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Once the fingerprint image is captured, the process of identification involves the use of complex algorithms (mathematical equations) to compare the specific features of that fingerprint to the specific features of one or more fingerprint images that have been previously stored in a database.

The most famous application of fingerprint recognition technology is in criminology. However, nowadays, automatic fingerprint matching is becoming increasingly popular in systems which control access to physical locations (such as doors and entry gates), computer/network resources or bank accounts, or which register employee attendance time in enterprises.

Straightforward matching of the to-be-identified fingerprint pattern against many already known fingerprint patterns would not serve well, due to the high sensitivity to errors in capturing fingerprints (e.g. due to rough fingers, damaged fingerprint areas or the way a finger is placed on different areas of a fingerprint scanner window that can result in different orientation or deformation of the fingerprint during the scanning procedure). A more advanced solution to this problem is to extract features of so called minutiae points (points where the tiny ridges and capillary lines in a fingerprint have branches or ends) from the fingerprint image, and check matching between these sets of of very specific fingerprint features.

The extraction and comparison of minutiae points requires sophisticated algorithms for reliable processing of the fingerprint image, which includes eliminating visual noise from the image, extracting minutiae and determining, rotation and translation of the fingerprint. At the same time, the algorithms must be as fast as possible for comfortable use in applications with a large number of users.

Many of these applications can run on a PC, however some applications require that the system be implemented on low cost, compact and/or mobile embedded devices such as doors, gates, handheld computers, cell phones etc.). For developers who intend to implement the fingerprint recognition algorithm into a microchip, compactness of algorithm and small size of required memory may also be important.

VeriFinger Software Development Kit (SDK):
In 1998 Neurotechnology developed VeriFinger, a fingerprint identification algorithm, designed for biometric system integrators. Since that time, the company has released 12 algorithm versions, with the current version, VeriFinger 6.0, providing the most powerful fingerprint recognition algorithms to date.
VeriFinger SDK is offered for a competitive price and developers can select from these types of SDK:
• VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK is intended for PC-based biometrical application development. It includes Matcher and Extractor components, programming samples and tutorials, fingerprint scanner drivers and software documentation. The SDK allows the development of biometric applications for Microsoft Windows, Linux or Mac OS X operating systems.
• VeriFinger 6.0 Extended SDK is intended for biometrical Web-based and network application development. It includes all features of Standard SDK. Additionally, the SDK contains sample client applications, tutorials and a ready-to-use matching server.

FingerCell Embedded Development Kit (EDK):
Neurotechnology's FingerCell embedded fingerprint identification technology was developed on the VeriFinger basis and adapted for use in low cost, compact and/or mobile embedded devices such as doors, gates, handheld computers and cell phones.
FingerCell 2.1 EDK is available on 30 day trial period. This downloadable trial kit allows developers to explore the technology and to try it in real environments and real applications.

MegaMatcher Software Development Kit (SDK):
MegaMatcher is a multi-biometrical technology, intended for large-scale face-fingerprint systems and AFIS integrators. The technology includes fingerprint and facial recognition engines that could be used either separately or together. The fingerprint engine's performance and reliability has been acknowledged by NIST MINEX.
MegaMatcher 2.0 SDK includes server software for local multi-biometrical systems, cluster software for large-scale multi-biometrical products development, and a set of valuable task-specific components.

Biometrical identification software have been used in criminology for more than two decades, and now this software is becoming an important part of various civil applications and systems, including PC logon, employee access and attendance control, customer management systems.

A fingerprint identification system can be designed using:
1. a common PC, that offers enough capabilities to perform fast fingerprint recognition and matching,
2. a fingeprint scanner, that can be obtained for an affordable price,
3. software, which can be rapidly developed using a fingerprint identification SDK with all necessary technologies, algorithms and interfaces included.

Once the software is developed, the system can be scaled up by adding more PCs, scanners and obtaining additional technology licenses.

Neurotechnology offers fingerprint identification technology and SDKs that offer the needed performance and reliability for a reasonable price.

The Technology / PC-based Fingerprint Recognition Summary

VeriFinger 6.0 technology is based on MegaMatcher 2.0 fingerprint identification engine that has received NIST MINEX certification for use in personal identity verification program applications. The technology assures system performance with fast matching (up to 40,000 fingerprints per second) and reliable fingerprint recognition. VeriFinger contains many proprietary algorithmic solutions, including:

• adaptive image filtration for poor quality fingerprints;
• tolerance to fingerprint translation, rotation and deformation;
• identification (1:N) ability;
• features generalization for even more reliable identification;
• algorithm optimization for 30+ popular fingerprint scanners.

Algorithm demo application is available for downloading. Read more about the technology.

The SDK / PC-based Fingerprint Recognition Summary

VeriFinger SDK is based on the VeriFinger fingerprint recognition technology and is intended for biometric systems developers and integrators. It allows easy integration and rapid development of biometric applications using functionality from the VeriFinger algorithm, which ensures high reliability of the fingerprint identification, 1:1 and 1:N matching modes and comparison speeds of up to 40,000 fingerprints per second. The integrator has complete control over SDK data input and output.

VeriFinger SDK supports Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. The following types of SDK are available:

• VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK is intended for PC-based biometrical application development. It includes Matcher and Extractor components, programming samples and tutorials, fingerprint scanner drivers and software documentation. The SDK allows the development of biometric applications for Microsoft Windows, Linux or Mac OS X operating systems.
• VeriFinger 6.0 Extended SDK is intended for rapid development of biometrical Web-based and network applications. It includes all features of Standard SDK. Additionally, the SDK contains sample client applications, tutorials and a ready-to-use matching server.

In 1998 Neurotechnology developed VeriFinger, a fingerprint identification algorithm, designed for biometric system integrators. Since that time, Neurotechnology has released more than 10 algorithm versions, providing the most powerful fingerprint recognition algorithms to date.

The latest VeriFinger 6.0 version is based on MegaMatcher 2.0 technology.

• Full MINEX Certification. VeriFinger 6.0 technology is based on MegaMatcher 2.0 fingerprint identification engine that has been certified by NIST for use in personal identity verification program applications.
• Reliability. Even earlier VeriFinger fingerprint identification algorithm versions consistently have shown some of the best results for reliability in several biometric competitions, including the International Fingerprint Verification Competition (FVC2006, FVC2004, FVC2002 and FVC2000) and the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Fingerprint Vendor Technology Evaluation (FpVTE 2003), where Neurotechnology ranked among the top five companies for accuracy in single-finger tests. VeriFinger 6.0 provides reliability improvements over these earlier versions.
• Fingerprint enrollment time is 0.2-0.4 sec., and VeriFinger can match up to 40,000 fingerprints per second in 1:N identification mode. To confirm these results with your data, please try VeriFinger algorithm demo (see section below).
• VeriFinger matches rolled and flat fingerprints between themselves. Usually conventional "flat" fingerprint identification algorithms perform matching between flat and rolled fingerprints less reliably due to the specific deformations of rolled fingerprints. VeriFinger allows matching of flat-flat, flat-rolled or rolled-rolled fingerprints with high reliability.
• Both face and fingerprint recognition technologies from the same vendor. Compatible product interfaces and customer support from the same source allow simple multi-biometric system integration and help to achieve high system recognition quality. The VeriFinger algorithm can be used alone or together with other Neurotechnology's biometrical algorithms.
• VeriFinger is offered for a competitive price. Developers can select from several types of SDK and licensing models. Each of these kits and models is intended for specific needs, and developers always can make an upgrade by paying the difference between the current and more powerful SDK.

VeriFinger 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:

• VeriFinger includes fingerprint image quality determination which can be used during enrollment to ensure that only the best quality fingerprint template will be stored into database.
• VeriFinger algorithm is able to match rolled fingerprints, flat fingerprints, and also rolled with flat between themselves. Due to the specific scanning technique (rolling from nail to nail) rolled fingerprints usually have much bigger deformation than those scanned using the "flat" technique. VeriFinger matches rolled fingerprints very well, as it is tolerant to fingerprint deformations.
• The adaptive image filtration algorithm allows to eliminate noises, ridge ruptures and stuck ridges, and extract minutiae reliably even from poor quality fingerprints, with a processing time of about 0.2 - 0.4 seconds (all times are given for a Pentium 4, 3 GHz processor). You can look at the screenshot of the VeriFinger demo application 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 in1:1 matching (verification), as well as 1:N mode (identification).
• VeriFinger includes a fast template matching algorithm that is tolerant to fingerprint translation, rotation and deformation. VeriFinger's proprietary fingerprint matching algorithm allows it to match up to 40,000 fingerprints per second and identify fingerprints even if they are rotated, translated, deformated and have only 5 - 7 similar minutiae (usually fingerprints of the same finger have 20 - 40 similar minutiae).
• VeriFinger can use 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 a fairly good chance that the correct match will be found at the beginning of the search. As a result, the number of comparisons required to achieve fingerprint identification decreases drastically, and correspondingly, the matching speed increases.
• VeriFinger has the fingerprint enrollment with features generalization mode. This mode generates the collection of the generalized fingerprint features from a set of fingerprints of the same finger. Each fingerprint image is processed and features are extracted. Then the features collection set is 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 6.0 includes algorithm modes that help to achieve better results for the supported fingerprint scanners.

Reliability Test Results and Technical Specifications / VeriFinger Fingerprint Recognition Technology

^* VeriFinger 6.0, for sufficiently large databases (500 or more fingerprints). Use with smaller sample fingerprint database, typically yields lower speed.
^** Average fingerprint with image size 300 x 300 pixels.

These results were also confirmed by the tests performed by our customers.

VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK and Extended SDK trials are also available for downloading.

VeriFinger SDK is based on the VeriFinger fingerprint recognition technology and is intended for biometric systems developers and integrators. It allows rapid development of biometric applications using functionality from the VeriFinger algorithm, which ensures high reliability of the fingerprint identification, 1:1 and 1:N matching modes and comparison speeds of up to 40,000 fingerprints per second. VeriFinger can be easily integrated into the customer's security system. The integrator has complete control over SDK data input and output.

VeriFinger SDK supports Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.

The following VeriFinger 6.0 SDKs are available:
• VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK is intended for PC-based biometrical application development. It includes Matcher and Extractor components, programming samples and tutorials, fingerprint scanner drivers and software documentation. The SDK allows the development of biometric applications for Microsoft Windows, Linux or Mac OS X operating systems.
• VeriFinger 6.0 Extended SDK is intended for biometrical Web-based and network application development. It includes all features of Standard SDK. Additionally, the SDK contains sample client applications, tutorials and a ready-to-use matching server.

The table below compares VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK and VeriFinger 6.0 Extended SDK.

VeriFinger Matching Server software is not included in VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK.

VeriFinger Matching Server is a ready-to-use software that performs the identification and verification of fingerprints on the server side. The server is intended to be used in web-based and other network-based systems.

VeriFinger Matching Server runs on PCs with Microsoft Windows or Linux and includes these additional components:
• Server administration tool for monitoring servers state, managing log and other server administration tasks;
• Support modules for MySQL and Oracle databases.
• Sample client applications:
   ° C# tutorials (for Microsoft Windows);
   ° C sample (for Linux);
   ° Sample Java applet.

VeriFinger Extractor creates fingerprint templates from fingerprint images. Image quality control can be applied to accept only good quality fingerprint images.

The Extractor can generalize a fingerprint template from several fingerprint images to improve template's quality.

System requirements for VeriFinger Mathing Server
• PC with x86 compatible CPU (2 GHz processor or better is recommended);
• UDP and TCP network support;
• MySQL or Oracle server (other DB servers require a custom support module to be developed by the integrator);
• Microsoft Windows specific:
   ° Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista.
• Linux specific:
   ° Linux 2.6 or newer;
   ° GCC-4.0.x or newer;
   ° pkg-config-0.21 or newer;
   ° GNU Make 3.81 or newer;
   ° GTK+-2.10.x or newer libs and dev packages;
   ° libtiff-3.8.x or newer libs and dev packages;

System requirements for VeriFinger Matcher and Extractor components:
• PC with x86 compatible CPU (2 GHz processor or better is recommended);
• UDP and TCP network support (for network-based applications);
• Fingerprint scanner driver (users can use the fingerprint scanning component, included in VeriFinger SDK, or can obtain the driver from the scanner's manufacturer);
• Microsoft Windows specific:
   ° Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista;
   ° Microsoft .NET framework 2.0 (for .NET components);
   ° Microsoft Visual Studio .Net 2005 or newer, or Microsoft Visual Basic 6 (for application development).
• Linux specific:
   ° Linux 2.6 or newer;
   ° GCC-4.0.x or newer;
   ° pkg-config-0.21.x or newer;
   ° GNU Make 3.81 or newer;
   ° GTK+-2.10.x or newer libs and dev packages;
   ° libtiff-3.8.x or newer libs and dev packages;

These products can be used together with VeriFinger SDKs:
• Template Management and Conversion Add-on – a product for template standards support integration with systems based on VeriFinger SDK or FingerCell EDK.
• NImages Pro (WSQ) Add-on for VeriFinger – allows developers to integrate image support into applications based on VeriFinger SDK or FingerCell EDK. Supported image formats are: WSQ, BMP, TIFF and NIST IHead.

Neurotechnology offers VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK and Extended SDK on a 30 day trial. The trials allow developers to explore the SDKs' possibilities and to try them in real environments and real applications. Constant Internet connection is required during evaluation.
VeriFinger SDK trials are available for downloading.

The VeriFinger 6.0 algorithm demo application for Microsoft Windows is also available for downloading.

To develop a product based on VeriFinger 6.0 technology, an integrator should obtain VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK (EUR 339) or VeriFinger 6.0 Extended SDK (EUR 859). Integrators can develop only an end-user product using VeriFinger SDK and sell/install the product to their own customers.

If an integrator wants to develop and sell a VeriFinger based development tool (with custom API, programming possibilities, samples, etc.), he/she will need to become a value-added reseller (VAR). More information is available in VAR licensing model.

VeriFinger 6.0 components are:
• VeriFinger 6.0 Matcher
• VeriFinger 6.0 Extractor

A license is required for each running instance of VeriFinger components. The following license types are available:
• Single computer license.
• Concurrent network license.
• Enterprise license.

VeriFinger 6.0 Standard SDK includes:
• 1 VeriFinger Matcher license.
• 1 VeriFinger Extractor license.

VeriFinger 6.0 Extended SDK includes:
• 1 VeriFinger Matcher license.
• 3 VeriFinger Extractor license.

VeriFinger 6.0 SDK customers can obtain additional VeriFinger 6.0 components licenses for their product installation or development at any time. Prices for additional VeriFinger 6.0 component licenses can be found here.

Please also refer to VeriFinger 6.0 SDK Software License Agreement for all licensing terms and conditions.

Single computer license

A single computer license allows to install and run a VeriFinger 6.0 component installation on one processor core. Component license will not be lost if computer will be reinstalled.

The following license management options are available:
• license activation online by communicating with Neurotechnology's server;
• license activation by email;
• license activation using volume license manager;
• license management using volume license manager on LAN or Internet.

Concurrent network licenses

VeriFinger Extractor concurrent license allows to install VeriFinger Extractor component on an unlimited number of computers. Volume license manager is used to manage these licenses across the computers on LAN or Internet. The allowed number of simultaneously running VeriFinger Extractor component instances is limited by the number of obtained concurrent licenses which are stored in the license manager.

This type of licensing is especially useful for web-based software.

VeriFinger 6.0 enterprise license

VeriFinger enterprise license allows an unlimited use of VeriFinger components (Extractor and Matcher) in the end-user products in the certain territory, market segment or project. These limitations would be included in the licensing agreement.

The enterprise license price depends on the application size and the number of potential application's users within the designated territory, market segment or project. VeriFinger enterprise licenses are provided only for big projects, with price range starting at EUR 20,000.

VeriFinger algorithm source code may be included with a special source code licensing agreement for the selected customers, who are going to obtain VeriFinger enterprise license for at least EUR 100,000 or more.

For more information please contact us.