Biometrics

Lecture 8
Multimodal Biometrics

Lecturer: Dr. Joshua Okemwa

 EXPECTED LEARNING
OUTCOMES
At the end of the lecture you will be able to:
i. Understanding multimodal systems.
ii. Discuss the importance of multimodal systems.
iii. Evaluate the challenges, recent developments and
future trends of multimodal systems .
AREAS OF FOCUS
The main areas of focus in this presentation include:

i. Overview of multimodal systems

ii. System demonstration

iii. Multimodal vs unimodal systems

iv. Application of multimodal system.

 INTRODUCTION

Multimodal biometrics integrates multiple biometric traits,

such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, and voice
recognition, into a single system.

This combination enhances the system's robustness and

reduces the chances of false positives and false negatives.

 PURPOSE OF MULTIMODAL
BIOMETRICS
•The integration of multiple biometric modalities addresses
the limitations of unimodal systems, such as susceptibility to
spoofing, low recognition accuracy under varying
conditions, and higher error rates.
 UNIMODAL BIOMETRICS

Unimodal biometrics has several problems such as noisy

data, intra class variation, inter class similarities, non
universality and spoofing which cause this system less
accurate and secure.

To overcome these problems and to increase level of security

multimodal biometrics is used.
 CONT…

Multimodal biometrics makes the use of multiple source of

information for personal authentication.

Multimodal biometrics has becoming very popular now days

since it is at the frontier of unimodal biometrics.
 UNIMODAL VS MULTIMODAL

Unimodal biometrics approach is simpler and more cost-

effective, making it easier to design, implement, and maintan.

However, unimodal systems can be less reliable and more

susceptible to spoofing, environmental limitations, and higher

false acceptance or rejection rates.

 CONT…
In contrast, multimodal biometrics leverages multiple biometric traits,
like combining fingerprint, face, and voice recognition. This increases
accuracy, security, and flexibility by compensating for the weaknesses
of individual modalities.
While multimodal systems are more complex and costly to deploy and maintain,
they provide a more robust and reliable means of authentication by integrating

various biometric sources reliable means of authentication by

 SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION

Source: Journal (SIPIJ)

Author:P. S. Sanjekar
 EXPLANATION

Multimodal biometric system can operate in serial mode or

parallel mode. In serial mode of operation, the system processes
one biometric modality at a time. Each modality's output helps
refine or limit the pool of potential identities before moving to
the next modality. This can reduce the overall recognition time.
 CONT…

In parallel mode, all selected biometric modalities are captured

and processed simultaneously. This method increases the
chances of accurate identification since it analyzes multiple data
points at once, though it can require more computational
resources. In parallel mode of operation, information from
different modalities is used simultaneously.
 CONT…

In case of multimodal biometric system decision can be

made at various levels of fusion like Feature level
fusion, Matching score level fusion and Decision level
fusion.
 NOTE

Choosing between serial and parallel modes depends on the

specific needs of the application. Serial mode is ideal for
systems prioritizing resource efficiency and lower processing
costs, while parallel mode suits environments where high
accuracy and speed are essential, even with higher operational
costs.
 ADVANTAGES
•Improved Accuracy: Combining multiple data sources
increases the probability of correct identification and
reduces false acceptance and rejection rates.
•Enhanced Security: Multimodal systems are more
resilient against spoofing and fraudulent access since
replicating multiple biometric traits is more challenging.
 CONT…
 Adaptability to Different Environments: Multimodal
biometrics can adapt to various environmental conditions. For
instance, if face recognition is less reliable in poor lighting, the
system can prioritize fingerprint or voice recognition.
 Improved User Experience: Users have multiple ways to
authenticate themselves. If one biometric modality fails (e.g.,
due to a bandaged finger or noisy background affecting voice),
other modalities can still confirm identity, allowing for smoother
interactions.
 CONT…
 Enhanced Verification for Sensitive Applications: In high-
security environments (e.g., government facilities, banking,
or military applications), the layered approach of
multimodal biometrics meets stricter security
requirements.
 Supports Multiple Authentication Scenarios: Multimodal
systems can tailor the modalities required based on the
risk level.
 DISADVANTAGES
•High Implementation Costs: Multimodal systems require
additional hardware and software to capture, process, and integrate
data from multiple biometric sources. This makes the setup and
maintenance more expensive than single-modal systems.
•Complex System Architecture: Integrating multiple biometrics
requires advanced data fusion algorithms, making system design,
configuration, and troubleshooting more complex.

CONT…
 Greater Processing Power Needed: Multimodal systems need
significant processing resources to handle multiple biometric
data streams and algorithms in real time, especially in high-
traffic environments.
 Increased Storage Demand: Since multiple biometric
templates (e.g., voice, fingerprint, and face data) need to be
stored for each user, the system requires substantial storage
capacity, which can be costly.
 CONT…
•Complexity in Data Fusion: Combining biometric data from different
sources can lead to higher error rates if the data fusion isn’t well-
optimized, especially if one modality produces inaccurate results.

•Error Propagation: If an error occurs in one modality, it may affect

the accuracy of the entire system, especially if that modality’s data
heavily influences the final decision.
 FUSION LEVELS IN
MULTIMODAL BIOMETRICS
Generally there are three fusion levels in multimodal
biometrics: feature level fusion, matching score level fusion
and decision level fusion respectively. It is generally believed
that a combination scheme applied as early as possible in the
recognition system is more effective
 EXPLANATION
Feature Level Fusion is a method in multimodal biometric systems
where the feature sets extracted from different biometric modalities
are combined into a single, unified feature set before making a
classification or identification decision.

This approach is where raw or processed data from each biometric

source are merged a representation of the individual’s identity.
 CONT…
Matching Score Level Fusion is a technique used in multimodal
biometric systems where each biometric modality (e.g., fingerprint,
face, voice) independently produces a score that represents the
likelihood of a match. These scores are then combined to make a
final decision about identity verification or recognition.
 CONT…
Decision Level Fusion in multimodal biometric systems is a
technique where each biometric modality independently makes its
own decision about a match (e.g., "accept" or "reject") before a final
decision is made by combining these individual outputs.

This method is typically used when individual biometric systems are

separate and each can independently perform identification or
verification.
 CHALLENGES& CONCERNS
• Complexity and Cost: Implementing and maintaining a multimodal
system is more resource-intensive than a single-modal one.
•Data Fusion: Combining data from multiple modalities (data
fusion) can be technically challenging and requires sophisticated
algorithms.
•Privacy and Data Security: Storing and processing multiple types
of sensitive data raises concerns about privacy and the potential for
breaches.
 APPLICATION
•Financial Services: Used in banking for secure transactions, with
multimodal verification adding extra layers of security.
•Healthcare: Ensures secure patient identification and access to medical
records.
•Border Security: Airports and border control use multimodal biometrics
to enhance security and manage identity verification efficiently.
•Corporate Security: High-security facilities often require multimodal
biometrics to control access.
 FUTURE DIRECTIONS

AI and Machine Learning: These technologies are improving

multimodal biometric systems by enhancing pattern recognition and
data fusion techniques.

Mobile Multimodal Biometrics: Growing in mobile and wearable

devices, integrating sensors for face, voice, fingerprint, and even gait
recognition.
 FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Privacy-Preserving Techniques: Differential privacy and

encryption methods are being explored to secure biometric data
while respecting user privacy.
Increased Use in Consumer Devices: Mobile phones, smartwatches,
and other wearables are beginning to use multiple biometric sensors,
such as face, voice, and even gait recognition. These multimodal
systems provide secure, convenient, and seamless authentication
options on personal devices.
 REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Explain the purpose of multimodal biometrics?

2. Elaborate how multimodal biometrics improve security?
3. Highlight challenges in implementing multimodal biometrics?
4. Explain how multimodal biometrics handle variations in user
appearance?
5. Discuss some of the applications of multimodal biometrics?
6. Compare to single-modal biometrics in terms of user
convenience?
 REFERENCES
•Zhang, D. (2013). Multimodal biometrics: Theory and practice. Springer
Science & Business Media.
•V. Mane and D. Jadhav, “Review of Multimodal Biometrics: Applications,
Challenges and Research Areas,” International Journal of Biometrics and
Bioinformatics (IJBB), vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 90-95, 2009. Signal & Image
Processing : An International Journal (SIPIJ) Vol.4, No.1, February 2013
•F. Yang and Baofeng M. A, “Two Models Multimodal Biometric Fusion
Based on Fingerprint, Palm-Print and Hand-Geometry,” in Proc. of 1st
International Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering
(ICBBE), Wuhan, pp. 498-501, 6-8 July 2007.