JP2000194848A - Fingerprint collation device and processing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To process images by an optimum scanning pitch at all times, thus accelerating fingerprint collation. SOLUTION: An image memory 2 stores a fingerprint image 1a read by a fingerprint sensor 1. An image processing/feature extraction means 3 processes the fingerprint image 1a and extracts the feature point of a fingerprint. A finger area measurement means 8 measures a fingerprint area and a raised line pitch measurement means 6 measures the raised line pitch of the fingerprint. The image processing/feature extraction means 3 selects whether to perform a fingerprint image processing to a high resolution and a small area or to a low resolution and a large area by the finger area and the raised line pitch of the fingerprint.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing an input fingerprint image to perform fingerprint registration and fingerprint collation, and a processing method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to prohibit unauthorized persons from entering a specific area in a building, a door which is opened and closed by an electric lock is provided at a passageway or an entrance to the specific area, and a passage to the specific area is provided near the door. In some cases, a fingerprint collation device for determining whether or not a person is authorized is installed. FIG.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a conventional fingerprint matching device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 27192. Since the details of this device will be described later, an outline of the operation will be described here.

When a passerby puts a finger on the fingerprint sensor 1, the fingerprint sensor 1 reads a fingerprint image, which is stored in an image memory 2. Then, in order to obtain the characteristic points of the fingerprint image,
The image processing / characteristic extracting means 3 extracts characteristic points of the fingerprint. In order to extract the feature points, for example, the template 14 shown in FIG. 3 is extracted by scanning the fingerprint image 1a pixel by pixel as shown in FIG.

Here, if the template 14 is scanned for each pixel, the image processing time becomes enormous. Therefore, the ridge pitch P of the fingerprint shown in FIG. In practice, the scanning lines L1 to L3 shown in FIG. 6 are run, and the average value of the ridge pitch P obtained for each of these scanning lines L1 to L3 is measured.
A scanning pitch for image processing and feature point extraction is determined. FIG.
Shows the relationship between the ridge pitch P and the image processing scanning pitch.

Further, the determined scanning pitch P is inputted to the image processing / feature extracting means 3 and, according to the ridge pitch P of the fingerprint, if the ridge pitch P is large, the scanning pitch of the image processing is coarse and the ridge pitch is large. Is smaller, the scanning pitch of the image processing is made finer, and the image processing is performed at the optimum scanning pitch.
Extract the characteristic points of the fingerprint. Then, at the time of fingerprint registration, the fingerprint information and scanning pitch from the image processing / feature extraction unit 3 are registered by the fingerprint registration unit 4.

At the time of fingerprint collation, the scanning pitch setting means 7 is based on the ridge pitch P measured by the ridge pitch measuring means 6.
The image processing and the feature point extraction are performed by setting the scanning pitch via. Then, the fingerprint collating unit 5 collates the fingerprint information at the time of collation with the registered fingerprint information.

[0007]

In the above-described conventional fingerprint collating apparatus, since the scanning pitch is set by the average ridge pitch from the ridge pitch measuring means 6, the fingerprint image processing is performed at the optimum scanning pitch. However, there is a problem that wasteful processing is performed even on a blank portion where there is no fingerprint image, and high-speed processing cannot be expected.

Further, since the optimum scanning pitch is determined only by the ridge pitch P, if the ridge pitch P fluctuates due to noise or instability of the finger placement, image processing is performed at a non-optimal scanning pitch. However, there is a problem that misrecognition increases. In addition, the collation method (hereinafter referred to as retrieval collation) that enables collation without inputting a complicated password at the time of collation has a problem that pitch information at the time of registration cannot be used as pitch information required at the time of collation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a fingerprint matching apparatus and a processing method thereof which can speed up image processing and can reliably determine a scanning pitch at the time of matching. The purpose is to do.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fingerprint matching apparatus which inputs a fingerprint image, measures a finger area determined from a position where the finger is placed and an area of the finger, and determines a finger area. In this case, fingerprint matching is performed only for the fingerprint.

The fingerprint matching device according to the second aspect of the present invention inputs a fingerprint image, measures a finger area determined from the position of the finger and the area of the finger, and determines the image of the fingerprint image only for the finger area. The processing is selected to be performed in a mode of high resolution and small area or in a mode of low resolution and large area.

The fingerprint matching device according to a third invention is the fingerprint matching device according to the second invention, wherein a finger area is measured from the measured finger region, a fingerprint image is input, and a ridge pitch of the fingerprint is measured. The mode is switched according to the measured finger area and ridge pitch.

The fingerprint collation device according to a fourth invention is the fingerprint collation device according to the second invention, wherein the capacitance of the placed finger is detected, a fingerprint image is inputted, and the ridge pitch of the fingerprint is measured. The mode is switched according to the measured capacitance and ridge pitch.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fingerprint matching apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image processing of the fingerprint image is performed in a high resolution and small area mode by a manual operation, or in a low resolution and large area mode. It is designed to select whether or not to perform.

The fingerprint collating apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the fingerprint collation apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the height of the passerby is measured, and the mode is switched according to the height.

The fingerprint matching device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the device according to the second aspect, wherein the weight of the passerby is measured, and the mode is switched according to the weight.

Further, in the fingerprint collation processing method according to the eighth invention, the fingerprint image read by the fingerprint sensor is stored, and the fingerprint image is inputted to measure the finger area determined from the position of the finger and the area of the finger. A fingerprint image is processed only for the finger region to extract fingerprint feature points, the extracted fingerprint feature points are registered, and fingerprint matching is performed using the registered fingerprint information. It is.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the fingerprint matching processing method according to the eighth aspect, image processing of a fingerprint image is performed between the step of measuring a finger area and the step of extracting characteristic points of the fingerprint. Do it in resolution and small area mode,
Alternatively, a mode switching step for selecting whether to perform in a low resolution and large area mode is inserted.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 9 show one embodiment of the first and eighth inventions of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a template for detecting a feature point of a fingerprint, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of detecting a feature point of a fingerprint, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a ridge pitch of a fingerprint, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the ridge pitch of the fingerprint and the scanning pitch of the image processing, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the image processing of a child finger, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the image processing of an adult finger. Indicates the same part (the same applies to other embodiments).

In FIG. 1, 1 is a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint image 1a of a finger placed on a fingerprint reader (not shown), 2 is an image memory for storing the fingerprint image 1a from the fingerprint sensor 1, and 3 is an image memory Image processing / feature extraction means for performing image processing on the fingerprint image on 2 to extract feature points of the fingerprint;
Is a fingerprint registration means for registering fingerprint information from the image processing / feature extraction means 3, and 5 is a fingerprint comparison means for comparing the registered fingerprint information from the fingerprint registration means 4 with the fingerprint information from the image processing / feature extraction means 3 at the time of matching. This is a fingerprint collation unit that performs collation processing.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a ridge pitch measuring means for processing the fingerprint image on the image memory 2 to measure the ridge pitch of the fingerprint, and 7 denotes an image processing / processing based on the average ridge pitch from the ridge pitch measuring means 6. The scanning pitch setting means 8 for setting the scanning pitch of the feature extracting means 3 measures a finger area determined by the position of the finger and the area of the finger from the fingerprint image on the image memory 2 and performs image processing / feature extracting means 3. This is a finger area measuring means for providing a cutout window designation signal.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When a passerby puts a finger on the fingerprint sensor 1, the fingerprint sensor 1 reads a fingerprint image 1a, which is input to the image memory 2 and stored for one screen. In order to obtain the characteristic points of the fingerprint image on the image memory 2, the image processing / characteristic extracting means 3 removes noise and extracts the characteristic points of the fingerprint.

FIG. 2 shows a typical example of the characteristic points of a fingerprint. As feature points of the fingerprint, a branch point 12 at which the fingerprint ridge 11 branches and an end point 13 at which the fingerprint ridge 11 is interrupted are known. In order to extract the feature points 12 and 13, for example, FIG.
The template 14 shown in FIG.
The extraction is performed by scanning over a for each pixel. Here, if the template 14 is scanned for each pixel, the image processing time becomes enormous. Therefore, the ridge pitch P of the fingerprint shown in FIG. W is the width of the ridge of the fingerprint.

Actually, as shown in FIG.
a, the scanning lines L1 to L3 are run on the scanning lines L1 to L3.
The average value of the ridge pitches P obtained for each of L3 to L3 is measured, and the scanning pitch setting means 7 determines the scanning pitch for image processing and feature point extraction. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the ridge pitch P and the image processing scanning pitch. That is, the ridge pitch P is 10
If the ridge pitch P is 200 μm, for example, it can be determined that the image processing scanning pitch is optimally 50 μm.

Further, the determined scanning pitch is inputted to the image processing / characteristic extracting means 3, and according to the ridge pitch P of the fingerprint, if the ridge pitch P is large, the scanning pitch of the image processing is coarse, and the ridge pitch is large. If P is small, the scanning pitch of the image processing is made finer, and the image processing is performed at the optimum scanning pitch to extract the characteristic points of the fingerprint.

Here, even if the thinning scan pitch of the image processing is specified according to only the ridge pitch P of the fingerprint, if the ridge pitch P of the child finger or the like is small and the area is small, the high speed image processing is performed. Is not effective for That is, in the conventional apparatus, since the processing pitch is simply thinned out, image processing is performed over the entire area. Therefore, in the case of a child's finger or the like, image processing is also performed on an area without a fingerprint, so that high-speed processing cannot be expected.

In this embodiment, for a fingerprint having a small area and a small ridge pitch P, image processing is performed with a high resolution and a small area, thereby realizing a great speed-up. I have. Further, in an actual processing circuit, the resolution of the image sensor does not change continuously. For example, if the ridge pitch P is 200 μm, the optimum maximum scanning pitch is 50 μm. In the case of, the optimum scanning pitch is 2 for a ridge pitch of 100 μm.
5 μm.

Therefore, for example, if the resolution of the image sensor and the image memory 2 is 640 × 480 pixels, a child or a person with a small fingerprint corresponds to cutting out a partial image on 640 × 480 pixels. If P is 200 μm or more, this corresponds to performing image processing after reducing the entire size. In other words, almost two people can respond to most people by changing the resolution in about two steps. Therefore, in this embodiment, a finger area measuring means 8 is provided.

Next, the operation of the finger area measuring means 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows an example of processing for a child finger, and FIG. 9 shows an example of processing for an adult finger. For example, assuming that the image memory 2 has a memory amount of 640 × 480 pixels, and a fingerprint image 1a input to the image memory 2 has a child's fingerprint as shown in FIG. Although it is necessary to scan, the image processing area 1b is, for example, 3
It may be 20 × 240 pixels. Therefore, the scanning pitch of the image processing is set for each pixel, and the image processing area 1b is 32 pixels.
Specify 0 × 240 pixels.

On the other hand, when the fingerprint image 1a has an adult finger, the whole image processing area 1c, which has been reduced, is sent to the image processing / feature extraction means 3. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the resolution of image processing every two pixels is sufficient, and the image processing area 1c has 640 × 480 pixels instead. In these two examples, the image processing may be performed 320 × 240 times, which is different from the conventional case where only the scanning pitch is variable.
In the case of a child fingerprint having a small finger area and a small ridge pitch P, the processing time is four times faster than in the past.

At the time of fingerprint registration, fingerprint information and scanning pitch from the image processing / feature extraction unit 3 are registered by the fingerprint registration unit 4. At the time of fingerprint matching, the scanning pitch is set via the scanning pitch setting means 7 based on the ridge pitch P measured by the ridge pitch measuring means 6 (measured at the time of search matching), and image processing and feature point extraction are performed. . Then, the fingerprint matching means 5 compares the fingerprint information at the time of matching with the registered information.

In this way, not only the scanning pitch of image processing is optimized based on the ridge pitch P of the fingerprint, but also the finger area of the fingerprint is detected, and the image processing is not performed on unnecessary portions. Can be shortened.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the second, third and ninth inventions of the present invention. 2 to 9 are also used in the second embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a finger area measuring means for measuring a finger area from an area position signal 8a which is an output of the finger area measuring means 8, and 22 a fingerprint image on the image memory 2 with high resolution from the finger area and the ridge pitch P. Mode switching means for outputting an image processing mode signal 22a for determining whether to perform processing with a small area or low resolution and a large area.

The area position signal 8a is also output to the image processing / feature extraction means 3, and the image processing mode signal 22a is output to the image processing / feature extraction means 3 and the fingerprint registration means 4. The output of the fingerprint registration unit 4 is also output to the image processing / feature extraction unit 3. Other than the above, it is the same as FIG.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment different from that of FIG. 1 will be described. After the fingerprint image 1a is input to the image memory 2,
When the area position signal 8a is output from the finger area measuring means 8, the finger area measuring means 21 measures the finger area. According to the measured finger area and the ridge pitch P measured by the ridge pitch measuring means 6, the mode switching means 22 performs image processing and feature point extraction processing in a high resolution and small area mode, or in a low resolution and low resolution mode. Select whether to run in large area mode.

The selection logic here has a high resolution and a small area only when the area of the fingerprint is small and the ridge pitch P of the fingerprint is smaller than a certain value in consideration of the use of a child as shown in FIG. Select the processing in. Furthermore, image processing / feature extraction means 3
Is an image processing mode signal 22a from the mode switching means 22
Thus, one of the high-resolution and small-area and the low-resolution and large-area is selected and executed.

Further, at the time of fingerprint registration, the fingerprint registration means 4 stores only this mode signal 22a together with the fingerprint information, and at the time of fingerprint collation, it operates by inputting a personal identification number or the like.
The fingerprint collation means 5 obtains the mode signal 22a and fingerprint information stored at the time of registration, performs image processing with the mode signal 22a, and performs collation processing with the registered fingerprint information and the fingerprint information at the time of collation.

As described above, in the conventional apparatus, the scanning pitch of image processing is continuously variable only by the ridge pitch P of the fingerprint. However, in actual use, the resolution of about two steps is sufficient. Is provided with a high-resolution and small-area mode or a low-resolution and large-area mode, and further focusing on the finger area, the ridge pitch P and the finger area are used to select the above mode. It is possible to increase the speed and reduce erroneous determination of resolution selection.

Third Embodiment FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the fourth invention of the present invention. 2 to 9 are also used in the third embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 23 denotes a living body (finger) due to capacitance.
Is connected to the mode switching means 22. Except for the above, it is the same as FIG. However,
The finger area measuring means 21 is not used.

Next, the operation of the portion different from that of FIG. 10 will be described. The living body detection device 23 detects a living body (finger) by the capacitance, and sends out an output proportional to the area where the finger is placed to the mode switching means 22. Thus, the living body detection device 2
3 and the ridge pitch P from the ridge pitch measuring means 6, the mode switching means 22 performs image processing and feature point extraction processing in a high resolution and small area mode or a low resolution and large area mode. Select whether to run in mode. Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of FIG.

As described above, the finger is detected by the capacitance, the finger area is output, and the mode is selected based on the ridge pitch P and the finger area. Can be reduced.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the fifth invention of the present invention. 2 to 4, 8 and 9 are also used in the fourth embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 24 denotes a mode input device which comprises a switch or the like and outputs an image processing mode signal 24a for selecting whether to execute the fingerprint image 1a in a high-resolution and small-area mode or a low-resolution and large-area mode. It is. Except for the above, it is the same as FIG. However, the ridge pitch measuring means 6 and the finger area measuring means 21 are not used.

In the conventional apparatus, the image processing mode signal and the ridge pitch information are stored together with the fingerprint information at the time of registration, and the mode signal and the ridge pitch are set at the time of collation in accordance with an operation such as input of a personal identification number. Processing and collation processing are realized. However, recently, a search and collation method in which fingerprint data is retrieved and collated by just placing a finger without inputting a password at the time of collation has begun to be adopted. However, in this search and collation, since the setting information at the time of registration as described above cannot be used, it is necessary to independently obtain the ridge pitch information of the fingerprint and other information also at the time of collation.

At this time, if the ridge pitch information and the mode information do not match at the time of registration and at the time of collation, there occurs a problem that the collation rate is extremely reduced. In the fourth embodiment, in order to cope with the above problem, the mode state is to be input independently. Next, an operation of a portion different from FIG. 10 will be described. When the mode state is input, the mode input device 24 is set by manual operation.

For example, when used by a child, the mode signal 24a is always set to a high resolution and small area mode by turning on the switch, and by turning off the switch for an adult, the mode signal 24a is set to a low resolution and large area. Set to mode. Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of FIG. As described above, since the image processing mode is directly input, the processing mode is reliably selected, and it is possible to eliminate erroneous determination of the image processing mode setting at the time of search and collation.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 13 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the sixth invention of the present invention. 2 to 4, 8 and 9 are also used in the fifth embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a height measuring device for measuring the height by blocking light beams arranged at a certain height when passing the light beam, and is connected to the mode switching means 22. Except for the above, it is the same as FIG. However,
The mode signal 24a from the mode input device 24 to the fingerprint registration device 4 and the signal from the fingerprint registration device 4 to the image processing / feature extraction device 3 are not used.

In this embodiment, the mode switching of the fourth embodiment is automated by more reliable elements. Normally, for adults and children, the height, the ridge pitch of the fingerprint, and the size of the finger are correlated. It is noted that there is.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The height measuring device 25 measures the height of the passerby and sends it to the mode switching means 22. The mode switching means 22 sets the image processing mode signal 22a to a high-resolution and small-area mode when the height is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and sets a low-resolution and large-area mode when the height exceeds the predetermined threshold. Set to mode. Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of FIG.

As described above, since the image processing mode is input based on the height, the processing mode is reliably selected, and it is possible to eliminate erroneous determination of the image processing mode setting at the time of search and collation.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 14 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the seventh invention of the present invention. FIGS. 2 to 4, 8 and 9 are also used in the sixth embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 26 denotes a weight measuring device for measuring the weight when the vehicle is passing through, and is connected to the mode switching means 22. Except for the above, it is the same as FIG. In this embodiment, the mode switching of the fourth embodiment is automated by more reliable factors. Usually, for adults and children, there is a correlation between weight, fingerprint ridge pitch, and finger size. It is a thing which paid attention to.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The weight measuring device 26 measures the weight of the passerby and sends it to the mode switching means 22. The mode switching means 22 sets the image processing mode signal 22a to a high resolution and small area mode when the weight is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and sets a low resolution and large area when the weight exceeds the predetermined threshold. Set to mode. Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of FIG.

As described above, since the image processing mode is input based on the weight, the processing mode is reliably selected, and it is possible to eliminate the erroneous determination of the image processing mode setting at the time of search and collation.

[0053]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a fingerprint image is input, a finger area is measured, and fingerprint comparison is performed only on this finger area. The image processing is not performed with respect to, and the time required for the image processing can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a fingerprint image is inputted, a finger area is measured, and image processing of a fingerprint section image is performed in a high-resolution and small-area mode only for this finger area. In the third invention, the mode is switched according to the finger area and the ridge pitch. In the fourth invention, the mode is selected according to the capacitance of the finger and the ridge pitch. , The speed of image processing can be increased, and erroneous determination of resolution selection can be reduced.

In the fifth invention, the mode is switched by a manual operation. In the sixth invention, the mode is switched according to the height of the passer. In the seventh invention, the mode is switched according to the weight of the passer. Thus, it is possible to reduce erroneous determination of image processing mode selection at the time of search and collation.

In the eighth invention, each step of image storage, finger area measurement, image processing and feature extraction, fingerprint registration and fingerprint collation is provided, and in the ninth invention, a mode switching step is further provided. It is possible to speed up image processing and reduce erroneous determination of resolution selection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of characteristic points of a fingerprint showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a template for detecting a feature point of a fingerprint according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of feature point detection of a fingerprint showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a ridge pitch of a fingerprint showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a ridge pitch measurement position of a fingerprint showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a ridge pitch of a fingerprint and a scanning pitch of image processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of image processing of a child finger according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of image processing of an adult finger according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an overall configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an overall configuration diagram showing Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an overall configuration diagram showing a conventional fingerprint matching device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 fingerprint sensor, 1a to 1c fingerprint image, 2 image memory, 3 image processing / feature extraction means, 4 fingerprint registration means,
5 fingerprint matching means, 6 ridge pitch measuring means, 7 scanning pitch setting means, 8 finger area measuring means, 11 fingerprint ridges, 12, 13 fingerprint feature points, 21 finger area measuring means,
22 mode switching means, 23 living body detecting device. 24 mode input device, 25 height measuring device, 26 weight measuring device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A device for processing a fingerprint image read by a fingerprint sensor to extract and register feature points, and to perform fingerprint matching using the registered fingerprint information. A fingerprint matching device, comprising: finger area measuring means for measuring a finger area determined from a placed position and an area of the finger, and performing the fingerprint matching only on the finger area. 2. A device for processing a fingerprint image read by a fingerprint sensor to extract and register feature points, and for performing fingerprint matching using the registered fingerprint information. A finger region measuring means for measuring a finger region determined from a placed position and the area of the finger; and performing image processing of the fingerprint image only in this finger region in a high-resolution and small-area mode or in a low-resolution mode. And a mode switching means for selecting whether to perform the operation in a large area mode. 3. A finger area measuring means for measuring a finger area from a measured finger area, and a ridge pitch measuring means for inputting the fingerprint image and measuring a ridge pitch of the fingerprint, 3. The fingerprint matching device according to claim 2, wherein the mode switching means is operated based on the finger area and the measured ridge pitch. 4. A living body detecting device for detecting a capacitance of a placed finger, and a ridge pitch measuring unit for inputting a fingerprint image and measuring a ridge pitch of the fingerprint, wherein the measured electrostatic capacitance is provided. 3. The fingerprint matching device according to claim 2, wherein the mode switching means is operated based on the capacitance and the measured ridge pitch. 5. A mode input device for selecting whether image processing of a fingerprint image is performed in a high-resolution and small-area mode or in a low-resolution and large-area mode by a manual operation. The fingerprint matching device according to claim 1, wherein 6. The fingerprint matching device according to claim 2, further comprising a height measuring device for measuring the height of the passerby, and operating the mode switching means based on the measured height. 7. The fingerprint matching device according to claim 2, wherein a weight measuring device for measuring the weight of the passerby is provided, and the mode switching means is operated based on the measured weight. 8. An image storing step of storing a fingerprint image read by a fingerprint sensor, and a finger area measuring step of inputting the fingerprint image and measuring a finger area determined from a position of a finger and an area of the finger. Image processing for inputting the stored fingerprint image, processing the fingerprint image only for the measured finger region, and extracting feature points of the fingerprint.
A fingerprint matching processing method comprising: a feature extracting step; a fingerprint registering step of registering feature points of the extracted fingerprint; and a fingerprint matching step of performing fingerprint matching using the registered fingerprint information. 9. A mode switching step for selecting whether image processing of a fingerprint image is performed in a high-resolution and small-area mode or in a low-resolution and large-area mode is performed by a finger area measuring step and an image processing / feature. 9. The fingerprint matching processing method according to claim 8, wherein the method is inserted during the extracting step.