Application of algebraic topology to fingerprint recognitiony

Abstract

In the present work, an algorithm for ngerprints veri cation based on an application of the algebraic topology is presented. Speci cally, we propose a representation of impressions as simplicial complexes and the de nition of local structures based on local ltrations ordering from the complexes. This ltrations are determined by neighboring minutiae. It is also proposed the extraction of a set of features based on the analysis of the homology variation in these ltrations. The features combine information about the quantity and connectivity of papillary ridges in the local structures. In addition, a matching method based on the extracted topological information is presented. This paper shows that this information is discriminative and can be used in combination with classic geometric features to improve the description of local structures of the impressions and the accuracy in the comparison.

Keywords

• algebraic topology
• homology
• fingerprints
• topology
• verication