Incorporating Biometric Software Development Kits into the Development Process

Published

May 9, 2013

Author(s)

Karen Marshall, Ross J. Micheals, Kevin C. Mangold, Kayee K. Hanaoka

Abstract

Biometric devices have emerged as pervasive and indispensable tools in facilitating security in many industries and governments worldwide—the use of these devices has consistently increased and advanced. However, advancement of the methodologies used to implement them has been considerably slower. Most biometric SDKs do not readily lend themselves to the development process but instead result in adding complexity that impedes developer flexibility. The integration of biometric devices is still costly, labor intensive, and prone to interoperability challenges. This document describes a process used to achieve more flexible and reliable integration of biometric sensor SDKs into the application development process. It is intended for two audiences. First, for developers, it provides an analysis of the typical biometric SDK installation process and guidelines on how to increase reliability and repeatability of the SDK installation process, with an emphasis on separating the compile-time and run-time resources. Second, for biometric sensor providers,[1] it suggests a specific set of resources to be distributed in SDKs that allow developers to access SDK components as well as obtain details pertinent to the use and maintenance of their biometric sensor solutions. This methodology incrementally isolates various functions of an SDK in order to confirm a device’s correct installation. The tools and methods provided are constructed in a manner that is applicable to any modality of biometric device. The methodology discussed adds uniformity and reliability to the widely varying installation processes (or lack thereof) used by the different manufacturers. It promotes direct manipulation of the compile-time and run-time components of an SDK, is well suited for automated builds and decreases development time and costs related to the installation portion of SDK integration.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 7929

Report Number

7929

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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DOI Link

Keywords

biometric device integration, biometrics, sensor integration, interoperability

Citation

Marshall, K. , Micheals, R. , Mangold, K. and Hanaoka, K. (2013), Incorporating Biometric Software Development Kits into the Development Process, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7929 (Accessed April 26, 2025)