1.
What is meant by the term “Biometrics”?
Biometrics
is [Automated] recognition of [living] persons based on observation of
behavioral and biological (anatomical and physiological) characteristics.
2. What is Biometric Data and which are the different
biometric data being used for the identification and verification of
individuals in e-Governance applications?
Biometric data is the data representing a
biometric characteristic. For Example, Image data, behavioral data, sensor
data, etc. The
Indian Government proposes to use biometric data for identification and
verification of individuals in e-Governance applications. The biometric data
includes fingerprint image, minutiae, face image and iris data.
3.
What is the difference between Biometric Sample and
Biometric Template?
Biometric
Sample is
defined as the data obtained from a biometric device , either directly or after
processing.
Biometric is
defined as the biometric sample or combination of biometric samples that is
suitable for storage as a reference for future comparison.
4.
What is a Biometric system?
An automated system capable of: • Capturing a
biometric sample from an end user; • Extracting biometric data from that
sample; • Comparing the biometric data with that contained in one or more
reference templates; • Deciding how well they match; and • Indicating whether
or not an identification or verification of identify has been achieved.
5.
Why Biometric standards are important?
Biometric Standards are developed to ensure
interoperability of biometric devices and algorithms so as to avoid vendor lock-in
and also ensure long term storage of data with technology independence. The
defined biometric standards are applicable to all e-Governance applications in
India as per the Government’s Policy on Open Standards.
6. What is the significance of recognition, verification,
and identification in Biometrics?
Biometric Recognition – It refers to automated
recognition of individuals based on their behavioral and biological
characteristics. Automated recognition implies that a machine based system is
used for the recognition either for the full process or assisted by a human
being. Biometric recognition encompasses biometric verification and
identification. (Note: This definition of the term ‘Biometric Recognition’ has
been included from ‘CD 2382-37, Vocabulary – Biometrics’) Biometric
Verification – In verification, a transaction by a subject is processed by the
system in order to verify a positive specific claim about the subject’s
enrolment (e.g. “I am enrolled as subject X”). Verification will either accept
or reject the claim. The verification decision outcome is considered to be
erroneous if either a false claim is accepted (false accept) or a true claim is
rejected (false reject). Biometric Identification - In identification, a
transaction by a subject is processed by the system in order to find an
identifier of the subject’s enrolment. Identification provides a candidate list
of identifiers that may be empty or contain only one identifier. Identification
is considered correct when the subject is enrolled, and an identifier for their
enrolments in the candidate list. The identification is considered to be
erroneous if either an enrolled subject’s identifier is not in the resulting
candidate list (false-negative identification error), or if a transaction by a
non-enrolled subject produces a non-empty candidate list (false-positive
identification error). For more details, please refer Biometric Standards for
e-Governance published on the portal https://egovstandards.gov.in/.
7. What are the benefits provided by the use of Biometrics?
Entity authentication etc.Ø Computer network access Ø Entry devices for buildings Ø Law enforcement Ø Confidential Financial transaction Ø Personal data privacy Ø
8. What are the various e-Governance applications in India
using Biometrics?
Transport department for issuing or renewing
Driving License, etc.Ø RSBY (Rashtriya
Swasthya Bima Yojna) Ø PDS (Public
Distribution System) Ø E-Passport Ø NPR (National Population Register) Ø UIDAI (Aadhar) Ø
9.
What is a Fingerprint?
A fingerprint is an impression of the friction
ridges found on the inner surface of a finger or a thumb. The ridges follow a
global pattern identified as whorl, right loop, left loop, arch, tented arch
and twin loop etc. Skin pores also present a detailed pattern in fingerprints.
There are also local patterns where ridges end or bifurcate, known as minutiae.
Local and/or global patterns of fingerprints are matched to provide a means of
identification or verification. The science of fingerprint recognition
constitutes accurate means of positive identification known to humans.
10.
In fingerprint pattern, what is a Friction Ridge and what
are three basic patterns of fingerprint ridges?
Friction ridge is defined as the ridges present
on the skin of the fingers and toes, the palms and soles of the feet, which
makes contact with an incident surface under normal touch. On the fingers, the
unique patterns formed by the friction ridges make up fingerprints. The three
basic patterns of fingerprint ridges are the arch, loop, and whorl: (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Fingerprint_recognition (link is external)) • Arch:
The ridges enter from one side of the finger, rise in the center forming an
arc, and then exit the other side of the finger. • Loop: The ridges enter from
one side of a finger, form a curve, and then exit on that same side. • Whorl:
Ridges form circularly around a central point on the finger.
11. What are the specifications of Face Image?
Specifications: Face Image Type: The Full Frontal
Image should be captured as per the specifications laid down in Face Image Data
Standard version 1.0 published on e-Governance Standards portal https://egovstandards.gov.in. Color Space: 24 Bit RGB (i.e. Code ox01)
Inter-eye Distance: The Inter-eye distance should be a minimum 120 pixels for a
head width of 240 pixels Pose Angle: Rotation of the head shall be less than ±5
degrees from frontal in every direction (i.e. roll, pitch and yaw) Shoulders:
Both the shoulders should be visible.
12. What is an Iris and give specifications of an Iris image?
The
Iris is the muscle within the eye that regulates the size of the pupil,
controlling the amount of light that enters the eye. "Eye colour" is
the colour of the Iris, which can be green, blue, or brown. In some cases it
can be hazel (light brown) or grey. It is the area between sclera and pupil.
The texture, and patterns of each person’s Iris are as unique as a fingerprint.
Iris Image Specifications: Iris Image Type – The interchange format type of the
Iris images that is defined in this standard is for rectilinear images only. If
the image is collected by a camera that captures only one eye at a time and is
stored using a rectilinear coordinate system, no specific pre-processing is
required Cameras that capture images of both eyes simultaneously may use the
following processing steps to calculate the rotation angle of the Iris images.
i. Pre-processing to calculate rotation angle Before compression, the Iris
image will have to be pre-processed to calculate rotation angle. Refer section
6.3.1 of ISO 19794-6:2005(E) for rotation angle calculation for rectilinear
images. ii. Rectilinear Image Rotation Uncertainty Refer section 6.3.1.3 of ISO
19794-6:2005(E). Number of eyes: For enrollment: Two eyes For verification:
One/Two eyes depending upon application sensitivity requirement Iris Diameter:
As per ISO 19794-6:2005(E) medium and higher quality images are only
acceptable,. Hence for this Standard, minimum acceptable Iris diameter will be150
pixels Image Margin Segmentation: 50% left and right of Iris diameter 25% top
and bottom of Iris diameter Color and Pixel Depth: The iris images shall be
captured and stored in grey scale with pixel depth 8bits/pixel Illumination:
The eye should be illuminated using near infrared light with wavelength between
700 and 900 nano meters (nm) approximately Image Acquisition Format: Lossless
(Raw/PNG/ JPEG 2000) formats.
13. How the accuracy of a biometric system can be measured?
The accuracy of a biometric system is determined
through a series of tests in the following order: i. Technology Evaluation:
Assessment of matching algorithm accuracy ii. Scenario Evaluation: Assessment
of performance in a mock environment iii. Operational evaluation: Live testing
on site If all the tests done properly, users will come to know, to a high
degree of accuracy, how the system will perform. Source:http://biometrics.gov/Documents/FAQ.pdf)
14. What factors causes biometric system to fail?
In addition to common electronics/computer and
hardware failures, common biometric issues include poor-quality biometric samples,
user confusion, evasion or non-cooperation, noise, inadequate or excessive
lighting, dirty sensor, or subject handicaps. (Source: http://biometrics.gov/
Documents/FAQ.pdf(link is external))