Abstract: A system for generating data characteristic of a rolled skinprint in real time. A body part such as a finger contacts a receiving surface of an optical device. The receiving surface is imaged and recorded on an image recording medium during the period of contact. The resulting record is then used to generate digital data representative of the image of the skinprint. This is especially useful for recording a rolled fingerprint image taken on a flat receiving surface.

Abstract: A method for generating data characteristic of a rolled fingerprint image in real time. A finger is continuously rolled across a finger receiving surface of an optical device. The finger receiving surface is imaged to generate digital data representative of fingerprint images propagated therefrom. A first array of data characteristic of a fingerprint image of a first finger slice is stored, and merged into a composite array. After the first array is merged into the composite array, a second array of data characteristic of a second finger slice which is adjacent to and overlaps the first finger slice is stored. The second array is then merged into the composite array by storing data in the composite array as a function of a comparison and an average of data in the composite array and second array which are characteristic of overlapping portions of the finger slices.

Abstract: Methods for operating a programmable digital computer to enhance images of fingerprints represented by an array of pixel values. Methods for noise averaging, illumination equalizing, directional filtering, unhairing, curvature correcting, and scale correcting a fingerprint image are disclosed.