Why VeriFinger?

Neurotechnologija has developed fingerprint identification algorithm VeriFinger 4.2, designed for biometric system integrators. VeriFinger has the capabilities of the most powerful fingerprint recognition algorithms:

• Reliability. Receiver operating curves (ROC) obtained with four standard databases, given in the technical specifications section, were used in The Fingerprint Verification Competition 2004. These ROC indicate that VeriFinger reliability is one of the best at the competition.

• Fingerprint matching speed is one of the highest among the competing identification algorithms. Fingerprint enrollment time is 0.2-0.4 sec., and VeriFinger can match 30000 fingerprints per second in 1:N identification mode. To confirm these results with your samples, please try VeriFinger evaluation program.

• VeriFinger is available as a software development kit (SDK), but source code may also be made available for developers. VeriFinger source code is written in ANSI C, well structured and documented (source code description, optimization techniques description, mathematical function representation, operating samples etc).

• VeriFinger is offered for competitive price. Developers can select from several types of SDK. Each of these kits is intended for the specific needs, and developers always can make an upgrade only by paying the difference between the current and more powerful SDK.

Algorithm

VeriFinger fingerprint recognition algorithm follows the commonly accepted fingerprint identification scheme, which uses a set of specific fingerprint points (minutiae). However, it contains many proprietary algorithmic solutions, which enhance the system performance and reliability. Some of them are listed below:

• Adaptive image filtration algorithm allows to eliminate noises, ridge ruptures and stuck ridges, and extract minutiae reliably even from poor quality fingerprints, with processing time of about 0.2 - 0.4 seconds (all times are given for Pentium 4, 1.8 GHz processor). You can look at the screenshot of VeriFinger evaluation program showing an example of initial fingerprint image (left window), and the same image after the noise filtering and processing by VeriFinger (right window), with minutiae positions and directions marked by red circles and lines.

• VeriFinger functions can be used in 1:1 matching (verification), as well as 1:N mode (identification).

• VeriFinger is fully tolerant to fingerprint translation and rotation. Such tolerance is usually reached by using Hough transform-based algorithms, but this method is quite slow and unreliable. VeriFinger uses a proprietary fingerprint matching algorithm instead, which currently enables to match 30000 fingerprints per second and identify fingerprints even if they are rotated, translated and have only 5 - 7 similar minutiae (usually fingerprints of the same finger have 20 - 40 similar minutiae).

• VeriFinger does not require presence of the fingerprint core or delta points in the image, and can recognize a fingerprint from any part of it. However, if these points are present, it uses them for recognition that is more reliable.

• VeriFinger can use the database entries, which were pre-sorted using certain global features. Fingerprint matching is performed first with the database entries having global features most similar to those of the test fingerprint. If matching within this group yields no positive result, then the next record with most similar global features is selected, and so on, until the matching is successful or the end of the database is reached. In most cases there is fairly good chance that the correct match will be found already in the beginning of the search. As a result, the number of comparisons required to achieve fingerprint identification decreases drastically, and correspondingly, the effective matching speed increases.

• VeriFinger has the fingerprint enrollment with features' generalization mode. This mode generates the collection of the generalized fingerprint features from three fingerprints of the same finger. Each fingerprint image is processed and features are extracted. Then the three collections of features are analyzed and combined into a single generalized features collection, which is written to the database. This way, the enrolled features are more reliable and the fingerprint recognition quality considerably increases.

• VeriFinger 4.2 includes algorithm modes that help to achieve better results for specific scanner. Modes are following:Universal;
    • DigitalPersona U.are.U family scanners;
    • Identix Touch View and DFR-2090 scanner;
    • Cross Match Verifier 300 scanner;
    • BiometriKa FX 2000 scanner;
    • Precise Biometrics 100 SC scanner;
    • KeyTronis Security Desktop scanner;
    • ST Microelectronics TouchChip sensor;
    • Identicator Technology DF-90
    • AuthenTec AES4000 and AF-S2 sensors;
    • Atmel FingerChip sensor;
    • BMF BLP-100 sensor;
    • SecuGen Hamster scanner.

Please note, that VeriFinger algorithm itself provides parameters' optimization for scanners, but does not provide interface for scanners. Please, check out VeriFinger 4.2 SDK for more information about interface with scanners.

SDK Overview

VeriFinger SDK is intended for biometric systems developers and integrators. It allows rapid development of the biometric application using functions from VeriFinger DLL or library, which ensure high reliability of the fingerprint identification, 1:1 and 1:N matching modes, comparison speed up to 30000 fingerprints per second. VeriFinger can be easily integrated into the customer's security system. The integrator has a complete control over SDK data input and output. Therefore, SDK functions can be used in connection with any scanner, any database and any user interface.

VeriFinger SDK is available for Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 and Linux.

There are such types of VeriFinger 4.2 SDK for Microsoft Windows:

• VeriFinger 4.2 Light SDK, which is intended for developers, who have already obtained scanner interface. Includes one license for VeriFinger 4.2 DLL, VeriFinger DLL usage sample application (with source code) and software documentation.

• VeriFinger 4.2 Standard SDK, which is intended for most biometric systems' developers. Includes all features of Light SDK and, additionally, fingerprint scanner interfaces (DigitalPersona U.are.U, Identix DFR2090, Tacoma CMOS, Cross Match Verifier 300-USB, STMicroelectronics TCRU1C, BiometriKa FX 2000, Ethenticator, AuthenTec AF-S2 and AES4000).

• VeriFinger 4.2 Extended SDK, which is intended for developers, who would like to start a rapid development of network-based client/server biometric system. Includes all features of Standard SDK, also includes 3 VeriFinger DLL licenses instead of 1, ActiveX components for client/server development and components' usage sample application (with source code).

• VeriFinger 4.2 SDK for Microsoft Windows CE is available for developers, who would like to develop biometric system for Windows CE based devices. Includes VeriFinger 4.2 library, image file interface, library usage sample application (with source code) and software description.

• VeriFinger 4.2 Linux SDK is available for developers, who would like to develop biometric system for PC with Linux operating system. Includes one license for VeriFinger 4.2 library, image file interface, FX 2000, Fujitsu MBF200 and Tacoma CMOS fingerprint scanner interface, AF-S2 and AES4000 fingerprint sensors interface, MySQL integration module, library usage sample application (with source code) and software documentation.

VeriFinger Light SDK

VeriFinger Light SDK is intended for developers, who already have fingerprint scanner interfaces. VeriFinger can use fingerprint data from almost any fingerprint scanner. Developers can use scanner interfaces, which are written by scanner's manufacturers.

VeriFinger Light SDK distribution package contains:

• VeriFinger DLL (one license);
• Interface for image input from file;
• Source codes of DLL usage sample application. Source codes in C/C++, Java, Visual Basic, Visual Basic .Net, Visual Basic for Applications and Delphi 6 are included;
• Documentation.
 

System requirements for VeriFinger Light SDK:

• PC with Pentium 500MHz processor or better;
• Microsoft Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP;
• Fingerprint scanner interface from the scanner's manufacturer

VeriFinger Standard SDK

VeriFinger Standard SDK is intended for most biometric system developers. This SDK contains interfaces for some of the major fingerprint scanners, which allow the developer to obtain data from the scanners without any additional software. Additionally, U.are.U scanner interface allows to use multiple U.are.U scanners simultaneously, which could be essential for some biometric system.

VeriFinger Standard SDK distribution package contains:

• VeriFinger DLL (one license);
• Interfaces for image input from file, U.are.U, FX 2000, Tacoma CMOS, DFR2090, Verifier 300-USB, TouchChip, Ethenticator scanners; AES4000 and AF-S2 sensors;
• Source codes of DLL usage sample application. Source codes in C/C++, Java, Visual Basic, Visual Basic .Net, Visual Basic for Applications and Delphi 6 are included;
• Documentation.
 

System requirements for VeriFinger Standard SDK:

• PC with Pentium 500MHz processor or better;
• Microsoft Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP;
• Fingerprint scanner interface (users can use the interface, included in VeriFinger Standard SDK, or can obtain the interface from the scanner's manufacturer);

VeriFinger Extended SDK

VeriFinger Extended SDK contains all features of Standard SDK. Additionally, it contains a set of reusable COM/ActiveX components, created especially for rapid development of client/server application using VeriFinger fingerprint identification technology. It supports client/server architecture; components can communicate over network and balance computer resources load. Server and client components can be run on the same computer or can be distributed over the network. For example, one computer on the network can be dedicated for server role (database management, fingerprint identification and verification) and the others will operate as clients (user interface and features' extraction). Components of Extended SDK supports Microsoft COM (Component Object Model) and can be used in various programming environments, which are compatible with Microsoft COM (Visual C++, Visual Basic, Visual Basic Script and others). This model speeds up fingerprint technology integration into existing applications and allows to avoid low level programming (API, DLL interfaces).

VeriFinger SDK for Windows CE

VeriFinger SDK for Windows CE is intended for developers, who designs software for compact devices.

VeriFinger SDK for Windows CE distribution package contains:

• VeriFinger library;
• Interface for image input from file;
• Source code of library usage sample application. Source code is in Embedded Visual C++ 3.0;
• Documentation.
 

System requirements for sample application:

• Pocket PC with ARM-based processor;
• Windows CE 3.0

System requirements for VeriFinger library for Windows CE:

• StrongARM 206MHz or Intel XScale 400MHz (PXA250) based device.
Please note, that these devices will process fingerprint in 2-4 seconds. For faster processing please look for more powerful device. Also please read about FingerCell EDK, which also could be used in hand held devices.

VeriFinger Linux SDK

VeriFinger Linux SDK is intended for software development under Linux.

VeriFinger Linux SDK distribution package contains:

• VeriFinger shared library (one license);
• Interfaces for image input from file, AF-S2 and AES4000 fingerprint sensors, FX 2000, MBF-200, Verifier 300-USB, FM-200 and Tacoma CMOS fingerprint scanners;
• MySQL integration module;
• Source codes of library usage sample application in C/C++;
• Documentation.

System requirements for VeriFinger Linux SDK:

• PC with Pentium 500MHz processor or better;
• Linux (based on glibc 2.2.5 or compatible)
• Fingerprint scanner interface (users can use the interface, included in VeriFinger Linux SDK, or can obtain the interface from the scanner's manufacturer)

Licensing VeriFinger software

VeriFinger 4.2 SDK has a shared license. That means, that you should obtain license for VeriFinger 4.2 SDK once, and then you will have to order only licenses for VeriFinger DLL for each copy of your biometric system.

• VeriFinger 4.2 Light, Standard and Extended SDK

A license for VeriFinger DLL is required for each running instance of VeriFinger-based application. Each license for VeriFinger DLL is copy protected by one of these methods:

    • Locking to U.are.U fingerprint scanner.
    • License generator and licenses for it.
    • LAN License Manager.
    • HASP dongle on USB.
    • HASP dongle on LPT.
    • Lock VeriFinger to PC.

VeriFinger 4.2 Light and Standard SDK include one license for VeriFinger DLL.
VeriFinger 4.2 Extended SDK includes three licenses for VeriFinger DLL.
Please also refer to VeriFinger 4.2 SDK Software License Agreement and VeriFinger 4.2 DLL Software License Agreement for all licensing terms and conditions.

 

• VeriFinger 4.2 Linux SDK

A license for VeriFinger shared library is required for each running instance of VeriFinger-based application. Each license for VeriFinger shared library is copy protected by:

    • HASP dongle on USB
    • HASP dongle on LPT

VeriFinger 4.2 Linux SDK includes one license for VeriFinger 4.2 shared library.
Please also refer to VeriFinger 4.2 SDK Software License Agreement and VeriFinger 4.2 DLL Software License Agreement for all licensing terms and conditions.

• VeriFinger 4.2 Library SDK
Developers should order at least 500 licenses for VeriFinger library together with order for VeriFinger 4.2 Library SDK. Please note, that though VeriFinger library comes without copy protection, it is mandatory to order additional libraries according to VeriFinger 4.2 SDK Software License Agreement.

• VeriFinger 4.2 source code
Please, contact us for information about licensing VeriFinger source code.