Overview
ISO/IEC 19784-2:2007 specifies the Biometric Archive Function Provider Interface (BAFPI) for the BioAPI framework. It defines the API between a Biometric Service Provider (BSP) and a Biometric Archive Function Provider (BAFP). A BAFP encapsulates storage, search and management of biometric reference data (BIRs) and presents a consistent database-like interface to BSPs regardless of the physical storage media (databases, smartcards, web services, files, tokens).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Interface scope: Standardizes calls for attaching/detaching BAFPs and biometric units, managing databases and records, and moving BIRs between BSP and archive.
- Data structures: Defined schemas include:
- BioAFPI_BAFPPropertySchema - reports BAFP capabilities (MaxRecordLength, MaxRecordNumber, MaxDatabases, MaxResponseTime, SupportedPowerModes).
- BioAFPI_UnitPropertySchema - identifies individual archive units (DbUuid, DbName) and unit capabilities.
- BioAFPI_EventHandler - callback signature for asynchronous unit events (e.g., smartcard insertion/removal).
- Function categories:
- General BAFP management: BioAFPI_BAFPLoad, BioAFPI_BAFPUnload, BioAFPI_UnitAttach, BioAFPI_UnitDetach, BioAFPI_QueryUnits, BioAFPI_Free
- Unit management: BioAFPI_ControlUnit, BioAFPI_Cancel, BioAFPI_SetPowerMode
- Database management: BioAFPI_DbOpen, BioAFPI_DbClose, BioAFPI_DbCreate, BioAFPI_DbDelete
- Record/data management: BioAFPI_DbSetMarker, BioAFPI_DbFreeMarker, BioAFPI_DbStoreBIR, BioAFPI_DbGetBIR, BioAFPI_DbGetNextBIR, BioAFPI_DbQueryBIR, BioAFPI_DbDeleteBIR
- Conformance: A conformant BAFP must support all functions and parameters specified in the standard; no subsets are defined.
- Design principle: The archive is presented as a database abstraction so BSPs need not implement media-specific logic.
- Out of scope: The standard does not define security or privacy requirements for storage and management of BIRs.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Biometric software vendors building BSPs that must interoperate with multiple storage back-ends.
- BAFP implementers creating archive providers for databases, smartcards, tokens, cloud storage or hybrid systems.
- System integrators and architects designing interoperable biometric systems that separate biometric processing from storage concerns.
- Device and card manufacturers who implement on-card storage accessed through a standardized archive interface.
- Certification and testing teams verifying BioAPI-compliant archive behavior.
Practical benefits include easier integration across vendors, reduced development cost for BSPs, modular archive implementations, and predictable behavior when moving BIRs between systems.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 19784-1 (BioAPI specification) - provides the high-level BioAPI model that Part 2 extends by specifying the archive/provider interface.
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