World's first 3D printed fingerprint for better print-matching technology
Until about 20 years ago, fingerprints were primarily used by law enforcement agencies to identify criminals. Today fingerprints are being extensively used in civilian and commercial applications.
2D synthetic fingerprint generators output fingerprints using mathematical or statistical models of fingerprint features. Te test the performance of a finger scan system, researchers have to conduct evaluations on the millions of known fingerprint images. But these performance estimates are restricted by the amount of available test data. In addition, the 2D synthetic fingerprint generators are inadequate for testing touchless fingerprint sensing technologies, which has been used more and more as alternatives to the traditional touch based fingerprint capture systems.
To get around the problem, a team of computer scientists from Michigan State University (MSU) led by Anil Jain, an alumnus from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have developed the world's first 3D-printed fingerprint.
The use of such 3D fingerprints could help both sensor manufacturers and algorithm developers improve the hardware and software of fingerprint matching systems, says Anil Jain. And it could eventually lead to improvements in security.
What Jain, a University Distinguished Professor of computer science and engineering, and his team did was develop a method that takes a two-dimensional image of a fingerprint and maps it to a 3D finger surface.
The 3D finger surface, complete with all the ridges and valleys that make up the human fingerprint, is made using a 3D printer. It creates what Jain's team called a fingerprint "phantom."
Imaging phantoms are common in the world of medical imaging. For example, to make sure an MRI machine or a CT scanner is working properly, it needs to first image an object of known dimensions and material properties.
"In health care, a 3D heart or kidney can be created," Jain said. "Because the dimensions are known, they can be put into a scanner and the imaging system can be calibrated."
In this case, the ultimate goal is to have a precise fingerprint model with known properties and features that can be used to calibrate existing technology used to match fingerprints.
"When I have this 3D fingerprint phantom, I know its precise measurements," said Jain. "And because I know the true dimensions of the fingerprint features on this phantom, I can better evaluate fingerprint readers."
While the 3D model doesn't yet have the exact texture or feel of a real finger, it could advance fingerprint sensing and matching technology.
"Tools like this would help improve the overall accuracy of fingerprint-matching systems, which eventually leads to better security in applications ranging from law enforcement to mobile phone unlock," Jain said. For example the iPhone 5s can be unlocked with Touch ID.
Jain has six US patents on fingerprint matching and has written a number of books on biometrics and fingerprint/facial recognition.