Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distinguishing a latent fingerprint is provided to prevent a fingerprint recognition apparatus from mis-recognizing a latent fingerprint as a fingerprint of a biomass due to a fingerprint residual on an imaging surface of an optical fingerprint input apparatus. According to the present invention, there is provided a backlight control device for controlling switching on and off of the backlight; an image acquisition device for acquiring a fingerprint image without illuminating the backlight onto the imaging surface; a fingerprint detection device for detecting the existence of a fingerprint from the image acquired by the image acquisition device; and a device for determining that the fingerprint, if detected by the fingerprint detection device, is a latent fingerprint detected due to an external light.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for discriminating a latent fingerprint that can prevent a fingerprint recognition apparatus from mis-recognizing a latent fingerprint as a fingerprint of a biomass due to a fingerprint residual on an imaging surface of an optical fingerprint input apparatus. According to the present invention. there is provided backlight control means for controlling switching on and off of the backlight; image acquisition means for acquiring a fingerprint image without illuminating the backlight onto the imaging surface: fingerprint detection means for detecting an existence of a fingerprint from the image acquired by the image acquisition means; and fingerprint discriminating means for discriminating that the fingerprint if detected by the fingerprint detection means, is a latent fingerprint detected due to an external light.