The smart card has an embedded microprocessor 2 that is coupled to a combined scanner controller 5 that interprets the data from a scanning stage 6 that responds to a fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor pad is in the form of a matrix of capacitive single sensors. The card also has a magnetic data strip 3 and an area for embossed information 4. The power for the card is provided by an embedded solar cell 7. A light sensor (s) is activated by the finger being taken from the scan surface so signalling to the scanner controller that the read data are valid.
