SecuGen Unity 20 Bluetooth Fingerprint Scanner

SecuGen Unity 20 Bluetooth Fingerprint Scanner (HU20-ASF-BT)

The SecuGen Unity 20 Bluetooth is a standalone, wireless fingerprint reader built for mobile and desktop identity verification. Unlike cabled USB scanners, the Unity 20 Bluetooth transfers fingerprint data over Bluetooth to smartphones, tablets, or Bluetooth-enabled computers. Since it runs on a rechargeable internal battery rather than a wired power source, it fits enrollment scenarios where cables or OTG adapters aren’t practical, such as field registration or door-to-door verification.

Wireless Connectivity and Power

The Unity 20 Bluetooth communicates over Bluetooth V4.2 (HS) with Low Energy (BLE) support, connecting to mobile devices through a UART host interface running at speeds up to 4 Mbps. Consequently, it pairs with Android and Apple iOS devices without needing a physical cable connection. Power comes from an internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at 1000mAh, which charges through a micro USB cable. Because the reader is battery-powered, technicians can carry it between enrollment sites without needing access to a nearby power outlet.

Sensor and Capture Performance

At the core of the Unity 20 Bluetooth is SecuGen’s rugged optical fingerprint sensor, which captures images at 500 DPI resolution with an image size of 300 x 400 pixels. Smart Capture technology adjusts scanning parameters automatically for difficult fingers, including dry, wet, or scarred skin, and for challenging lighting such as direct sunlight. As a result, capture speed stays fast even under non-ideal conditions, ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 seconds per scan. The device is also rotationally independent, meaning it captures fingerprints correctly whether the scanner faces the user or is turned toward someone else.

Developer Tools and Programmability

SecuGen designed the Unity 20 Bluetooth with system integrators in mind. It ships with a pre-installed Fingerprint Management System (FMS), which exposes a simple API supporting C/C++, .NET, Python, and Java. Beyond the out-of-box API, developers can reprogram the device directly using its built-in Linux development environment, a 1 GHz onboard CPU, MINEX-compliant fingerprint algorithms, and OpenSSL cryptography libraries. This level of onboard processing means fingerprint templates can be captured, matched, and stored on the device itself, without relying on a connected host for every operation.

Security and Template Handling

The Unity 20 Bluetooth supports fingerprint template encryption using SecuGen’s proprietary format, along with latent print rejection to prevent prior fingerprints left on the sensor from being read as a live scan. It also carries FBI certification for FIPS 201 (PIV) and Mobile ID FAP 20 compliance, meeting the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) Image Quality Specifications. For applications needing local matching, the device stores up to 700 users (1400 templates) and supports both 1:1 verification and 1:N identification modes.

Best Suited For

• Field enrollment teams: a rechargeable 1000mAh battery and Bluetooth connectivity remove the need for cables or power outlets during mobile registration drives.
• Mobile-first identity applications: Bluetooth V4.2 (HS) with BLE support connects directly to Android and iOS devices, making the scanner a natural fit for tablet- or smartphone-based enrollment apps.
• Developers building custom fingerprint software: the FMS API in C/C++, .NET, Python, and Java, combined with a 1 GHz onboard CPU and Linux development environment, reduces integration time for custom biometric platforms.
• Government and PIV-compliant projects: FBI FIPS 201 and Mobile ID FAP 20 certification make the Unity 20 Bluetooth suitable for programs that require certified capture hardware.
• Small-to-mid-size deployments needing local matching: onboard storage for up to 700 users (1400 templates) supports 1:1 and 1:N matching without constant reliance on a host system.