ISO/IEC 39794-2:2023 PDF

Information technology — Extensible biometric data interchange formats — Part 2: Finger minutiae data

First page of standard ISO/IEC 39794-2:2023

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Title (English):

ISO/IEC 39794-2:2023

Information technology — Extensible biometric data interchange formats — Part 2: Finger minutiae data

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 79
Publication date:: September 21, 2023
Edition:: ISO/IEC IS 39794 edition 1 version 1
ICS:: 35.240.15

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Description (English):

This document specifies: — generic extensible data interchange formats for the representation of finger minutia data: — a tagged binary data format based on an extensible specification in ASN.1, — a textual data format based on an XML schema definition that is capable of holding the same information as the tagged binary format, and — an on-card biometric comparison format based on extensible TLV encoding; — on-card biometric comparison parameters based on extensible TLV encoding for constructing valid probe data in the on-card biometric comparison format; — examples of data record contents; — application-specific requirements, recommendations and best practices in determining minutiae location, direction and type; and — conformance test assertions and conformance test procedures applicable to this document. NOTE Whereas ISO/IEC 39794-4 covers finger, palm, toe and foot image data, this document covers only finger minutiae and is not applicable to palms, toes or feet.

Technical details

Technical committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 - Biometrics
SKU: ISO/IEC 39794-2:2023

Abstract

Overview

ISO/IEC 39794-2:2023 defines an extensible, interoperable data interchange format specifically for finger minutiae (fingerprint minutiae) data. It standardizes how minutiae (ridge endings, bifurcations, cores, deltas and related attributes) are represented, encoded and exchanged between biometric systems. The standard provides both a tagged binary format (ASN.1 / DER-style TLV) and a textual XML encoding capable of holding the same information, plus an on‑card biometric comparison format optimized for smartcards and secure elements.

Note: ISO/IEC 39794-2 covers only finger minutiae - it is not applicable to palms, toes or feet (see ISO/IEC 39794-4 for image data across fingers, palms, toes and feet).

Key topics and technical requirements

Extensible encodings
- Tagged binary encoding based on ASN.1 and TLV semantics for compact interchange.
- XML Schema Definition (XSD) for textual interchange and human readability.
- On‑card biometric comparison format encoded with extensible TLV for secure, constrained environments.
Minutiae representation
- Specifications for minutia location, direction/angle, type (ridge ending, bifurcation, unique minutia, trifurcation encoding) and placement conventions (core/delta placement).
- Coordinate systems and conventions to ensure consistent interpretation across devices.
Supporting data elements
- Capture metadata (device model, capture date/time, spatial sampling rate, impression type).
- Quality blocks, zonal quality, ridge counts (generic, 4-neighbour, 8-neighbour), PAD (presentation attack detection) data, and vendor‑specific blocks.
On‑card matching parameters
- Parameters and rules for constructing valid probe data and performing biometric comparison on smartcards or secure elements.
Conformance
- Normative conformance assertions, conformance test procedures, and encoding examples (annexes provide formal specs, test methodology and examples).

Practical applications and users

Who uses it
- Biometric middleware and system integrators, fingerprint sensor and device manufacturers, smartcard and secure element developers, law enforcement and forensic labs, border control and government identity programs, and vendors implementing on-card matching.
Why it’s used
- Enables interoperability between different vendors and devices.
- Provides extensibility so new attributes can be added without breaking compatibility.
- Supports compact binary exchange, readable XML, and secure on‑card matching workflows.
- Facilitates standardized quality metrics and conformance testing for reliable deployments.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 39794 (series) - third-generation extensible biometric interchange formats.
ISO/IEC 39794-4 - finger, palm, toe and foot image data (complements minutiae-focused Part 2).
Legacy references: ISO/IEC 19794-2 (earlier fingerprint minutiae standards; retained in catalogues).

Keywords: ISO/IEC 39794-2, finger minutiae, fingerprint minutiae data, biometric data interchange, ASN.1, XML schema, on-card biometric comparison, TLV, biometric interoperability, conformance testing.

Related standards

Standards mentioned in the description

Abstract

Overview

Note: ISO/IEC 39794-2 covers only finger minutiae - it is not applicable to palms, toes or feet (see ISO/IEC 39794-4 for image data across fingers, palms, toes and feet).

Key topics and technical requirements

Extensible encodings
- Tagged binary encoding based on ASN.1 and TLV semantics for compact interchange.
- XML Schema Definition (XSD) for textual interchange and human readability.
- On‑card biometric comparison format encoded with extensible TLV for secure, constrained environments.
Minutiae representation
- Specifications for minutia location, direction/angle, type (ridge ending, bifurcation, unique minutia, trifurcation encoding) and placement conventions (core/delta placement).
- Coordinate systems and conventions to ensure consistent interpretation across devices.
Supporting data elements
- Capture metadata (device model, capture date/time, spatial sampling rate, impression type).
- Quality blocks, zonal quality, ridge counts (generic, 4-neighbour, 8-neighbour), PAD (presentation attack detection) data, and vendor‑specific blocks.
On‑card matching parameters
- Parameters and rules for constructing valid probe data and performing biometric comparison on smartcards or secure elements.
Conformance
- Normative conformance assertions, conformance test procedures, and encoding examples (annexes provide formal specs, test methodology and examples).

Practical applications and users

Who uses it
- Biometric middleware and system integrators, fingerprint sensor and device manufacturers, smartcard and secure element developers, law enforcement and forensic labs, border control and government identity programs, and vendors implementing on-card matching.
Why it’s used
- Enables interoperability between different vendors and devices.
- Provides extensibility so new attributes can be added without breaking compatibility.
- Supports compact binary exchange, readable XML, and secure on‑card matching workflows.
- Facilitates standardized quality metrics and conformance testing for reliable deployments.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 39794 (series) - third-generation extensible biometric interchange formats.
ISO/IEC 39794-4 - finger, palm, toe and foot image data (complements minutiae-focused Part 2).
Legacy references: ISO/IEC 19794-2 (earlier fingerprint minutiae standards; retained in catalogues).

ISO/IEC 39794-2:2023 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Practical applications and users

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Practical applications and users

Related standards

Related standards

Information technology. Extensible biometric data interchange formats. Finger minutiae data.

ISO/IEC 39794-4 application profile for finger image data in machine-readable travel documents

Information technology — Biometric data interchange formats — Part 2: Finger minutiae data — Amendment 1: Det…