To provide a surface shape recognition device and its method capable of recognizing a surface shape of minute unevenness of a human fingerprint or an animal muzzlepattern with a relatively small detection area, and of securing cost reduction and reliability. 人問の指紋や動物の鼻紋など微細な凹凸の表面形状を、比較的小さい検出面積で認識できるとともに、低コスト化と信頼性を確保できるようにする。 - 特許庁