Patent Document ID: 4151512
Application ID: 05722244
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method of processing fingerprint patterns which are each characterized by ridge lines forming a contour pattern classifiable into one of a predetermined number of classification types, including the steps of: providing a fingerprint pattern; providing identifying information corresponding to said provided fingerprint; extracting ridge contour data from said provided fingerprint corresponding to said contour pattern; classifying said provided fingerprint pattern into one of said predetermined classification types; and storing said identifying information according to said corresponding classification type; said contour data extracting step including the steps of identifying contour lines in said fingerprint, determining average angle contour values of said identified contour lines for predetermined areas of said fingerprint, and storing said average angle contour values to define said line contour data; and said classifying step including the steps of identifying the occurrence of tri-radii points from said line contour data, and representing three contour lines uniquely associated with each identified tri-radii point.