ISO IEC 19794-1-2011 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO IEC 19794-1-2011 — Information technology — Biometric data interchange formats — Part 1: Framework. This part defines the general framework, concepts and requirements used to specify biometric data interchange formats (notation and transfer formats), establishing platform independence and the separation of transfer syntax from content definition for the ISO/IEC 19794 family of biometric data format standards.

Abstract

ISO/IEC 19794-1:2011 specifies the general aspects and requirements for defining biometric data interchange formats, including classification of biometric data by processing level, a naming concept for format types, and guidance for binary and XML encoding. It provides the common content, meaning and representation principles that the modality-specific parts of ISO/IEC 19794 apply.

General information

• Status: Published; edition confirmed (last reviewed/confirmed 2024).
• Publication date: July 2011 (Edition 2).
• Publisher: Joint ISO/IEC publication (developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 — Biometrics).
• ICS / categories: 35.240.15 (Identification cards and related devices; biometrics).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2011).
• Number of pages: 27 pages (base publication).

Scope

This part of ISO/IEC 19794 establishes the framework used to define biometric data interchange formats: it describes general system concepts, conformance principles, processing levels of biometric data formats, multibiometrics considerations, capture-device requirements, the concept of format owner and format types, and provides both a binary encoding scheme and an XML encoding framework (amendments expand conformance testing methodology and XML encoding). It is intended to be applied by the modality-specific parts of ISO/IEC 19794 to ensure consistent, interoperable exchange of biometric data.

Key topics and requirements

• Framework and terminology for biometric data interchange formats (common content and representation rules).
• Classification of biometric data by processing level (raw samples, processed samples, templates, etc.).
• Conformance and testing methodology (amendment for conformance testing introduced).
• Binary encoding scheme for format types and an XML encoding framework (XML framework added/clarified via amendment).
• Multibiometrics handling and guidance for capture device requirements and metadata.
• Format ownership and naming conventions to support interoperable implementations across vendors and systems.

Typical use and users

Used by biometric system designers, device manufacturers, software vendors, government identity programs, border control and passport authorities, law-enforcement and forensic agencies, testing and certification bodies, and integrators who need interoperable biometric data exchange formats. Modality-specific parts of the 19794 series (for example face, fingerprint, iris, vascular, etc.) apply the framework when defining their record formats for practical deployments such as e‑passports, ID systems and matching engines.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 19794-1 is the framework part of the broader ISO/IEC 19794 series (modality-specific parts include fingerprints, face image data (19794-5), iris, vascular and others). Conformance-testing guidance for 19794 formats is provided in the ISO/IEC 29109 series (general methodology and modality-specific parts). Amendments to 19794-1 (2013 and 2015) add conformance testing methodology and XML encoding framework.

Keywords

biometric data, data interchange format, framework, ISO/IEC 19794, conformance testing, binary encoding, XML encoding, multibiometrics, capture device requirements, format types.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 19794-1:2011 is the framework part of the ISO/IEC 19794 family that defines the general principles, terminology and requirements used when specifying biometric data interchange formats.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers high-level concepts for biometric-record formats, processing-level classification, naming and ownership of formats, conformance principles, capture-device metadata, and both binary and XML encoding approaches; modality-specific parts of the series apply the framework to define concrete record formats.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Developers and vendors of biometric hardware and software, system integrators, government identity and border-control authorities, forensic and law-enforcement agencies, and testing/certification bodies that require interoperable biometric data exchange.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/IEC 19794-1:2011 (Edition 2) is the current published edition for Part 1 and was last reviewed/confirmed in 2024; it has received amendments (2013, 2015) that add conformance testing and XML encoding material. Users should confirm whether later revisions or related new series items exist for specific modalities.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 (the framework) of the ISO/IEC 19794 series; other parts define specific modalities (for example Part 5 for face image data) and together they provide the complete set of biometric interchange format specifications.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Biometric data interchange, framework, conformance, encoding (binary/XML), multibiometrics, processing levels, format types, capture device metadata.