BioDigital, a new technology to combat identity forgery

The technology consists of a new-generation biometric fingerprint reader, called BioDigital. It not only effectively combats identity forgery, but also overcomes the difficulties associated with the very nature of biometric data, with improved recognition of fingerprints with surface damage. " The quality of reconstruction of the image of the internal fingerprint is the real originality of our technology ", points out Bernadette Dorizzi, Director of Research at Télécom SudParis.

Close cooperation between Télécom SudParis and IDEMIA, during which the group provided an evaluation algorithm and built up a database for its evaluation, has enabled BioDigital to demonstrate its ability to compare fingerprints more reliably and efficiently, even detecting false fingerprints, with a success rate approaching 100%.

Identifying the subcutaneous imprint and sweat pore network

This contactless technology identifies not only the fingerprint, but also the subcutaneous imprint and sweat pore network. It is based on the optical coherence tomography technique, which produces relief images by "echoing" light. BioDigital thus provides access to fingerprints without direct contact with the reader. This innovation is accompanied by exceptional image reconstruction quality. " Thanks to the fusion of phase and intensity images, we have succeeded in obtaining the most natural image possible", says Yaneck Gottesman, professor at Télécom SudParis.

"In a number of critical applications, such as the protection of sensitive infrastructures, the problem of forgery attacks is a real one, and it's a race between attackers and developers of technologies like IDEMIA. This technology, once industrialized and integrated into our products, has the potential to give us an extra edge", adds Jean-Christophe Fondeur, Executive Vice-President in charge of Research & Development at IDEMIA.