Abstract: Processing a fingerprint can include determining one or more optimal weights based on ridge flow angles or ridge flow angle differences. Determination of the optimal weight(s) can be based on predicting a ridge flow angle for each cell in a ridge flow map using one or more neighboring cells. The optimal weights may be estimated so as to minimize error between the predicted and actual ridge flow angles. Alternatively, the optimal weight(s) may be determined using a predicted ridge flow angle difference for each cell in a difference map that is based on an actual ridge flow angle difference for one or more neighboring cells. The optimal weights can be estimated to minimize the error between predicted and actual angle differences. Additionally, a correlation penalty may be determined based on an extent of spatial correlation in the ridge flow angle differences in the difference map.

Abstract: A finger biometric sensor may include an array of finger biometric sensing pixels, and processing circuitry coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. The processing circuitry may be capable of collecting initial enrollment finger biometric data sets and generating an initial enrollment criteria based thereon, collecting at least one additional enrollment finger biometric data set, and adapting the initial enrollment criteria based thereon to define an additional enrollment criteria. The processing circuitry may also be capable of flagging the initial enrollment finger data sets and the at least one additional enrollment finger data set as sufficient if the additional enrollment criteria meets an acceptance condition, and collecting further enrollment finger biometric data and adapting the additional enrollment criteria if the additional enrollment criteria fails to meet the acceptance condition.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor and a processor cooperating with the finger biometric sensor. The processor may be capable of determining enrollment finger ridge flow angles over an enrollment area for an enrolled finger, and determining match finger ridge flow angles over a match area for a to-be matched finger. The processor may also be capable of determining at least one likely match sub-area of the enrollment area by dividing the enrollment area into a plurality of regions and determining a respective enrollment ridge flow histogram for each region of the enrollment area, and determining whether the to-be matched finger matches the enrolled finger based upon the at least one likely match sub-area.

Abstract: A template of a biometric attribute for use with a biometric recognition device includes a long term component and a short term component. The long term component can include a plurality of nodes that each represents at least a portion of the biometric attribute. The short term component may include one or more newly captured nodes that each represents at least a portion of the biometric attribute.

Abstract: A finger sensing device may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and image watermark circuitry on the IC substrate and cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for generating finger image data with an image watermark embedded therein. The finger sensing apparatus may also include match circuitry on the IC substrate for performing finger matching based at least upon the image watermark. The array of finger sensing elements may include an array of finger sensing pixels. The image watermark circuitry may distort values from the array of finger sensing pixels to generate the finger image data with the image watermark embedded therein. The watermark circuitry may distort position values from the array of finger sensing pixels.

Abstract: A finger biometric sensor may include an array of finger biometric sensing pixels, and processing circuitry coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. The processing circuitry may be capable of collecting initial enrollment finger biometric data sets and generating an initial enrollment criteria based thereon, collecting at least one additional enrollment finger biometric data set, and adapting the initial enrollment criteria based thereon to define an additional enrollment criteria. The processing circuitry may also be capable of flagging the initial enrollment finger data sets and the at least one additional enrollment finger data set as sufficient if the additional enrollment criteria meets an acceptance condition, and collecting further enrollment finger biometric data and adapting the additional enrollment criteria if the additional enrollment criteria fails to meet the acceptance condition.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a processing device operatively connected to a biometric sensing device. The biometric sensing device may capture a biometric image each time a user interacts with the electronic device. When the user enters user identification data (UID) and a biometric image was recently captured, the biometric image is tagged with the UID. The user can access the electronic device and/or an application being accessed on the electronic device when a subsequently captured biometric image matches a tagged biometric image or an untagged biometric image that is assigned to a cluster that includes a tagged biometric image.

Abstract: A finger biometric sensor may include an array of finger biometric sensing pixels, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be capable of acquiring finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels and generating image data from the finger biometric data. The image data may be generated based upon at least a finger sliding motion when a finger is slid adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels, and a finger static positioning when the finger is statically positioned adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. The processing circuitry may also be capable of determining a match between the image data and enrolled image data.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor and a processor cooperating with the finger biometric sensor. The processor may be capable of determining enrollment finger ridge flow angles over an enrollment area for an enrolled finger, and determining match finger ridge flow angles over a match area for a to-be matched finger. The processor may also be capable of determining at least one likely match sub-area of the enrollment area by dividing the enrollment area into a plurality of regions and determining a respective enrollment ridge flow histogram for each region of the enrollment area, and determining whether the to-be matched finger matches the enrolled finger based upon the at least one likely match sub-area.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a finger-operated input device, and a finger sensor carried by the finger-operated input device to sense a user's finger. The electronic device may further include a processor to perform applications and perform at least one device function responsive to an operation of the finger-operated input device. The processor may acquire finger-matching biometric data of the user's finger responsive to each operation of the finger-operated input device. The processor may further authenticate the user based upon an authentication request from one of the applications. The authentication may be based upon a match of most recently acquired finger-matching biometric data and finger-enrollment biometric data.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a finger-operated input device, and a finger sensor carried by the finger-operated input device to sense a user's finger. The electronic device may also include a processor to perform at least one device function responsive to operation of the finger-operated input device. The processor may also acquire finger-enrollment biometric data of the user's finger from the finger sensor responsive to each of multiple operations of the finger-operated input device. The processor may further acquire finger-matching biometric data of the user's finger from the finger sensor responsive to a subsequent operation of the finger-operated input device, and authenticate the user based upon a match between the acquired finger-matching biometric data and the finger-enrollment biometric data.

Abstract: A finger sensor may include a finger sensing area and a controller cooperating with the finger sensing area for storing enrollment data including finger feature locations. The controller may be for generating authentication data including finger feature locations based upon positioning of an object adjacent the finger sensing area. The controller may also be for performing aligning the authentication data and the enrollment data, matching between the aligned enrollment and authentication data, and spoof attempt detecting based upon corresponding pairs of finger features and their spatial locations in the aligned enrollment and authentication data. The controller may further be for performing an authentication decision based upon the matching and spoof detecting.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and encryption circuitry on the IC substrate cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for encrypting a user template comprising finger template data and at least one user credential. The at least one user credential may enable another device, such as a host platform, to perform at least one protected operation.

Abstract: A method for finger biometric processing may include selecting at least one enrollment spot from finger biometric enrollment data comprising a plurality of pixels, and selecting at least one verification spot from finger biometric verification data comprising a plurality of pixels. One or more spot properties is determined for one (or both) of the at least one enrollment spot and the at least one verification spot. The method may further include comparing the at least one enrollment spot with the at least one verification spot based upon a function of corresponding pixel values of the at least one enrollment spot and the at least one verification spot, and also based upon the at least one spot property.

Abstract: A finger sensor may include a finger sensing area and a controller cooperating with the finger sensing area for storing enrollment data including finger feature locations. The controller may be for generating authentication data including finger feature locations based upon positioning of an object adjacent the finger sensing area. The controller may also be for performing aligning the authentication data and the enrollment data, matching between the aligned enrollment and authentication data, and spoof attempt detecting based upon corresponding pairs of finger features and their spatial locations in the aligned enrollment and authentication data. The controller may further be for performing an authentication decision based upon the matching and spoof detecting.

Abstract: A method is for processing a plurality of finger biometric enrollment data sets that accounts for uncertainty in alignment between finger biometric enrollment data sets. The method may include generating a respective estimated physical transformation between each pair of finger biometric enrollment data sets, and generating a respective uncertainty for each estimated physical transformation. The method may also include associating the respective estimated physical transformation and the uncertainty for each estimated physical transformation with each pair of finger biometric enrollment data sets to define a logical finger biometric enrollment graph. The logical finger biometric enrollment graph is readily used for subsequent accurate matching in either touch sensor applications or slide sensor applications.

Abstract: A method for comparing a finger biometric verify ridge orientation characteristic map to a finger biometric enrollment ridge orientation characteristic map may include generating a first probability distribution function substantially for corresponding values of the verify and enrollment ridge orientation characteristic maps that differ from one another by less than or equal to a threshold difference. A second probability distribution function may be generated substantially for corresponding values of the verify and enrollment ridge orientation characteristic maps that differ from one another by more than the threshold difference. The verify ridge orientation characteristic map may be compared to the enrollment ridge orientation characteristic map to determine a match therewith based upon the first and second probability distribution functions.

Abstract: A finger sensor apparatus may include a finger sensor having an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and session key negotiation circuitry on the IC substrate. The finger sensing apparatus may also include a host platform external from the finger sensor and cooperating with the session key negotiation circuitry to negotiate a unique session key for secure communication with the finger sensor during a respective communication session therewith.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, match circuitry on the IC substrate, and a host platform external from the IC substrate and cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for generating finger template data with a template watermark embedded therein. The host platform may also generate a match score based on the finger template data with the template watermark embedded therein for use by the match circuitry.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and encryption circuitry on the IC substrate cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for encrypting a user template comprising finger template data and at least one user credential. The at least one user credential may enable another device, such as a host platform, to perform at least one protected operation.