ISO/IEC 17839-2:2024

International
Standard
ISO/IEC 17839-2
Second edition
Information technology —
2024-08
Biometric System-on-Card —
Part 2:
Physical characteristics
Technologies de l'information — Système biométrique sur carte —
Partie 2: Caractéristiques physiques
Reference number
© ISO/IEC 2024
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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© ISO/IEC 2024 – All rights reserved
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 1
3.1 Terms and definitions .2
3.2 Abbreviated terms .3
4 Conformance . 3
5 Dimensions . 3
5.1 Overall dimensions .3
5.2 Location of the biometric capture device .3
5.2.1 General requirements .3
5.2.2 Fingerprint biometrics .4
5.2.3 Voice biometrics .5
5.2.4 Face biometrics .5
5.2.5 Signature biometrics .5
5.3 Size of the biometric capture device .6
5.3.1 Fingerprint biometrics .6
5.3.2 Voice biometrics .6
5.3.3 Face biometrics .6
5.3.4 Signature biometrics .6
5.4 Orientation .7
5.4.1 Finger biometrics .7
5.4.2 Voice biometrics .8
5.4.3 Face biometrics .8
5.4.4 Signature biometrics .8
6 Card characteristics . 8
6.1 Mechanical durability .8
6.2 Human-machine interface .8
Annex A (informative) Rational for introducing classes of fingerprint capturing devices in a
BSoC . 9
Annex B (informative) Plugfest BSoC evaluation results . 10
Bibliography . 14

© ISO/IEC 2024 – All rights reserved
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity.
ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/
IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives or www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs).
ISO and IEC draw attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the
use of (a) patent(s). ISO and IEC take no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any
claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO and IEC had not
received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers
are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents and https://patents.iec.ch. ISO and IEC shall not be held
responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
In the IEC, see www.iec.ch/understanding-standards.
This document was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 17, Cards and security devices for personal identification.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO/IEC 17839-2:2015), which has been technically
revised. It also incorporates ISO/IEC 17839-2:2015/Amd 1:2021.
The main changes are as follows:
— change of Biometric System-on-Card (BSoC) classes and requirements;
— replaced references to S1 and S2 with ID-1 and ID-T;
— changes to mechanical requirements and restrictions.
A list of all parts in the ISO/IEC 17839 series can be found on the ISO and IEC websites.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards
body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html and
www.iec.ch/national-committees.

© ISO/IEC 2024 – All rights reserved
iv
Introduction
A Biometric System-on-Card (BSoC) is an integrated circuit card (ICC) with full biometric capabilities as
defined in ISO/IEC 17839-1. The implementation of an ICC with such specifications is subject to a number
of physical constraints, which are detailed in this document. Therefore, this document provides the
specifications for both type ID-1 BSoC and type ID-T BSoC.
ID-1 card dimensions are defined in ISO/IEC 7810. The specifications for this type of BSoC are limited to those
related to the location of the biometric capture device, the human-machine interaction, as well as to stating
certain limitations on the use of certain technologies such as not allowing embossing on this type of card.
ID-T card dimensions and other characteristics are specified in ISO/IEC 18328-2.
The ISO/IEC 17839 series is organized into three parts:
— ISO/IEC 17839-1 Information technology — Biometric System-on-Card — Core requirements
— ISO/IEC 17839-2  Information technology — Biometric System-on-Card — Physical charac-
(this document) teristics
— ISO/IEC 17839-3 Information technology — Biometric System-on-Card — Logical information
interchange mechanism
© ISO/IEC 2024 – All rights reserved
v
International Standard ISO/IEC 17839-2:2024(en)
Information technology — Biometric System-on-Card —
Part 2:
Physical characteristics
1 Scope
This document defines:
— dimensions of a type ID-1 Biometric System-on-Card (BSoC) and type ID-T BSoC;
— position and capture area of the biometric capture device according to the needs of the biometric
modality;
— minimum requirements to a BSoC with respect to:
— mechanical durability; and
— human-machine interface and ergonomics.
This document is not applicable to other on-card devices such as an electronic display or a keypad.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 2382-37, Information technology — Vocabulary — Part 37: Biometrics
ISO/IEC 7810, Identification cards — Physical characteristics
ISO/IEC 10373-1, Cards and security devices for personal identification — Test methods — Part 1: General
characteristics
ISO/IEC 17839-1, Information technology — Biometric System-on-Card — Part 1: Core requirements
ISO/IEC 18328-2, Identification cards — ICC-managed devices — Part 2: Physical characteristics and test
methods for cards with devices
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC 2382-37, ISO/IEC 7810,
ISO/IEC 17839-1, ISO/IEC 18328-2 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/

© ISO/IEC 2024 – All rights reserved
3.1 Terms and definitions
3.1.1
minutiae-based comparison algorithm
fingerprint biometric feature comparison algorithm, which relies on evaluating fingerprint minutiae data
Note 1 to entry: The fingerprint minutiae data format used can be the one defined in ISO/IEC 19794-2 or
ISO/IEC 39794-2.
3.1.2
hybrid comparison algorithm
fingerprint biometric comparison algorithm, which relies on evaluating fingerprint minutiae data and
extended feature data, such as ridge count data, curvature, delta and core singular points or any other
proprietary vendor-specific data
Note 1 to entry: The fingerprint minutiae data format used can be the one defined in ISO/IEC 19794-2 or
ISO/IEC 39794-2.
3.1.3
pattern comparison algorithm
either fingerprint biometric sample or biometric feature comparison algorithm, or both, which focuses on
biometric sample image level correlation
Note 1 to entry: This category of algorithm typically tries to find a small fraction of a probe fingerprint image in a
larger reference image or in a plurality of reference images obtained during a multi-touch enrolment (3.1.4) process. The
data structures used in a pattern comparison algorithm are usually proprietary. A pattern comparison algorithm can
evaluate lower level three fingerprint features, i.e. “micro-features” such as sweat pores, incipient ridges or ridge shapes.
3.1.4
multi-touch enrolment
enrolment process of multiple reference biometric samples
Note 1 to entry: Multiple reference biometric samples or biometric templates can be stored, or combined into a larger
reference biometric sample or biometric template using image stitching algorithm (Note 3) or template stitching
algorithm (Note 4) respectively
Note 2 to entry: Multi-touch enrolment is common in many smartphones with a small scan area fingerprint sensor.
Note 3 to entry: An image stitching algorithm is an algorithm assembling multiple captured biometric samples of the
fingerprint into a larger reference biometric sample image (as if it was captured using large scan area fingerprint
sensor) using pattern comparison algorithm (3.1.3).
Note 4 to entry: A template stitching algorithm is an algorithm assembling biometric feature reference templates
(e.g. ISO/IEC 19794-2 or ISO/IEC 39794-2 minutiae data) extracted from multiple captured biometric samples of
the fingerprint into a larger reference biometric template (as if it was extracted from biometric sample captured
using large scan area fingerprint sensor) using minutiae-based comparison algorithm (3.1.1) or hybrid comparison
algorithm (3.1.2).
3.1.5
enrolment update
process of merging the current biometric probe’s biometric sample data or biometric feature data into a
biometric reference, e.g. enrolled using multi-touch enrolment
Note 1 to entry: In a Biometric System-on-Card (BSoC) context, an enrolment update can happen after card issuance
to update biometric reference data that can be stored in a secure element. An enrolment update helps when using
features that are not consistent over a longer time period or capture environment dependent.
3.1.6
capture area
area of a biometric capture device that captures biometric data, e.g. a fingerprint or dynamic signature

© ISO/IEC 2024 – All rights reserved
3.2 Abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the abbreviated terms in ISO/IEC 17839-1 and the following apply.
FAR false acceptance rate
FM false match
FMR false match rate
FNM false non-match
FNMR false non-match rate
FRR false rejection rate
FTA failure to acquire
IFD interface device
LED light emitting diode
PCB printed circuit board
ppi pixels per inch
4 Conformance
A BSoC claiming conformance with this document shall conform to all mandatory requirements specified
herein as applicable. A BSoC using an area fingerprint biometric capture device claiming conformance to
this document, shall express the class defined in Table 1 in the conformance statement, e.g. ISO/IEC 17839-2
Class C.
5 Dimensions
5.1 Overall dimensions
The overall dimensions of a type ID-1 BSoC shall be as specified in ISO/IEC 7810.
The overall dimensions of a type ID-T BSoC shall be as defined in ISO/IEC 18328-2.
5.2 Location of the biometric capture device
5.2.1 General requirements
The position of the biometric capture device is subject to ergonomic requirements and other reserved areas
of th
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