The Mermaid has technical features which absolutely distinguish it apart from other access control devices. Ultimately, they all lend additional security to this remarkable device.

The lock may operate via fingerprint, pin and fingerprint, password or manual hard key. It is easy to switch between normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC) modes of locking.

Biometric and Data Operations

At the heart of the Mermaid is the biometric scanning and fingerprint recognition electronics. The fingerprint collection process is quick and secure. Enrolments and Verifications of finger data take less than a second.

The Mermaid scans data at a high resolution (500dpi) and strong biometric security algorithms ensure a great accuracy in the biometric data coding and analysis. The FRR (false rejection rate) is only 1 in 100,000 or (0.001%). The FRR or False Acceptance Rate (which is more critical for security purposes) is just one instance in ten million, or 0.00001%. Compare our accuracy with other devices: you will find that we excel. The higher spectral frequency of the blue light used in The Mermaid is optimal for operation in strong exterior light sources.

An auto-delete function protects user biometric data as well as enhancing administration security, and the auto-delete interval can be specified. Users can be individually deleted. Information stored within the device can include user name or relevant ASCII information, if the administrative operator so wishes. Enquiries to the internal database can be made via name, date, record number or sequentially.

Catering to flexible usage patterns, Mermaid users can be placed into three categories: as Masters, Normal Users or Guests.

At 900 fingerprints and 300 users, the Mermaid has one of the largest fingerprint / user capacities available in a biometric locking device. This, along with network control, makes it very suitable for hospitality, corporate and government applications. Only two scan impressions of a fingerprint are required before the fingerprint is secured data, ready for use.

The optical sensor bed for scanning is highly abrasion resistant. 

Deliberate manipulative or unauthorised input will be met by an automatic system lockdown for two minutes, discouraging vandalism and tampering, and rendering attempts at unauthorised access extremely futile. Protection functions for administrative areas of the menus are also employed, requiring fingerprint input to access the areas, and the same protective shutdown feature.

Device (DC) Power

In this aspect too, The Mermaid is highly versatile.

• There is a low battery alert function and a power bar visible in the LCD screen display.
• A menu item in the Mermaid reports on the actualy voltage acquired from the battery set.
  
• The Mermaid can be run from a DC power line as well as from internal batteries.
  
• Battery use is frugal, with a static consumption of only 12 ua (microampere).
  
• Dynamic consumption is between 10 and 300 ma (milliampere).
  
• The Mermaid has the unusual characteristic of being able to sustain operability even when only 3.3 volts is being delivered from the battery power supply. (Typically units running on 4 x AA 1.5 V batteries require 5 to 6 volts in order to operate.)
  
• In addition to these features, The Mermaid can also be directly run on a continuous hardwired DC power supply, eliminating battery concerns (except as a backup in the event of mains failure).
• In the unlikely event of complete loss of power, a remote battery pack (supplied) can power the lock through an input jack.
  
• Lastly, it is easy to change batteries; all it takes is about 30 seconds and a screwdriver.

Device Control 

The LCD display screen is clear and friendly, and has a pleasant blue backlit illumination. It has multiple language display capabilities on its information display screen. 32 voice chord audio accompanies the lock operations.

Who wants a biometric device that you can only operate with the user manual in the other hand? The Mermaid's operating system (OS) is designed to be clear and intuitive. It is easy to learn, and significantly reduces the "learning curve" compared to other biometric devices with limited display screens, input keys, and poor menus.

Read more in The Mermaid: Ease of Use.

The Mermaid lock system represents brawn, beauty as well as brains. It weighs in at over four kilograms, and has a thick, heavy and sturdy cast zinc alloy outer, nanotech coated for resilience and beauty. The mortice and latch mechanism is high quality steel and the stainless steel bolt is designed for years of service.

Read more about the many Physically Protective Aspects of The Mermaid Biometric Access Device.