Fingerprint Scanner Homework: Finding Points to Identify Fingerprints

[Moejoe666]

Homework Statement

I am currently working on making a fingerprint scanner, by using frustrated total internal reflection of an infrared LED, with an image taken with a webcam. This setup is fully working and gives a reasonably sharp image.. however now i need to try to make a small program to find one or two points on this image to identify a fingerprint from say a choice of five. Obviously the more points, the more accurate but due to time constraints i am only looking to find one or two to show the concept.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Originally my first thought was to use mathematica to code some pattern recognition, but i have very limited knowledge on the program. Thought of possibly treating the fingerprint as a maze and trying to solve it but i cannot see that working. I'm not asking someone to write it for me, i just have no idea in which direction i should be looking, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

 

[story645]

If you're willing to forgo mathematica, I'd suggest using some language with http://opencv.willowgarage.com/wiki/ bindings, as it's one of the best known/most widely used libraries in computer vision.

Google even pulls up somebody doing just that fingerprints & openCV

 

[Moejoe666]

Hey story645,

Thank you very much for the reply, I've never heard of openCV but that link you supplied was extremely helpful exactly what we were trying to do, however having seen that project and any others i could find it became clear how complex it can be. We decided just to stick to the physics side of the experiment and try to improve our scanner. Still have to make a presentation on how you are supposed to produce an algorithm etc for the identification though so again, many thanks for the reply, it will be very useful :) .

Kind Regards,

 

[natkhat]

guys can u help me out regarding fingerprint scanner? can u tell me what are the components required to make fingerprint scanner? can u suggest me the requirements ?

 

[rezeew]

I would first like to commend you on your progress in creating a working fingerprint scanner using frustrated total internal reflection and a webcam. It is a complex and innovative approach.

In terms of finding points to identify fingerprints, there are a few different approaches you could take. One option would be to use image processing techniques to isolate and analyze the unique features of a fingerprint, such as ridge endings and bifurcations. This could potentially provide a reliable way to identify specific points on the fingerprint.

Another approach could be to use machine learning algorithms to train a computer to recognize and identify fingerprint patterns. This would involve feeding the computer a large dataset of fingerprint images and teaching it to identify the unique characteristics of each one.

I understand that you are limited by time constraints, so my suggestion would be to do some research on image processing and machine learning techniques and see if you can find a pre-existing program or code that you could adapt for your project. Alternatively, you could reach out to colleagues or experts in the field for guidance and advice.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck with your project and I am confident that with your determination and ingenuity, you will find a solution to identify points on a fingerprint image.