ISO/IEC 19794-1:2006

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 2006
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 copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO/IEC 2006 – All rights reserved

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

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

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

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:
Data element specification
ISO/IEC 19785-3:―, Information technology – Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework – Part 3:
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

To be published.
© ISO/IEC 2006 – A
...