Footprint-based biometric verification

We investigate the potential of foot biometric features based on geometry, shape, and texture and present algorithms for a prototype rotation invariant verification system. An introduction to origins and fields of application for footprint-based personal recognition is accompanied by a comparison with traditional hand biometry systems. Image enhancement and feature extraction steps emphasizing specific characteristics of foot geometry and their permanence and distinctiveness properties, respectively, are discussed. Collectability and universality issues are considered as well. A visualization of various test results comparing discriminative power of foot shape and texture is given. The impact on real-world scenarios is pointed out, and a summary of results is presented. (C) 2008 SPIE and IS&T.