|
A2LA |
American
Association of Laboratory Accreditation is an watch
dog group defined to evaluate and certify
independent test laboratories to have capabilities
to test in specific categories. The intent is to
define laboratories who have the experience and
facilities to adequately perform device testing.
Fingerprint authentication devices are expected to
be tested for durability by an A2LA accredited
laboratory. |
|
ATE |
Ability
To Enroll is the metric which identifies the number
of times it takes for a person’s fingerprint to be
properly enrolled for subsequent comparison to allow
system access. Some fingerprint sensors may have
difficulty enrolling (or capturing a fingerprint)
certain types of fingerprints. |
|
Authentication |
Authentication is the act of validating the unique
user before allowing access to a computer or
computing resource. |
|
BAPI |
Biometric Application Programming Interface. A
software interface standard for biometric devices
used to generalize communications between an
application program and a biometric hardware device.
BAPI is a standard published by IO Software, and is
currently licensed by Microsoft. |
|
BioAPI |
Biometric Application Programming Interface. A
software interface standard for biometric devices
used to generalize communications between an
application program and a biometric hardware device.
This is a software interface standard defined by an
industry group. |
|
Biometric |
Generally refers to a device that is associated with
a unique human characteristic such as a fingerprint,
an iris, hand or other characteristic that can be
used to uniquely identify an individual. |
|
EER |
If a
curve were to be plotted with FRR
and FAR, the Equal Error Rate
defines the threshold where False Accept Rate (FAR)
and False Reject Rate (FRR)
intersect. Tuning algorithms to improve FAR will
conversely reduce FRR and vice versa. EER defines
the point where these values intersect. |
|
Enroll |
Initial
capture of a fingerprint is stored for subsequent
comparison when a user requests access to a computer
or resource. Enrollment generally takes a series of
fingerprint "snapshots", generates some type of
mathematical formula from the series of fingerprint
images, and stores the "enrolled" fingerprint
template. |
|
False Match Rate |
See
False Accept Rate (FAR) |
|
False
Non-Match Rate |
See
False Reject Rate (FRR) |
|
FAR |
False
Accept Rate refers to the number of times that a
biometric device incorrectly accepts a user
identity. |
|
FER |
Failure
to Enroll Rate is the percentage of people that do
not have sufficient sample quality to enroll on a
given biometric system. Examples of failures to
enroll can be caused by worn down or unavailable
fingertip for fingerprints. |
|
Fingerprint sensor |
A
fingerprint sensor is the part of the a biometric
device used to capture a fingerprint image for
subsequent processing. |
|
FRR |
False
Reject Rate defines the number of times that a
legitimate user is incorrectly denied access by a
biometric method or mechanism to a computer or
computing resource. |
|
FTE |
See
Failure to Enroll Rate (FER) |
|
Multi-factor Authentication |
Multi-factor authentication utilizes 2 or more forms
of verification to confirm the identity of a user.
For example, a user might be required to provide the
correct password
and
touch a fingerprint sensor to
match against an existing fingerprint template
before being granted access to a computer. |
|
Passphrase |
Passphrase defines a phrase containing a number of
characters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation used to
identify a user. Passphrase differs from a password
in that the passphrase can be a sentence or group of
words whereas a password is generally a single set
of characters and numbers. An example of a
passphrase might be: "High performance Workers*
require high performance c0mputer$." |
|
PIN |
Personal
Identification number is a unique number, generally
selected by the user to allow access to a resource.
PINs are common forms of user authentication for
Debit Card transactions. |
|
Single factor Authentication |
Singe
factor authentication utilizes one form of
verification to confirm the identity of a user. For
example, a user might be verified by typing in
correct password to gain access to a computer. |
|
SPI |
Service
Provider Interface is software utilized for both
BAPI and BioAPI interfaces where a specific device
support module can be added by a device
manufacturer. |
|
WHQL |
Windows
Hardware Qualification List is sponsored and
supported by Microsoft to test and validate hardware
to specific criteria. The intent is to test hardware
and supporting software support to ensure that it
works as expected in a Windows operating system as
expected without causing problems to other software
and/or devices. |
