An electronic face-identification device, which performs face scanning with ultrasonic waves, includes a housing and an ultrasound device disposed within the housing. The ultrasound device may be configured to transmit ultrasonic waves through air to a face and scan the face with the ultrasonic waves, to receive reflected waves through the air corresponding to reflections of the ultrasonic waves from the face, and to perform a recognition process for the face based on reflections of the ultrasonic waves from the face. The ultrasound device may include a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and electronic circuitry configured to transmit signals to the ultrasound transducers and receive signals from the ultrasound transducers. The face-identification device may be incorporated into various electronic equipment, such as hand-held equipment in the form of smartphones and tablet computers, as well as in larger scale installations at airports, workplace entryways, and the like.