Biometrics Glossary - R

Welcome to the Biometrics Glossary - R - for terms beginning with R

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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Technology that uses low-powered radio transmitters to read data stored in a transponder (tag). RFID tags can be used to track assets, manage inventory, authorise payments, and serve as electronic keys. RFID is not a biometric.

Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC)
A method of showing measured accuracy performance of a biometric system. A verification ROC compares false accept rate versus verification rate. An open-set identification (watch list) ROC compares false alarm rates versus detection and identification rate.

Recognition
A generic term used in the description of biometric systems (e.g. face recognition or iris recognition) relating to their fundamental function. The term “recognition” does not inherently imply verification, closed-set identification or open-set identification (watch list).

Record
The template and other information about the end user (e.g. name, access permissions).

Reference Template
Data that represents the biometric measurement of an enrolee used by a biometric system for comparison against subsequently submitted biometric samples.

Registration
Process of registering biometric data with a Fingerprint Identification Unit (FIU) or other biometric system.

Rejection/False Rejection
When a biometric system fails to identify an enrolee or fails to verify the legitimate claimed identity of an enrolee. Also known as a Type I error.

Resolution
The number of pixels per unit distance in the image. Describes the sharpness and clarity of an image. See also pixel, pixels per inch (PPI).

Response Time/Processing Time
The time period required by a biometric system to return a decision on identification or verification of a biometric sample.

Retina Scanning
Scanning the veins at the back of the eye (on the retina) - usually for use in an identification or verification algorithm.

Ridge
The raised skin areas which make up a fingerprint

Ridge Ending
A minutiae point at the ending of a friction ridge, as illustrated below. See also bifurcation, friction ridge.

Rolled Fingerprints
An image that includes fingerprint data from nail to nail, obtained by “rolling” the finger across a sensor, as illustrated below.