A real time image reconstruction algorithm for an integrated fingerprint sensor

An algorithm developed to reconstruct the fingerprint image from data sampled fingerprint sensor is presented. The sensor, based on skin resistivity includes a single horizontal line of 256 pixels and a vertical line of 16 pixels. The fingertip is swiped over the horizontal line while the 16 vertical pixels measure the swiping speed in order to reconstruct the fingerprint. The algorithm is based on parallelism in the reading of the pixels on horizontal line. In order to decrease the processing time and to minimize the circuit surface, the algorithm reconstructs the fingerprint in real time. The robustness of the algorithm is revealed by testing it on a wounded finger tip. The digital module is coded in VHDL, synthesized and simulated.