To enable extraction of a specific area (pattern area) that includes a characteristic part of the inherent pattern of individual fingerprint from an inputted fingerprint image of a human being or other creature. The pattern area is extracted as the minimum area that is surrounded by a right pattern area slope, a left pattern area slope, and pattern area bases. The right (left) pattern area slope is a fingerprint ridge which runs towards the outside on the right (left) side from the start point that is located on the upper side of the center point of the fingerprint image, and satisfies a prescribed condition. The pattern area base is a fingerprint ridge which runs on the lower side of the center and satisfies a prescribed condition.