×

System and method for transforming fingerprints to improve recognition

  • US 6,466,686 B2
  • Filed: 01/07/1998
  • Issued: 10/15/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A computer implemented method for estimating distortion present in a fingerprint, said distortion being variation in a fingerprint image due to elastic deformation of the finger surface and projection onto a planar coordinate system, comprising the steps of:

  • converting an input image of a fingerprint into a representation of locations of fingerprint ridges or valleys;

    estimating distances between ridges or valleys locally throughout at least a selected portion of the representation;

    combining the estimates of the distances to generate an estimated average spacing of ridges or valleys of the fingerprint; and

    combining the average ridge spacing estimate with one or more of the local ridge spacing estimates to derive a measure of the elastic distortion of the fingerprint at one or more points on the fingerprint, wherein said measure is used to reduce said distortion of said fingerprint.

View all claims
  • 5 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×