Region of interest detection for fingerprint classification

This paper discusses the use of neural networks to locate regions of interest (ROIs) for fingerprint classification using feature-encoded fingerprint images. The target areas are those useful for the classification of fingerprints: whorls, loops, arches, and deltas. Our approach is to limit the amount of data which a classification algorithm must consider by determining with high accuracy those areas which are most likely to contain relevant features (effective for classification). Several feature sets were analyzed and successful preliminary results are summarized. Five feature sets were tested: (1) grayscale data, (2) binary ridges, (3) binary projections, and (4 & 5) 4and 8-way directional convolutions. Four-way directional convolution produced accurate results with a minimal number of false alarms. All work was conducted using fingerprint data from NIST Special Database 4. The approach discussed here is also applicable to other general computer vision problems. In addition to fingerprint classification, an example of face recognition is also provided to illustrate the generality of the algorithmic approach.