Products > Biometrics Software > HandSegmenter

Image processing software tools for
the automated segmentation of finger,
slap, palm, and hand images

Aware’s HandSegmenter software includes several image analysis and processing tools that perform a variety of automated image segmentations. They are designed to automate the creation of derivative image types from a particular live scan or card scan platform, and can be used to facilitate the efficient extraction of multiple fingerprint images from a single slap impression.

HandSegmenter complements Aware’s SequenceCheck, used to ensure the proper identification and sequence of rolled finger images, QualityCheck, used to generate image quality scores, NISTPack for standard-compliant compression and data formatting, and WSQ1000 for compression of 1000 ppi images.

Palm and handprint images are becoming increasingly useful tools complementary to fingerprints for criminal identification applications. Just as electronically stored, forensic-quality fingerprint images have been indispensable in the identification of thousands of individuals, the additional information captured in palm and handprints can significantly add to their effectiveness. Hand and palm images are considerably larger than fingerprints sets, and thus require more storage space; yet it is still critical to compress these images as quickly and efficiently as possible without sacrificing image quality.

In addition, HandSegmenter can be used to automatically generate four individual fingerprint images by scanning a single "slap" image of all four fingers simultaneously, or two thumbprints from a simultaneous scan of both thumbs. This can dramatically reduce the time required to capture an entire set of ten flat fingerprints.

Aware HandSegmenter software can be used for a variety of segmenting functions:

Extracts an image of the fingerprint area above the first interdigital crease from a whole-finger image. Images are properly framed and background noise, fogging, and shadow artifacts are removed.

Segments an image of two thumbs into individual flat thumbprint images and identifies the thumbs as left or right. Images are properly framed and background noise, fogging, and shadow artifacts are removed.

Extracts an image of the fingerprint area above the first interdigital crease of each of the four fingers in a "slap" image. The HandSegmenter properly distinguishes between small, ring, middle, and index fingers and identifies them. Images are properly framed and background noise, fogging, and shadow artifacts are removed. NISTPack can be used to submit the fingerprint images to an AFIS as a Type 4 fingerprint set record, or a Type 14 record for 1000 ppi images.

For handprints and palmprints, HandSegmenter automatically segments and extracts each finger image. NISTPack can be used to include the images in Type 15 records for submission to an AFIS.

HandSegmenter can be used to collect a full set of ten flat fingerprint images from just three scanned impressions: once slap impression of the four fingers of each hand, and one image including both thumbs

• Segmentation and extraction of fingerprint images from handprint images
  
  
• Fully compatible and complementary to NISTPack, SequenceCheck, QualityCheck, and Aware WSQ
  
  
• Facilitates use of handprints to check for proper sequence of rolled prints Useful for efficient scanning of multiple flat fingerprints
  
  
• Fully standards-compliant read, write, edit, and validation of ANSI/NIST EFTS Type 4, Type 14, and Type 15 records