ISO/IEC 19794-1:2011

Overview

ISO/IEC 19794-1:2011 - "Information technology - Biometric data interchange formats - Part 1: Framework" defines the general framework for creating interoperable biometric data interchange formats. It specifies high-level aspects and requirements used across the ISO/IEC 19794 family so different biometric modalities (fingerprint, face, iris, voice, etc.) can share a common approach to content, meaning, representation and transfer. The standard promotes platform independence by separating transfer syntax from content definition and harmonizing headers and naming conventions used in biometric records.

Key Topics

• General aspects for biometric data usage: guidance on how biometric records should be structured and used for interchange and interoperability.
• Processing levels and data types: classification of biometric data from captured samples through image/behavioural data to extracted feature data and templates.
• Naming conventions: standardized naming for biometric data structures to reduce ambiguity when exchanging data between systems.
• Coding scheme for format types: mechanisms to identify format types and structure of biometric data records, including common header elements and representation headers.
• Biometric data records and blocks: definitions for BDIR (biometric data interchange record) and BDB (biometric data block) consistent with CBEFF concepts.
• Multibiometrics and capture device requirements: considerations for records containing multiple modalities and minimum expectations from capture devices.
• Format ownership and types: roles of format owners and types of formats referenced across the ISO/IEC 19794 parts.
• Supporting material: informative annexes (e.g., examples of comparison scenarios) and normative references like ISO/IEC 19785 and ISO/IEC 29794-1.

Applications

ISO/IEC 19794-1 is intended for organizations that design, implement or evaluate biometric systems and data interchange protocols:

• Biometric system developers and integrators - to ensure records they produce/consume are interoperable.
• Government agencies and border control - for standardizing biometric data in travel documents, national ID, and immigration systems.
• Security architects and vendors - to align biometric templates, capture devices, and data exchange workflows with accepted formats.
• Forensics, law enforcement and healthcare - to exchange biometric evidence or identity data between agencies and suppliers.
• Standards bodies and test labs - as the framework that other parts of ISO/IEC 19794 build on (finger, face, iris, voice, etc.).

Keywords: ISO/IEC 19794-1, biometric data interchange formats, biometric interoperability, biometric templates, feature extraction, CBEFF.

Related Standards

• ISO/IEC 19794 (other parts: fingerprints, face, iris, voice, etc.)
• ISO/IEC 19785 (CBEFF - Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework)
• ISO/IEC 19784 (BioAPI)
• ISO/IEC 29794-1 (Biometric sample quality - Framework)