Press Release
March 1, 2001
Image Compression/Decompression Software Added to Fingerprint Product Line
PLANO, Texas — Mentalix, Inc. is now shipping its Fast WSQ API Toolkit. This newest addition to Mentalix’s line of fingerprint products enables integrators and developers to add FBI-certified fingerprint image compression/decompression functionality to custom law enforcement programs, civilian security applications and ID systems. Even for customers who do not require FBI compliance, the industry-preferred WSQ format is the most efficient compression method available for fingerprint data.
Based on the FBI’s Wavelet Scalar Quantization (WSQ) Gray-Scale Fingerprint Image Compression Algorithm standard, Mentalix’s Fast WSQ API Toolkit offers an effective storage solution for fingerprint images. The compression ratio is user-selectable, but 15-20X is typically appropriate for retaining the desired quality level. For example, a single uncompressed fingerprint image scanned from a 500 ppi FBI 10-print fingerprint card is usually 600 KB. The WSQ format compresses this file to approximately 30 KB. Fast WSQ routines convert raw grayscale images to the WSQ format or decompress WSQ images back to raw grayscale data. FBI-certified runtime libraries, which ensure file compatibility and consistency levels for data exchange, are available now for Windows systems. Contact Mentalix at info@mentalix.com for information on certification status for other platforms.
Designed for speed and easy integration, the Fast WSQ API Toolkit includes a ‘C’ Application Programming Interface (API) as well as a sample program and subroutines. Developers can create interfaces for both Windows® and UNIX® systems. The Fast WSQ API Toolkit also works in conjunction with Mentalix’s other fingerprint API products, which provide additional functionality such as FBI-certified fingerprint card scanning, automated fingerprint image cropping and color image scanning for non-fingerprint images such as mug shots. For more product information, contact Mentalix at info@mentalix.com.
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Incorporated in 1987, Mentalix was founded to develop easy-to-use products for the purposes of scanning, editing, and printing photographic images from high-performance workstations. In recent years, Mentalix has applied its software development and imaging expertise to the creation of industry-recognized, FBI-certified fingerprint acquisition solutions. Corporate-wide, Mentalix continues to provide fast, elegant solutions for scientific, technical, GIS, manufacturing, fingerprint analysis, medical, educational, and government industries. Mentalix targets custom, systems integration and off-the-shelf solutions for Windows and a variety of UNIX systems. The company maintains its headquarters north of Dallas in Plano, Texas.
Mentalix and Fast WSQ API Toolkit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mentalix, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark. Windows and Windows NT are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks acknowledged.
Press contact:
Alissa F. Payne
Mentalix, Inc.
(972) 423-9377 Ext. 124
