A new fingerprint ridges frequency determination method

Abstract

In many cases the average fingerprint ridge frequency in the whole fingerprint image should be determined. This parameter is, among other things, very important in procedures, where so-called fingerprint reference point has to be located. Unfortunately, as far, ridges frequency has been determined a priori, on the basis of anthropological measurements of the human population. This parameter is established as 10 pixels, regardless of captured fingerprint image resolution. Until now it is assumed, that this resolution is equal to 500 dpi. In practice, scanners obviously work with different resolution. This point of view has been revised and a new method of fingerprint ridge frequency measurement was introduced. This method allows to precisely calculate fingerprint ridges frequency - individually for any fingerprint image. The new approach allows determining more precisely, among other things, so-called fingerprint reference point, which is an important element of fingerprint recognition procedures. © IEICE 2009.