end biometric solutions have earned it a reputation for high quality products.
- More than 9 years of experience of wide variety of biometric products around the globe.
- Integrated Biometrics follows a stringent manufacturing and quality control process to ensure that each product is manufactured and tested using the industry’s best practices.
- Patented LES film technology makes IB products stand apart.
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Supported Software
Fingerprint SDK
Zero learning curve for developers. No biometric programming experience required. Get access to sample codes in multiple languages including C/C++, C#.NET, Java etc.
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