09-05-2011, 04:43 PM
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1. Introduction and History
1.1 Introduction:-
The term "biometrics" is derived from the Greek words bio means “life” and metric means “to measure”.
BIOMETRICS refers to the automatic identification of a person based on his physiological / behavioral characteristics. This method of identification is preferred for various reasons; the person to be identified is required to be physically present at the point of identification; identification based on biometric techniques obviates the need to remember a password or carry a token.
A biometric is a unique, measurable characteristic or trait for automatically recognizing or verifying the identity of a human being. Biometrics is a powerful combination of science and technology that can be used to protect and secure our most valuable information and property.
With the increased use of computers or vehicles of information technology, it is necessary to restrict access to sensitive or personal data. By replacing PINs, biometric techniques can potentially prevent unauthorized access to fraudulent use of ATMs, cellular phones, smart cards, desktop PCs, workstations, and computer networks. PINs and passwords may be forgotten, and token based methods of identification like passports and driver’s licenses may be forged, stolen, or lost .Thus biometric systems of identification are enjoying a renewed interest.
Recognition requires the system to look through many stored sets of characteristics and pick the one that matches the unknown individual being presented. Various types of biometric systems are being used for real–time identification; the most popular are based on face recognition and fingerprint matching. However there are other biometric systems that utilize iris and retinal scan, speech, gesture recognition, and hand geometry.
Biometric technologies are becoming the foundation of an extensive array of highly secure identification and personal verification solutions. The basic idea behind biometrics is that our bodies contain unique properties that can be used to distinguish us from others. A biometric system is essentially a pattern recognition system, which makes a personal identification by determining the authenticity of a specific physiological or behavioral characteristics possessed by the user.
An important issue in designing a practical system is to determine how an individual is identified. Depending on the context, a biometric system can be either a verification (authentication) system an identification system. Verification involves confirming or denying a person’s claimed identity. In identification one has to establish a person’s identity. Identification systems based on biometrics are important building blocks in simplifying
our interaction with the myriad digital systems and devices that we
are all using in increasing numbers.
There are levels of security from the most basic to the most robust with biometrics being the most secure:
1. Something that you have - such as an ID badge with a photograph on it.
2. Something that you know - such as a password or PIN number.
3. Something which you are - such as biometric data – fingerprints, iris, voice or face scans.
Figure1: Explains the meaning of definition
Biometrics is rapidly evolving technology, which is being used in forensics such as criminal identification and prison security, and has the potential to be used in a large range of civilian application areas. Biometrics can be used transactions conducted via telephone and Internet (electronic commerce and electronic banking). In automobiles, biometrics can replace keys with key -less entry devices.
1.2 History:-
When we talk about biometric history, we would realize that since time immemorial people always tried their best to use some way or the other so that they could identify one person from another, whether it was through footprints or tattoos or photos. Biometric history indicates that the science did not originate at a single place. People all over the world were using the basics for mainly identifying individuals from each other.
The ancient Egyptians and the Chinese played a large role in biometrics' history. Although biometric technology seems to belong in the twenty-first century, the history of biometrics goes back thousands of years. Possibly the most primary known instance of biometrics in practice was a form of finger printing being used in China in the 14th century, as reported by explorer Joao de Barros. Barros wrote that the Chinese merchants were stamping children's palm prints and footprints on paper with ink so as to differentiate the young children from one another. This is one of the most primitive known cases of biometrics in use and is still being used today.
Bertillon developed a technique of multiple body measurements which later got named after him “Bertillonage”. His method was then used by police authorities throughout the world, until it quickly faded when it was discovered that some people shared the same measurements and based on the measurements alone, two people could get treated as one. After the failure of Bertillonage, the police started using finger printing, which was developed by Richard Edward Henry of Scotland Yard, essentially reverting to the same methods used by the Chinese for years.
Commercial advancements for biometric devices began in the 1970s when a system called Identical which measured the shape of the hand and length of the fingers was used as part of a time clock at Shearson Hamill, a Wall Street investment firm. Subsequently, hundreds of Identical devices were used to establish identity for physical access at secure facilities run by Western Electric, U.S. Naval Intelligence, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Naval Intelligence and like organizations.
1. Introduction and History
1.1 Introduction:-
The term "biometrics" is derived from the Greek words bio means “life” and metric means “to measure”.
BIOMETRICS refers to the automatic identification of a person based on his physiological / behavioral characteristics. This method of identification is preferred for various reasons; the person to be identified is required to be physically present at the point of identification; identification based on biometric techniques obviates the need to remember a password or carry a token.
A biometric is a unique, measurable characteristic or trait for automatically recognizing or verifying the identity of a human being. Biometrics is a powerful combination of science and technology that can be used to protect and secure our most valuable information and property.
With the increased use of computers or vehicles of information technology, it is necessary to restrict access to sensitive or personal data. By replacing PINs, biometric techniques can potentially prevent unauthorized access to fraudulent use of ATMs, cellular phones, smart cards, desktop PCs, workstations, and computer networks. PINs and passwords may be forgotten, and token based methods of identification like passports and driver’s licenses may be forged, stolen, or lost .Thus biometric systems of identification are enjoying a renewed interest.
Recognition requires the system to look through many stored sets of characteristics and pick the one that matches the unknown individual being presented. Various types of biometric systems are being used for real–time identification; the most popular are based on face recognition and fingerprint matching. However there are other biometric systems that utilize iris and retinal scan, speech, gesture recognition, and hand geometry.
Biometric technologies are becoming the foundation of an extensive array of highly secure identification and personal verification solutions. The basic idea behind biometrics is that our bodies contain unique properties that can be used to distinguish us from others. A biometric system is essentially a pattern recognition system, which makes a personal identification by determining the authenticity of a specific physiological or behavioral characteristics possessed by the user.
An important issue in designing a practical system is to determine how an individual is identified. Depending on the context, a biometric system can be either a verification (authentication) system an identification system. Verification involves confirming or denying a person’s claimed identity. In identification one has to establish a person’s identity. Identification systems based on biometrics are important building blocks in simplifying
our interaction with the myriad digital systems and devices that we
are all using in increasing numbers.
There are levels of security from the most basic to the most robust with biometrics being the most secure:
1. Something that you have - such as an ID badge with a photograph on it.
2. Something that you know - such as a password or PIN number.
3. Something which you are - such as biometric data – fingerprints, iris, voice or face scans.
Figure1: Explains the meaning of definition
Biometrics is rapidly evolving technology, which is being used in forensics such as criminal identification and prison security, and has the potential to be used in a large range of civilian application areas. Biometrics can be used transactions conducted via telephone and Internet (electronic commerce and electronic banking). In automobiles, biometrics can replace keys with key -less entry devices.
1.2 History:-
When we talk about biometric history, we would realize that since time immemorial people always tried their best to use some way or the other so that they could identify one person from another, whether it was through footprints or tattoos or photos. Biometric history indicates that the science did not originate at a single place. People all over the world were using the basics for mainly identifying individuals from each other.
The ancient Egyptians and the Chinese played a large role in biometrics' history. Although biometric technology seems to belong in the twenty-first century, the history of biometrics goes back thousands of years. Possibly the most primary known instance of biometrics in practice was a form of finger printing being used in China in the 14th century, as reported by explorer Joao de Barros. Barros wrote that the Chinese merchants were stamping children's palm prints and footprints on paper with ink so as to differentiate the young children from one another. This is one of the most primitive known cases of biometrics in use and is still being used today.
Bertillon developed a technique of multiple body measurements which later got named after him “Bertillonage”. His method was then used by police authorities throughout the world, until it quickly faded when it was discovered that some people shared the same measurements and based on the measurements alone, two people could get treated as one. After the failure of Bertillonage, the police started using finger printing, which was developed by Richard Edward Henry of Scotland Yard, essentially reverting to the same methods used by the Chinese for years.
Commercial advancements for biometric devices began in the 1970s when a system called Identical which measured the shape of the hand and length of the fingers was used as part of a time clock at Shearson Hamill, a Wall Street investment firm. Subsequently, hundreds of Identical devices were used to establish identity for physical access at secure facilities run by Western Electric, U.S. Naval Intelligence, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Naval Intelligence and like organizations.
