In this paper, a new approach for fingerprint ridge orientation field matching based on a novelHMM(Hidden
Markov Model) is proposed. The proposed method comprises several steps. First steps are devoted
to regular fingerprint preprocesses and ridge orientation estimation. Then, the fingerprint images are
registered along a reference point. Next, the proposed HMM topology is applied to the predetermined
fingerprint orientation field information around the reference point. The suggested HMM is of improved
training abilities. After applying the proposed HMM to the ridge orientation field, the matching cells are
produced. These cells consist of transition, observation and initial probability matrices which will be used
in the matching procedure. The proposed matching method has been evaluated using some creditable
fingerprint databases such as FVC2000 DB2 A, FVC2004 DB3 A and DB4 A. The evaluation results confirm
higher efficiency, robustness and accuracy for the proposed method compared with the previously
proposed matching ones.