Patent ID: 6041133
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
In a system wherein at least one fingerprint image is stored in a database, a method for generating and storing data characterizing said fingerprint image, the method comprising the steps of:identifying a plurality of feature points in said fingerprint image, wherein said feature points are derived from singularities in ridge patterns in said fingerprint image;grouping said plurality of feature points into a first plurality of subsets, wherein each subset is associated with a predetermined number K of feature points, wherein K is an integer in the range K>3;for at least one subset of said first plurality of subsets of feature points,generating an entry comprising an identifier that identifies said fingerprint image,generating a key that corresponds to said at least one subset of feature points, wherein said key characterizes said fingerprint image in the vicinity of said at least one subset of feature points wherein said key is based upon at least one of:ridge count data which represents a ridge count between pairs of feature points in said at least one subset of feature points,distance data which represents distance between pairs of feature points in said at least one subset of feature points, andridge angle data which represents local direction of a ridge associated with feature points in said at least one subset of feature points; andstoring said entry in a memory, wherein said key is associated with said entry.