JM,
From my experience, the issue involving biometrics is that it's written in native code ( c, or c++ ). With that said, the combo readers, smart card & fingerprint, don't mix environments. So most combo readers read Windows Powered Smart cards. I've yet to find a biometric company that has a VM implementation. Especially since there isn't a VM for Biometrics.
I'm researching if it would be feasible to open a JSR for Java API for Biometrics. Personally, I think there should be a API for biometrics, but that would involve a lot of work, more than people have available.
JM,
I'd like to update my earlier post and now say that ActivCard partnered with Precise Biometrics to deliver a multi platform solution.
Read the specifications on the ActivCard Gold product.
http://www.activcard.com/activ/products/end_user/activ_card_gold/specifications.html
I am one of the designers at Precise Biometrics and we have successfully implemented MoC, i.e. Match On Card, on a broad range of Java Cards. If you want more information regaring biometrics on a java card, please contact me at: jn@precisebiometrics.com
Best regards,
Jonas Nilsson
Dev Engineer
Precise Biometrics