Abstract: A method and system of transitivity matching suitable for object recognition, and in particular biometric recognition such as face or fingerprint recognition, is provided. The invention provides a means for pre-encoding object match information from each set of raw object sample data or scores from an underlying recognition algorithm. A sample space is constructed and the raw scores are mapped into that space. Preferably, a recognition space is also constructed and the same space scores are further mapped into the recognition space. Each space may be truncated to remove dispensable modes of that space. The distance between object data samples encoded in the sample space or the recognition space can be more rapidly determined, and the encoded data samples are also significantly compressed, compared to the raw scores.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a finger so as to produce a fingerprint image free of artifacts created by moisture on the finger. An optical platen having a surface for receiving the finger to be imaged is illuminated by a light source. A light detector is provided for receiving light from the platen surface which is internally reflected at the surface. A fingerprint image is formed by light which is internally reflected at the regions intermediate the finger ridges and absorbed/dispersed where the ridges contact the surface, The observation angle of the detector is sufficiently large so that moisture on a person's fingers does not affect the light which is internally reflected at the surface and detected. The resultant fingerprint image is free of artifacts attributable to moisture.