Biometric Face Verification on Handheld Terminals for Border Control

Since 2023, a global digital security provider has partnered with 3DiVi to integrate face recognition into its handheld biometric terminals as part of a large-scale border control initiative.

Already equipped with a high-resolution camera, fingerprint scanner, and ID card reader, these terminals are widely used for fast and secure identity verification in scenarios where costly fixed systems, such as Biometric eGates, are impractical.

This includes small checkpoints with low or irregular traffic — for example, temporary or emergency border crossings, as well as railway and river checkpoints.

Their mobility also makes these terminals indispensable in field operations, enabling officers to capture biometric data outside standard checkpoints, such as during active patrols.

At airports and other high-security sites, these devices support selective inspections, efficiently verifying travelers who cannot pass primary control through automated eGates.

The project’s mission was clear: to add face verification capabilities to the existing terminals without modifying the hardware and within an extremely tight deployment timeline.

The development team faced several key challenges:

• Limited hardware resources: Accurate face recognition on a portable device with restricted computing power.

• Offline verification: The solution had to deliver fast and reliable identity checks without any server or internet connection.

• Tight deadlines: The entire integration needed to be completed in under one month—and without changing a single component of the handheld hardware.

To meet these requirements, the client chose 3DiVi Face SDK, optimized for mobile and embedded platforms.

The SDK enabled a smooth face verification workflow where the reference image is retrieved directly from the ID card memory—rather than photographing the document.

This was possible because the terminal supports ISO 7816, allowing it to read the photo stored in the ID card chip and feed it directly into the Face SDK for biometric processing and matching.

The final workflow operates entirely on the device and includes the following steps:

1. Insert ID card: The user inserts their ID card into the handheld terminal.
2. Read photo from card memory: The device extracts the user’s photo directly from the ID card chip (ISO 7816 standard).
3. Capture live face: The built-in camera captures the user’s real-time facial image.
4. Generate biometric templates: 3DiVi Face SDK creates templates from both the live camera image and the ID card photo.
5. Match templates: A 1:1 comparison is performed locally to verify the user’s identity.

The entire process runs offline, with no data transmitted to external systems—critical for remote or field operations.

• Full protection: No identity swap using someone else’s ID.

• Under 2 seconds per check: Each identity check now takes less than 2 seconds, keeping checkpoint throughput smooth—even during peak hours.

• 100% offline operation: The system works entirely without a server or internet connection, perfect for field patrols and remote locations.

• 0 hardware changes needed: The terminals gained full face recognition functionality without any modifications.

• Deployed in under 1 month: From integration to full operation in under one month, meeting the tightest timelines.

With 3DiVi Face SDK, face recognition can be added to nearly any hardware device—fast, reliable, and offline—turning it into a next-gen biometric security solution.

Upgrade your devices today with 3DiVi. Get in touch for a ready-to-deploy face recognition technology.