Fast focal point localization algorithm for fingerprint registration

Fingerprint registration is still a challenging problem for large-scale fingerprint identification system. In this paper, a new, fast, and efficient algorithm for the focal point localization is proposed. The focal point is a reliable reference point, which can replace a singular point such as core in fingerprint registration process. The advantages of the focal point over the singular point are its uniqueness and reliability under low quality fingerprint and partial fingerprint conditions. In this paper, the proposed algorithm employed only orientation fields of fingerprint instead of a fully enhanced fingerprint, resulting in reduction of 7 times computational complexity compared to a previous algorithm. Moreover, the new algorithm achieves good localization accuracy and outstanding stability comparing with existing results in literature.