An effective algorithm for fingerprint image enhancement based on wavelet transform

Among all the fingerprint identification/verification systems, such as minutiae-based or filterbank-based fingerprint matching, the performance relies heavily on the quality of the input fingerprint images. In this paper, we propose an effective algorithm of fingerprint image enhancement, which can much improve the clarity and continuity of ridge structures based on the multiresolution analysis of global texture and local orientation by the wavelet transform. Experimental results show that the enhanced image quality by using the wavelet-based enhancement algorithm is much better than the other existing methods for improving the minutiae detection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]