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Biometric Authentication Using Pruned Fingerprints

Project Investigators

Dr. Waleed H. Abdulla & Dr. Sing Kiong NguangDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Synopsis

Biometric authentication is an international emerging field withgreat intellectual challenge and commercial potential. This projectwill investigate novel techniques to implement a reliable fingerprintsystem. This system is a member of the family of biometric

authentication methods, which rely on voice, face features, iris,retina, and hand geometry. All biometrics provide an advantageover the use of passwords or PIN numbers alone, in that thepersonal existence is required in activating any operation requiringsecure access. Recently, the motivation for research in this field ismuch stronger because of the increasing needs to reliableauthentication systems and there is a lot at stake. We arerequesting funding for an innovative, self-contained researchinitiative that is outside the normal criteria of the Staff ResearchFund.

The proposal is to develop novel techniques for automatedfingerprint authentication.Two primary functions required in fingerprint processing, these areclassification and matching. We will also develop efficient pruningtechnique, as a pre-processing stage, to remove wrinkles, scars,and excessively worn prints that result in images contain many falseminutia structures. Our pre-processing technique will also tacklenon-ideal characteristics of an individuals finger, such as relativelyoily or dry skin, which lead to cloud like images. We will alsoinvestigate new approaches in classification and matching stages

based on statistical modelling and Neural Networks. Figure 1 depictsthe block diagram of the system.

Pre-processing

& Pruning

Fingerprint

Image

Feature

Extraction

Template

Matching

Memory

Decision Making

Classification &

Matching

Figure 1 General Bock Diagram

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Generally, the classification and matching involve the analysis oflarge numbers of fingerprints acquired by various, not necessarilycompatible means such as lifted latent prints, scanned ink prints, orelectronically captured prints from live scan devices. Theseproblems are the main disadvantages of the fingerprint

authentication systems. In our approach we will develop newapproaches that expected to minimise the effect of these problems.

The key opportunities likely to result from this research are thedevelopment of intellectual property and expertise in the area ofpattern recognition, statistical modelling and image processing. Anoptimistic scenario is that a successful outcome will encourageinterested companies or even the government to invest in it.For these objectives to be met we need a quality postgraduatestudent to devote himself to the project for 12 months. The

department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering will provide someof the necessary equipment.

The proposal is a union of the pattern recognition and statisticalmodelling work of Dr. Waleed Abdulla and the image processingwork of Dr. Sing Kiong Nguang.

As a conclusion

We propose developing innovative technique in fingerprintsrecognition. This project will definitely attract people working in law

enforcement and security departments. The outcome of this project will perform the core negotiation

base to attract external funds from the government andinterested companies.

This project supports the priority of attracting high qualitypostgraduate students to the university.

This project will very well fit with the outcomes of otherresearch activities in the school in image processing.