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Biometric-based
authentication systems and applications are expected to support multiple
biometric devices and biometric data. Products with that level of support
for biometric-based authentication exist today.
A Common Biometric Exchange File Format promotes interoperability
of biometric-based application programs and systems developed by different
vendors by allowing biometric data interchange. CBEFF data can be placed
in a single file used to exchange biometric information between different
system components or between systems.
CBEFF
gives the ability to a system or application to identify different
biometric data structures (public or proprietary) supporting multiple
biometric types within the system or the application. It also gives the
ability to reduce the need for additional software development and the
ability to promote development cost savings. CBEFF also
provides forward compatibility for technology improvements, simplifies the
software/hardware integration process, and describes how new formats can
be created.
The
common set of data elements described in CBEFF can
be placed in a single file record or data object used to exchange
biometric information between different system components (the Common
Biometric Exchange File). Formatting the data (e.g. allowing individual
components to be referenced) allows an application to easily recognize
important processing information about the biometric data such as what
type of biometric is available, what version number, vendor’s name, etc.
Formatting
the data also provides pointers to the proper biometric data.
These characteristics foster interoperability between different
types of biometric systems, allow for the exchange of biometric related
information between different systems, and allow systems with different
requirements to translate between different formats.
The CBEFF architecture includes a
Standard Biometric Header (SBH), a Biometric Specific Memory Block (BSMB)
and Signature Block. Since the BSMB contains biometric data whose content
is not defined CBEFF, a means must exist within the SBH to identify the
format of that data. Within
the SBH, CBEFF defines two fields 'Format Owner' and 'Format Type' which
are the mechanism used for this purpose.
By reading these values, an application or BSP can determine if the
BSMB format is one that it is capable of interpreting and/or processing.
To be used in this way, the Format Owner and Format Type values
must be unique. This is
accomplished through a registration process. The International
Biometric Industry Association (IBIA) has agreed to be the
registration authority - the organization which will manage the
registration, issuance, and archiving of the Format Owner and Format Type
values for Organizations and Vendors which require them.
The IBIA has set up a web based support site, including the
registration and retrieval of CBEFF identifiers. Details of this process
can be found by contacting the IBIA web based support
site, including the registration and
retrieval of CBEFF identifiers.
Home
| Background | Benefits
| Scope | CBEFF
Data Elements
Patron
Biometric File Formats | Format
Owner and Format Type Registration Adding
New CBEFF Patron Formats | Future
Plans Technical
Development Team | Contacts |
Related
Events/Activities
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