biometric application programming interface (BioAPI)

With the Biometric API (BioAPI), the BioAPI consortium has defined an open standard for functions and interfaces for biometric procedures. The application programming interface (API) allows software applications to communicate with a variety of biometric methods.

BioAPI specifications include the function required for biometric identification, as well as interface specifications and biometric data management.

The BioAPI aims to bring together the proprietary methods of the various manufacturers. It includes the basic functions for bio-databases, the interfaces for the hardware and the management functions. The data format defined for the BioAPI is the Biometric Identification Record (BIR). The BioAPI supports all common computer platforms.