Method for fingerprint indexing and searching
First Claim
1. A method for indexing and searching a plurality of reference fingerprints from a relatively large, selected population of individuals to determine if a sample fingerprint matches one of the reference fingerprints, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining respective index values for the reference fingerprints and the sample fingerprint based upon ridge flow characteristics of the fingerprints wherein the index values are both generally evenly distributed and continuous over the relatively large population of individuals;
sorting the reference index values to define a generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function of the ridge flow fingerprint characteristics of the selected relatively large population of individuals;
selecting a first subset of the reference fingerprints having index values along the generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function within a first range relative to the index value of the sample fingerprint; and
comparing the sample fingerprint to each fingerprint of the first subset of reference fingerprints to thereby determine if there is a match between the sample fingerprint and one of the reference fingerprints and without comparing the sample fingerprint to all of the reference fingerprints.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for indexing and searching a plurality of reference fingerprints to determine if a sample fingerprint matches one of the reference fingerprints includes the steps of: determining respective index values for the reference fingerprints and the sample fingerprint based upon characteristics of the fingerprints and with the index values being generally evenly distributed and continuous over a relatively large population of individuals; selecting a first subset of the reference fingerprints having index values in a first range relative to the index value of the sample fingerprint; and comparing the sample fingerprint to each fingerprint of the first subset of reference fingerprints to thereby determine if there is a match between the sample fingerprint and one of the reference fingerprints and without comparing the sample fingerprint to all of the reference fingerprints. The step of determining index values for the reference fingerprints and the sample fingerprint preferably comprises determining same based upon ridge flow curvature of the fingerprints. The step of selecting the first subset of reference fingerprints preferably comprises selecting same based upon an expected confidence value for locating the sample fingerprint in the first subset. Apparatus aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method for indexing and searching a plurality of reference fingerprints from a relatively large, selected population of individuals to determine if a sample fingerprint matches one of the reference fingerprints, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining respective index values for the reference fingerprints and the sample fingerprint based upon ridge flow characteristics of the fingerprints wherein the index values are both generally evenly distributed and continuous over the relatively large population of individuals; sorting the reference index values to define a generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function of the ridge flow fingerprint characteristics of the selected relatively large population of individuals; selecting a first subset of the reference fingerprints having index values along the generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function within a first range relative to the index value of the sample fingerprint; and comparing the sample fingerprint to each fingerprint of the first subset of reference fingerprints to thereby determine if there is a match between the sample fingerprint and one of the reference fingerprints and without comparing the sample fingerprint to all of the reference fingerprints. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for searching a plurality of reference fingerprints from a relatively large, selected population of individuals to determine if a sample fingerprint matches one of the reference fingerprints, each of the reference fingerprints having associated therewith a curliness index value based upon an aggregate of a rate of change of ridge direction vectors, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a curliness index value for the sample fingerprint based upon an aggregate of a rate of change of ridge direction vectors of the sample fingerprint wherein the index values are both generally evenly distributed over the relatively large population of individuals; sorting the reference index values to define a generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function of the aggregate of a rate of change of ridge direction vectors of fingerprints of the selected relatively large population of individuals; selecting a first subset of the reference fingerprints having curliness index values along the generally even distribution in a first range relative to the curliness index value of the sample fingerprint; and comparing the sample fingerprint to each fingerprint of the first subset of reference fingerprints to thereby determine if there is a match between the sample fingerprint and one of the reference fingerprints. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for indexing and searching a plurality of reference fingerprints from a relatively large, selected population of individuals to determine if a sample fingerprint matches one of the reference fingerprints, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining respective index values for the reference fingerprints and the sample fingerprint based upon at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic wherein the index values are both generally evenly distributed and continuous over the relatively large population of individuals; sorting the reference index values to define a generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function of the at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic of the relatively large population of individuals; selecting a first subset of the reference fingerprints having index values along the generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function in a first range relative to the index value of the sample fingerprint; and comparing the sample fingerprint to each fingerprint of the first subset of reference fingerprints to thereby determine if there is a match between the sample fingerprint and one of the reference fingerprints. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 40)
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32. A method for indexing and searching a plurality of reference fingerprints from a relatively large, selected population of individuals, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining respective index values for the reference fingerprints and a sample fingerprint based upon at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic wherein the index values are both generally evenly distributed and continuous over the relatively large population of individuals; sorting the reference index values to define a generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function of the at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic of the relatively large population of individuals; and selecting for searching a first subset of the reference fingerprints having index values along the generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function in a first range relative to the index value of the sample fingerprint. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for searching a plurality of reference fingerprints from a relatively large, selected population of individuals to determine if a sample fingerprint matches one of the reference fingerprints, each of the reference fingerprints having associated therewith an index value based upon at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic wherein the index values for the reference and sample fingerprints are both generally evenly distributed and continuous over the relatively large population of individuals and wherein the reference index values are sorted to define a generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function of the at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic over the relatively large population of individuals, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining the index value for the sample fingerprint based upon the at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic; selecting a first subset of the reference fingerprints having index values along the generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function in a first range relative to the index value of the sample fingerprint; and comparing the sample fingerprint to each fingerprint of the first subset of reference fingerprints to thereby determine if there is a match between the sample fingerprint and one of the reference fingerprints. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43)
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44. A method for indexing and searching a plurality of reference fingerprints from a relatively large, selected population of individuals to determine if a sample fingerprint matches one of the reference fingerprints, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining respective index values for the reference fingerprints and the sample fingerprint based upon at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic wherein the index values are both generally evenly distributed and continuous over the relatively large population of individuals; sorting the reference index value to define a generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function of the at least one predetermined fingerprint characteristic over the relatively large population of individuals; selecting a first subset of the reference fingerprints having index values along the generally continuous and generally monotonically varying function in a first range relative to the index value of the sample fingerprint and based upon an expected confidence value for locating the sample fingerprint in the first subset of reference fingerprints; and comparing the sample fingerprint to each fingerprint of the first subset of reference fingerprints to thereby determine if there is a match between the sample fingerprint and one of the reference fingerprints. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification