Ennova announces USB drive with OLED screen / fingerprint scanner
By Donald Melanson 
posted Apr 28th 2009 9:31PM
posted Apr 28th 2009 9:31PM
It's still a little ways from an actual release, but it looks like the folks at Ennova Direct just couldn't help themselves from announcing that they've received a patent for a newfangled biometric USB flash drive that packs a built-in OLED screen. Even better, that OLED screen apparently actually doubles as the fingerprint scanner, which may not add much extra in terms of security, but should be good for at least a few gee whiz moments. The actual patent, however, isn't for that bit of convergence, but for the sliding mechanism that covers the screen when it's closed and pops out the USB connector when it's open. No word on pricing or capacities just yet, but it looks like the first few drives should be available under the ION Technologies brand sometime in the first quarter of 2010.[Via OLED-Display.net]
seems like a nice one to have. I like the security feature.
here's another idea.
put in a DNA microarray and lab on a chip technology. only positive dna hybridization will allow access to the usb meaning it doesn't open unless the dna matches.
then the thing turns green giving you 15 seconds to wash off your cheek cells or blood or sick bodily fluids i'm sure people will attempt to use, or maybe a hair from your head/arm
after that you can open it. the device will be water proof and other solvent proof (acetone and what not) so you can just rinse and go.
this will only be made available to the people in the highest echelon of security. because it will probably cost a crapload and the dna microarray will need to be made just for you
so basically yea a crappy idea :(
unless the tech becomes cheaper :)
Does it come with the gel they use? If so, that gel is fun to play with... i mean examine DNA with.
@ Kitou KID:
WDF?
@ Kitou KID: How hard is it to get someones dna? Thats less secure than a one-char password.
@Kaitou KID, that doesn't stop anything my brother would still use my flash drive.
@Kaitou - use enough Microarrays and you'll know that what you said is bull**** or as the Spanish might say "Kaka de torro". Like it's not even funny it's that bad.
As for this - if it existed today I would be very interested. 2010 is "too far away" for me to care. This stems from a deep-rooted "WANT" and impatience instilled in me by tech blogs (Thanks Engadget!)
P.S. Monster cables suck
this is hot
I like it :) It looks sexy!
if the price is not prohibitive, I'd like to get one
@ Kitou KID:
WDF?
ok seriously. thats cool. now we're getting more sci-fi movie-esque! i like!
Vaporware. Are they trying to show that they're going to put a fingerprint scanner transparently over the top of an OLED screen, with high enough resolution to show you your own finger print after being scanned. Where would the strip scanner go? You can't scan fingerprints with a touch screen. How would they fit much of a battery?
This whole thing just smacks of slick rendering and little substance. How on earth do these companies get patents when their only proof of actually making something is a poorly doodled drawing or obviously fake computer rendering?? It would be like somebody patenting the Dick Tracy watch back in the 1940's. They are patenting stuff they clearly have no way of making, just to stop others from ACTUALLY making the thing work in the future.
I'd like to patent a black box that makes unlimited energy and no pollution. My proof for the pattern will be a shoe box painted black. That way, should anybody actually solve our energy problems, I can SUE THEIR PANTS OFF! Yay for the corrupt patent system!
You make lots of great points, so I will only address one: power. The scanner or whatever could possibly only activate once plugged in to the host device/powered usb port.
"The actual patent, however, isn't for that bit of convergence, but for the sliding mechanism that covers the screen when it's closed and pops out the USB connector when it's open."
RTFA
Presumptuous idiot.. No one wants to see your site in your post...
So why can't I just break the top off and slide the plug out myself? Security seems more for effect then actual security.
@Razloga - Seconded