Fingerprint

It is a well-known fact that human fingerprints are unique in nature. Since no two fingerprints are exactly alike, they can be considered as some sort of signature for each individual. The ridges and impressions of one fingerprint to another are compared for identifying a fingerprint.

The process involves possessing a likeness of the fingerprint, from which a digital image is created. The likeness is captured by using a fingerprint scanner (which produces a digitised version of a live fingerprint), scanning from a fingerprint made on a paper, or extracting from a ’latent fingerprint’ (which means fingerprint impression left unintentionally on a surface. It may be visible or invisible at the time of creation).

After such acquisition of a fingerprint, the same is identified by using complex algorithms (mathematical equations), which compare the unique features of that fingerprint with fingerprint images previously stored in a database.

The most popular use of fingerprint recognition technology has been in the field of criminology and forensics. However, in today’s world automated fingerprint matching has a wide range of usages in various security solutions like access to entry gates, registering employee attendance time in enterprises, computer application, networking and bank accounts. Such usage of fingerprints and other human physiological traits like facial recognition, eyeball recognition or DNA recognition falls under Biometric Physiological Characteristics. In the future, Biometric security is expected to remove all kind password access procedures.

Biometric access control software do not match to-be-identified fingerprint pattern against already known fingerprint pattern in a straightforward manner as because of error generation in capturing fingerprints. The error may occur due to wrong placement of finger in the sensor, rough fingers or damaged fingerprints, etc. Instead, this software extracts feature of minutiae points (Local ridge characteristics that occur either at a ridge ending or a ridge bifurcation.) from the captured fingerprint image and then check matching with the specific fingerprint image in the database.

Here it may be mentioned that the iris of the human eye is also very much unique as a fingerprint. An iris texture is complex which makes it a part of biometric identification scenarios. Instead of a fingerprint scanner, a camera is used for scanning the iris, which is then processed by biometric software. There also eye-lock keys available, which are actually safety lock with, laser keys that ’read’ the blood vessels and only provide access when the measurement is correct.

A camera is also used for facial recognition technology. Facial recognition software extract certain unique features from face images and then perform face matching using these features.

There are several Fingerprint access control solutions available in the market for various kind of security check. VeriFinger, from Neurotechnology, developed in 1998 provides powerful fingerprint recognition algorithms. It also provides Face and iris recognition technology.

ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software enables user to easy access to computers using fingerprints. IRIS Corporation, having core expertise in the area of securing government security documents provides fingerprint access control with smart card reader, which not only verifies fingerprint but also verifies their identities against the data contained within their ID cards.

Now-a-days Fingerprint Jewellery made from you or your loved one’s fingerprints is a marvellous creation involving modern scanning technology with the ancient technique of wax casting.