ISO IEC 39794-1-2019 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 39794-1:2019 — Information technology — Extensible biometric data interchange formats — Part 1: Framework. This part defines the framework, common data elements, data structures and conformance testing concepts used to build extensible biometric data interchange formats (both tagged binary and textual) that remain extensible without invalidating previous data structures.

Abstract

Part 1 of ISO/IEC 39794 provides rules and guidelines for defining extensible biometric data interchange formats. It specifies the meaning of common data elements, common data structures for tagged binary formats (based on ASN.1) and for textual formats (based on an XML schema), and describes conformance testing concepts and methodologies for syntactic conformance of biometric data blocks. The document establishes the framework and metadata conventions used across the ISO/IEC 39794 series.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 20 December 2019
• Publisher: ISO / IEC (ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 - Biometrics)
• ICS / categories: 35.240.15
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2019)
• Number of pages: 56

Scope

This document defines a framework for creating extensible biometric data interchange formats so that future extensions do not invalidate existing data structures. It standardizes common data elements and metadata (for example capture date/time and degree of processing), specifies canonical tagged binary encodings (ASN.1 / TLV-style) and an equivalent XML textual representation, and describes conformance testing approaches for verifying syntactic correctness of biometric data blocks. It serves as the foundation for the specific biometric modality parts in the ISO/IEC 39794 series.

Key topics and requirements

• Rules and guidelines for extensible data format design to preserve backward compatibility.
• Definition of common data elements and their semantics for biometric interchange.
• Common binary data structures based on ASN.1 and tagged TLV encodings.
• Common textual data structures based on XML schema definitions.
• Metadata conventions (capture date/time, device identifiers, degree of processing, quality indicators).
• Conformance testing concepts, test assertions and methodologies for syntactic conformance.
• Guidance for mapping modality-specific content to the framework specified in Part 1.

Typical use and users

Implementers of biometric capture and interchange systems, biometric algorithm and SDK vendors, national identity and border control agencies, ePassport and identity document manufacturers, systems integrators, test laboratories and conformance testers, and standards developers use this framework to ensure interoperable, extensible exchange of biometric data across modalities and systems.

Related standards

Other parts of the ISO/IEC 39794 series (modality-specific formats) — for example ISO/IEC 39794-4 (Finger image data), ISO/IEC 39794-5 (Face image data), ISO/IEC 39794-6 (Iris image data) and later parts covering vascular, full-body, gait and other biometric modalities. Also related are the earlier ISO/IEC 19794 series (legacy biometric interchange formats) and transition guidance documents (for example ISO/IEC TRs providing transition examples between 19794 and 39794 families).

Keywords

biometrics, data interchange, extensible format, ASN.1, TLV, XML schema, metadata, conformance testing, interoperability, ISO/IEC 39794, biometric framework

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 39794-1:2019 is the framework part of the extensible biometric data interchange formats series; it defines common data elements, data structures (binary and textual) and conformance testing approaches used by the series.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers rules and guidelines for designing extensible biometric interchange formats, the semantics of shared data elements, ASN.1-based tagged binary structures, equivalent XML schema representations, metadata conventions, and concepts/methods for syntactic conformance testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Biometric system vendors, identity document issuers, border control agencies, implementers of biometric file formats, test labs, integrators and standards developers who need interoperable, extensible biometric data exchange.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published, ISO/IEC 39794-1:2019 is the first edition (published December 2019). Standards are typically subject to periodic review; users should check with the national standards body or ISO for any amendments or revisions since publication when confirming current status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 (Framework) of the ISO/IEC 39794 series, which includes modality-specific parts (e.g., parts for fingerprint, face, iris, vascular and others) and replaces/updates concepts from the earlier ISO/IEC 19794 series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Extensible biometric format, ASN.1, XML schema, biometric metadata, data interchange, conformance testing, interoperability.