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Tech Primer
Face Recognition System
 A
face recognition system (FRS) is an application that automatically identifies
a person from a digital image. It is the ability to recognise a person by his
facial characteristics. This system is mostly used for security purposes. The
technology is based on Eigenface (standardised faced ingredients) algorithm,
which maps the characteristics of a person’s face into a multi-dimensional
face shape. An emerging trend in Face Recognition Systems is three dimensional
face recognition.
Computer conducts a facial database search, one-to-one or
one-to-many verification. This ensures secure access to devices like mobile
phones, computers or laptops, etc. The image is captured with the help of a
Web camera. The computer is designed to distinguish the same person with different
appearances. An individual’s appearance can be traced over a change in
his hairstyle, with or without glasses, change in skin colour, or hair colour,
age etc. The introduction of FERET database, the de-facto standard in facial
recognition evaluation, has made the approach more secure and reliable than
the previous algorithms. The software assigns numerical values to facial features,
generating a unique “faceprint” which can be verified against the
existing database of faceprints.
How is it done?
Face Recognition Software falls under a large group of technologies
known as biometrics such as iris recognition system or fingerprints. To verify
an identity, biometrics uses biological information. The authentication is done
through a series of steps. First, the system is attached to video surveillance,
the software searches the field of view of a video camera for faces. If there
is a face in view, it is detected within a fraction of second. In cases of low
resolution, a multi-scale algorithm is used. Once a face is detected the system
determines the position of the head, the size and pose. FRS translates the facial
date into unique code, allowing easy comparison of the newly recorded data with
the previously stored data. Once the facial data is stored it can be compared
to voluminous face prints. A face is digitised and compared against the database
to determine if the person is allowed to enter a facility or use a system. Each
faceprint is stored in an 84-byte file.
It is expected that Face Recognition System may replace the
need of password or PIN for identification and verification, for example to
access ATMs.
Where do I buy this!
The two principal vendors of Face Recognition System are
Visionics in New Jersey and Viisage in Massachusetts. Viisage Inc. is one the
leading vendorsof this system. Some other vendors are A4Vision(USA), Cognitec
(Germany), Imagis (Canada) to name a few.
Some places where this technology is being used are the London
Borough of Newham in UK, as an FRS built into their borough-wide CCTV system,
the German Federal Police uses FRS to authorise voluntary subscribers to move
through fully automated border controls at the Frankfurt Rhein Main International
airport, subscribers need to be European Union or Swiss citizens. The technology
is also used in casinos to keep a watch on card counters and other blacklisted
individuals. In 2000, the Mexican government employed FRS in presidential election
to prevent voter fraud.
For more information visit: www.facedetection.com/index.htm
—Garima Grover
grover_garima@hotmail.com
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