ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006

Information technology — Biometric data interchange formats — Part 1: Framework

Standardized biometric data interchange formats are crucial to the interoperability of biometric components. ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006 describes general aspects of biometric data interchange formats and specifies requirements to be taken into account in standardizing specific formats. It classifies biometric data according to their processing level and establishes a naming concept for biometric data interchange formats on this basis.

Technologies de l'information — Formats d'échange de données biométriques — Partie 1: Cadre général

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Mar-2006
• ICS: 35.040 - Information coding
• ICS: 35.240.15 - Identification cards. Chip cards. Biometrics
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 - Biometrics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 - Biometrics
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Completion Date: 25-Oct-2011

Relations

• Revised: ISO/IEC 19794-1:2011 - Information technology — Biometric data interchange formats — Part 1: Framework
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 19794-1
First edition
2006-04-01


Information technology — Biometric data
interchange formats —
Part 1:
Framework
Technologies de l'information — Formats d'échange de données
biométriques —
Partie 1: Cadre général




Reference number
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)
©
ISO/IEC 2006

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.



©  ISO/IEC 2006
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland

ii © ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions.1
4     Abbreviated terms.4
5 General biometric system .4
5.1 Conceptual diagram of general biometric system.4
5.2 Conceptual components of a general biometric system .5
5.2.1 Data capture subsystem .5
5.2.2 Transmission subsystem.5
5.2.3 Signal processing subsystem.5
5.2.4 Data storage subsystem .5
5.2.5 Matching subsystem .5
5.2.6 Decision subsystem .5
5.2.7 Administration subsystem .6
5.2.8 Interface.6
5.3 Functions of general biometric system.6
5.3.1 Enrolment.6
5.3.2 Verification .7
5.3.3 Identification.7
6 Usage context of biometric data interchange formats.8
7 General aspects of the usage of biometric data for interchange.8
7.1 Introduction .8
7.2 Natural variability .8
7.3 Aging and usage duration .9
7.4 Enrolment conditions.9
7.5 Feature extraction algorithms.9
7.6 Feature matching algorithms.9
7.7 Capture device type ID.9
7.8 Multi-modal data structures.9
8 Processing level of data formats for interchange.9
8.1 Processing levels according to ISO/IEC 19785-1.9
8.2 Sensor data.10
8.3 Image data.10
8.4 Behavioural data .10
8.5 Feature data.10
8.6 Naming concept for biometric data structures .11
8.7 Requirements for standardizing biometric data formats .11
9 Multi-biometrics.11
10 Sensor requirements.12
11 Format owner and format types .12
11.1 Format owner.12
11.2 Format types.12
Annex A (informative) Examples of matching scenarios .13
Bibliography.15
© ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commis-
sion) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or
IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the
respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees
collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-governmental,
in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work. In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have
established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of the joint technical committee is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Stan-
dards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/IEC 19794-1 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, Sub-
committee SC 37, Biometrics.
ISO/IEC 19794 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information technology — Biometric data
interchange formats:
 Part 1: Framework
 Part 2: Finger minutiae data
 Part 3: Finger pattern spectral data
 Part 4: Finger image data
 Part 5: Face image data
 Part 6: Iris image data
 Part 7: Signature/sign time series data
 Part 8: Finger pattern skeletal data
 Part 9: Vascular image data
 Part 10: Hand geometry silhouette data

The following part is under preparation:
 Part 11: Signature/sign processed dynamic data
iv © ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)


Introduction
This part of ISO/IEC 19794 is intended to describe the general aspects and requirements for defining biomet-
ric data interchange formats.
The notation and transfer formats provide platform independence and separation of transfer syntax from con-
tent definition. This part of ISO/IEC 19794 defines what is commonly applied for biometric data formats,
i.e. the standardization of the common content, meaning, and representation of biometric data formats of
biometric types considered in the specific parts of ISO/IEC 19794.
Figure 1 shows the interrelation of biometric-related ISO/IEC standardization fields. Biometric data
complying with a biometric data interchange format of ISO/IEC 19794 represent the core component of
biometric interoperability. Biometric formats frameworks such as ISO/IEC 19785 (CBEFF) serve as a wrapper
around biometric data. Since biometric data are sensitive data and subject to attack, cryptographic protection
is required in interchange environments. Biometric properties with respect to profiles, security evaluation and
performance also play an important role. Biometric interfaces are essential to facilitate easy integration and
usage of biometric components. The emerging harmonized vocabulary is recommended for use in describing
biometric technology. The deployment of applications using biometric verification or identification takes place
within the context of societal and cross-jurisdictional requirements.
SocSociietaletal andand JJuurriisdisdicctitionalonal Iss Issuesues
HHaarrmmononiizzed Bied Biomometretriic Vc Voocacabubullaarryy
BBiiometriometricc IInntterferfaacesces
((BBiiooAPIAPI,, BBioAMioAMI, CI, Caarrdd Inter Interffacace, .)e, .)
BBiioommeetrtriicc SystemSystem PrProoperpertitieses
((BBiioommeetrtriicc Pr Profofiilleses,, SSececururiittyy EEvvaalluatiuation, on,
PerPerfforormmanancce Ee Evvalaluatiuatioon)n)
BiBioommetretriic c
DDaata Securta Securiityty AtAttritributesbutes
((CConfonfidentialidentialityity,, IntegriIntegrittyy))
BiBiomometretriicc FForormmaatsts
FFrramamewoeworrkk ( (CCBEBEFFFF, LD, LDS)S)
BioBiomemetrtric Daic Datata
InterIntercchhangeange FFoorrmmatsats

Figure 1 — General interrelation model of biometric issues

© ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved v

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)

Information technology — Biometric data interchange
formats —
Part 1:
Framework

1 Scope
This part of ISO/IEC 19794 specifies
 general aspects for the usage of biometric data structures,
 the types of biometric data structure,
 a naming concept for biometric data structures,
 a coding scheme for format types.
Biometric data include but are not limited to finger minutiae, finger pattern, finger image, face image, iris
image and signature/sign behavioural data.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated refer-
ences, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 7816-11:2004, Identification cards – Integrated circuit cards – Part 11: Personal verification through
biometric methods
ISO/IEC 19785-1:―, Information technology – Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework – Part 1:
1
Data element specification
ISO/IEC 19785-3:―, Information technology – Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework – Part 3:
1
Patron format specifications
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
biometric
pertaining to the field of biometrics

1
  To be published.
© ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved 1

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)
3.2
biometrics
automated recognition of living persons based on observation of behavioural and biological (anatomical and
physiological) characteristics
3.3
biometric algorithm
sequence of instructions that tell a biometric system how to solve a particular problem
NOTE A biometric algorithm will have a finite number of steps and is typically used by the biometric system software
to decide whether biometric verification or identification data and a biometric template match.
3.4
biometric behavioural data
biometric data resulting from a dynamic action of the user
EXAMPLE data resulting from writing, speaking, or typing
3.5
biometric data
any data representing a biometric characteristic
EXAMPLE sensor data, image data, behavioural data, feature data
3.6
biometric feature
representation of a biometric characteristic that can be used by a biometric algorithm for the purpose of com-
paring data sets of the same biometric type with each other
NOTE The biometric feature may be composed of individual biometric feature data units.
3.7
biometric feature data unit
smallest individual unit of extracted feature data
EXAMPLE minutia of a fingerprint
3.8
biometric feature extraction
process of converting pre-processed sensor data into a biometric template, verification or identification data so
that it can be compared with other extracted feature data
3.9
biometric identification
one-to-many process of comparing submitted biometric data against all records of a database to determine
whether it matches and, if so, to identify the respective person
3.10
biometric identification data
data acquired during an identification process for comparison with several biometric templates
3.11
biometric image data
pre-processed biometric data that result from the presentation of a physiological (i.e. static) biometric feature
of a user and are represented by pixels in a spatial coordinate system
EXAMPLE fingerprint image data
2 © ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)
3.12
biometric information
information needed by the feature extraction and data formatting components of a biometric system to con-
struct the biometric verification or identification data
3.13
biometric template
biometric sample or combination of biometric samples that is suitable for storage as a reference for future
comparison
3.14
biometric sample
information obtained from a biometric device, either directly or after processing
3.15
biometric system
automated system capable of capturing biometric sensor data from a user, extracting feature data from that
processed acquired data, comparing the processed feature data with those contained in one or more biometric
templates, deciding how well they match, and indicating whether or not an identification or verification of iden-
tity has been achieved
3.16
biometric type
type of biometric technology
EXAMPLE fingerprint
3.17
biometric verification
automated process of assessing a claim that submitted biometric sample(s) and a stored biometric template
are from the same source
3.18
biometric verification data
data acquired during a verification process for comparison with the biometric template
3.19
enrolment
process of collecting biometric data from a person and the subsequent preparation and storage of biometric
templates representing that person's identity
3.20
intermediate biometric sample
biometric sample obtained by processing an acquired biometric sample, intended for further processing
3.21
matching
process of comparing biometric data with a previously stored biometric template and scoring the level of
similarity
NOTE An accept or reject decision is then based on whether this score exceeds the given threshold.
3.22
processed biometric sample
biometric sample suitable for comparison
© ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved 3

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)
3.23
acquired biometric sample
raw biometric sample
biometric sample obtained directly from an individual by means of a biometric capture device
4   Abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the following abbreviated terms apply.
API Application Programming Interface
BDB Biometric Data Block
CBEFF Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework
IBIA International Biometric Industry Association
LDS Logical Data Structure
SB Signature Block
SBH Standard Biometric Header
5 General biometric system
5.1  Conceptual diagram of general biometric system
Given the variety of applications and technologies, it might seem difficult to draw any generalizations about
biometric systems. All such systems, however, have many elements in common. Biometric samples are ac-
quired from a subject by a sensor. The sensor output is sent to a processor which extracts the distinctive but
repeatable measures of the sample (the “features”), discarding all other components. The resulting features
can be stored in the database as a “template”, or compared to a specific template, many templates or all tem-
plates already in the database to determine if there is a match. A decision regarding the identity claim is made
based upon the similarity between the sample features and those of the template or templates compared.
Figure 2 illustrates the information flow within a general biometric system, showing a general biometric system
consisting of data capture, signal processing, storage, matching and decision subsystems. This diagram

Data
Data
Matching
Decision
Storage
Capture

Enrolment
Matching
Database
Identity Similarity
Template
Claim Score(s)
Signal

Presentation
Template
Processing
Match? Candidate?
Template
Candidate
Match/
Creation
Threshold List
Non-match
Biometric
Characteristics
Features
Verified? Identified?
Quality Control
Re-acquire
Se nsor Feature Extraction
Decision
Segmentation
Criteria

Sample
Verification Identification
Outcome Outcome
Enrolment
Verification

Identification
Figure 2 — Components of general biometric system
4 © ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006(E)
illustrates both enrolment, and the operation of verification and identification systems. The following
subclauses describe each of these subsystems in more detail. It should be noted that, in any real biometric
system, these conceptual components may not exist or may not directly correspond to the physical
components.
5.2  Conceptual components of a general biometric system
5.2.1 Data capture subsystem
The data capture subsystem collects an image or signal of a subject’s biometric characteristics that they have
presented to the biometric sensor, and outputs this image/signal as a biometric sample.
5.2.2 Transmission subsystem
The transmission subsystem (not portrayed in diagram, not always present or visibly present in a biometric
system) will transmit samples, features, and/or templates between different subsystems. Samples, features or
templates may be transmitted using standard biometric data interchange formats. The biometric sample may
be compressed and/or encrypted before transmission, and expanded and/or decrypt
...