ISO IEC 19794-4-2011 amd2-2015 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Biometric data interchange formats — Part 4: Finger image data — ISO/IEC 19794-4:2011 with Amendment 2: 2015 (XML encoding and clarification of defects). This entry refers to the 2011 second edition of the Finger Image Data part together with its Amendment 2 published in 2015, which adds XML encoding options and resolves identified defects in the 2011 text.

Abstract

ISO/IEC 19794-4:2011 specifies a standardized data-record interchange format for storing, recording and transmitting one or more finger (and palm) image areas for use in biometric verification and identification systems. Amendment 2 (2015) introduces an XML encoding for the finger-image data elements and provides clarifications and corrections of defects identified in the 2011 edition. The amendment does not replace the core 2011 content but augments it with encoding and editorial clarifications.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; includes Amendment 2).
• Publication date: Base standard published December 2011; Amendment 2 published November/December 2015 (2015-12).
• Publisher: ISO/IEC (JTC 1/SC 37 Biometrics).
• ICS / categories: 35.240.15 (Identification cards; Biometrics).
• Edition / version: ISO/IEC 19794-4:2011 (2nd edition) with Amendment 2 (2015).
• Number of pages: Base standard: 91 pages; Amendment 2 document: 23 pages.

Publication and bibliographic details as recorded by the ISO/IEC publications.

Scope

This part of ISO/IEC 19794 defines the content, format and units of measurement for exchanging finger (and palm) image data for biometric comparison and matching. It specifies record structure, required and optional data elements, image capture parameters (resolution, bit depth), permitted image compression methods and constraints, and mapping into a CBEFF (ISO/IEC 19785-1) data structure. Amendment 2 adds an XML encoding option for the finger-image data and clarifies defects in the original text.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized file/record layout for one or more finger/palm image areas and their descriptive fields (capture device, capture resolution, impression type, platen size, etc.).
• Image resolution and units (typical nominal resolutions include 500 ppi / 197 ppcm and optional support for higher resolution scans such as 1000 ppi / 394 ppcm where noted).
• Permitted compression algorithms and rules (e.g., WSQ commonly specified for 500 ppi grayscale, JPEG 2000 for some higher-resolution uses, PNG where applicable) and maximum compression ratio guidance for WSQ.
• Required metadata fields (e.g., impression type, finger position, image quality indicators) and constraints for interoperability and automated processing.
• Conformance and testability: definition of normative elements, mandatory versus optional fields, and clarifications introduced by amendment documents.
• XML encoding of the finger-image data record introduced by Amendment 2 to support XML-based transport and integration scenarios.

Typical use and users

Vendors of fingerprint capture devices and AFIS/biometric matching systems, system integrators, national border control and immigration authorities, law enforcement agencies, identity management program teams, and laboratories performing conformance testing. The standard is used when exchanging fingerprint images between systems or organizations to ensure consistent formatting, compression handling and metadata semantics.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 19794 (the overall Biometric Data Interchange Formats family) — other parts (for example, Part 2: Finger minutiae, Part 3: Finger pattern spectral data, Part 5: Face image data, Part 6: Iris image data); ISO/IEC 19785-1 (CBEFF – Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework); normative references for compression and image formats such as ISO 15444 (JPEG 2000). The 2011 part has associated corrigenda and Amendment 1 (2013) and Amendment 2 (2015) that refine conformance and encoding.

Keywords

fingerprint, finger image, palm image, biometric data interchange, ISO/IEC 19794-4, XML encoding, WSQ, JPEG 2000, CBEFF, AFIS, biometric interchange format.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is ISO/IEC 19794-4:2011 — the Finger Image Data part of the ISO/IEC 19794 Biometric Data Interchange Formats family — together with Amendment 2 published in 2015, which supplies XML encoding and clarifications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: The standard covers the structure and content of records used to store and transmit finger and palm image areas for biometric matching, including required metadata, image capture parameters, permitted compressions and encoding options; Amendment 2 adds a standardized XML encoding and clarifies prior defects.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Biometric hardware and software vendors, integrators, government identity programs, border control and law enforcement agencies, and testing laboratories that need interoperable fingerprint image exchange between systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of the last ISO review record, ISO/IEC 19794-4:2011 (with its amendments) remains the published and confirmed edition (the publication and amendment remain current until formally revised or withdrawn). Users should check ISO or their national standards body for any further revisions after 2015.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 4 of the ISO/IEC 19794 series (Biometric Data Interchange Formats). The series includes multiple parts covering different biometric modalities and data types, and works together with ISO/IEC 19785-1 (CBEFF) for containerization.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Finger image, fingerprint, biometric interchange, WSQ, JPEG 2000, XML encoding, CBEFF, ISO/IEC 19794-4, amendment.