[fprint] fprint for embedded

[Daniel Drake]

Jono Woodhouse wrote:
> Did I read correctly that the new libusb-1.0 will require one of the 
> latest linux kernels?

That requirement will be dropped soon.

>  From a portability point of view it may be good to offer people the 
> choice to link to both libusb-0.1 or libusb-1.0 (and then having the 
> added functionality).

This won't be realistic, unless someone wants to continue to maintain 
and backport stuff to the libfprint-0.1 branch.

> Did you see any noticeable speed performances too?

Not measured, plus my systems are also a bit fast. However I do now have 
an embedded unit, a MIPS clone with 4mb RAM and integrated UareU 4000B, 
so embedded performance is of possible future interest to me.

> You might find that once libfprint is being included in many of the 
> Linux distros that it will have gained enough momentum, that the drivers 
> being included just follow suit of all the other driver components and 
> remain open. I would imagine that the majority of fingerprint devices 
> manufacturers are making their money from the hardware devices, and not 
> the software drivers.

I don't think this is reality. I've yet to find a friendly vendor and I 
have contacted several.

Thanks,
Daniel