Multimodal biometrics

Biometric products provide improved security over traditional electronic access control methods such as RFID tags, electronic keypads and some mechanical locks. They ensure that the authorized user is present in order for access to take place. The user's authorized card or password pin cannot be stolen or lost to gain access. Common physical biometrics includes fingerprints, hand or palm geometry, retina, iris, or facial characteristics, whereas behavioural characteristics include signature, voice (which also has a physical component), keystroke pattern, and gait. While some technologies have gained more acceptance then others, it is beyond doubt that the field of access control biometrics has gained a measure of acceptance.

Multimodal biometrics use a combination of different biometric recognition technologies In order for the biometrics to be ultra-secure and to provide more-than-average accuracy, more than one form of biometric identification is required. Hence the need arises for the use of multimodal biometrics. This uses a combination of different biometric recognition technologies.

In certain situations, the user might find one form of biometric identification is not exact enough for identification. This can be the case with fingerprints, where at least 10% of the population have worn, cut or unrecognizable prints. Multimodal biometric technology uses more than one biometric identifier to compare the identity of the person. Therefore in the case of a system using say three technologies i.e. face mimic and voice. If one of the technologies is unable to identify, the system can still use the other two to accurately identify against. Multimodal technologies have been in use commercially since 1998. Multimodal biometric systems are those which utilize, or are capability of utilizing, more than one physiological or behavioral characteristic for enrollment, verification, or identification