Global models for the orientation field of fingerprints: an approach based on quadratic differentials.

Full Abstract

Quadratic differentials naturally define analytic orientation fields on planar surfaces. We propose to model orientation fields of fingerprints by specifying quadratic differentials. Models for all fingerprint classes such as arches, loops and whorls are laid out. These models are parametrised by few, geometrically interpretable parameters which are invariant under Euclidean motions. We demonstrate their ability in adapting to given, observed orientation fields, and we compare them to existing models using the fingerprint images of the NIST Special Database 4. We also illustrate that these model allow for extrapolation into unobserved regions. This goes beyond the scope of earlier models for the orientation field as those are restricted to the observed planar fingerprint region. Within the framework of quadratic differentials we are able to verify analytically Penrose's formula for the singularities on a palm. Potential applications of these models are the use of their parameters as indices of large fingerprint databases, as well as the definition of intrinsic coordinates for single fingerprint images.

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Author information

Author/s: Huckemann, Stephan (S); Hotz, Thomas (T); Munk, Axel (A);

Affiliation: Institute for Mathematical Stochastics, Georgia Augusta University Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany. huckeman@math.uni-goettingen.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: IEEE transactions on pattern analysis and machine intelligence (IEEE Trans Pattern Anal Mach Intell), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 30 (issue 9) : pp 1507-19

Dates: Created 2008/07/11; Completed 2008/09/23;

PMID: 18617711, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Algorithms
Artificial Intelligence
Biometry - methods
Computer Simulation
Dermatoglyphics - classification
Fingers - anatomy & histology
Humans

Image Enhancement - methods
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods
Models, Biological
Pattern Recognition, Automated - methods
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Skin - anatomy & histology

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