Sweat Gland Pore Data for Fine Ridge-Line Reconstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fingerprint processing apparatuses struggle to accurately connect sweat glands when ridge lines are extremely curved or when sweat gland pores cannot be partially extracted, making it difficult to draw fine ridge lines with high accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that acquires and processes sweat gland pore information, including position and direction information, using O-rings and C-rings to extract sweat gland pores, and employs error tolerance ranges to ensure accurate matching and drawing of quasi ridge lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional sweat gland connection methods are used, then the process is simple, but the accuracy of ridge line drawing deteriorates when ridge lines are extremely curved or when sweat gland pores cannot be partially extracted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveridge line drawing accuracyVSAvoidprocessing method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using probabilistic reasoning and confidence scores as mediators between sweat gland pore detection and ridge line connection. Instead of directly connecting detected pores, the system calculates confidence scores based on geometric relationships and probabilistically determines connections, thereby improving accuracy while managing complexity through a structured intermediate processing layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by introducing confidence score thresholds and probabilistic metrics to evaluate potential sweat gland connections. By adjusting these parameters dynamically based on image quality and ridge curvature, the system adapts its connection criteria to maintain high accuracy across varying conditions without requiring completely different processing methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If sweat gland pores are strictly extracted, then extraction precision is high, but connectivity is lost when pores are partially extracted or missing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesweat gland connection reliabilityVSAvoidsweat gland pore information loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by preparing alternative connection paths and confidence score calculations in advance. When pores are partially extracted or missing, the pre-established probabilistic framework and multiple potential connection routes allow the system to compensate for information loss without compromising connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by calculating confidence scores for potential connections without requiring complete pore extraction. The system performs sufficient (but not necessarily complete) pore detection and uses the available partial information combined with probabilistic reasoning to establish reliable connections, accepting that some pore information may be incomplete

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional ridge line drawing methods are used, then processing speed is fast, but accuracy deteriorates for extremely curved ridge lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefine ridge line accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ridge line drawing process into discrete steps: pore detection, confidence score calculation, connection determination, and line drawing. This segmentation allows the system to focus computational resources on critical accuracy-determining steps while maintaining efficient processing through modular operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by pre-calculating confidence scores and evaluating potential connections before finalizing ridge line drawing. This preliminary evaluation ensures that only high-confidence connections are drawn, improving accuracy for curved ridges while the pre-organized data structures maintain processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3979191B1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 NEC CORP
  • EP3979191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3979191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3979191B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Provided are an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium capable of drawing a fine ridge line with high accuracy. The information processing apparatus includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires sweat gland pore information including position information about a sweat gland pore extracted from an image including a skin marking and directional information about the sweat gland pore for each of the sweat gland pores; and a ridge line drawing unit that draws a quasi ridge line based on the sweat gland pore information.