Face detection in digital images
US7218759B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V40/162
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the detection of faces in a digital image captured under a variety of lighting conditions are provided. Rather than subjecting an entire image to computationally intensive face detection analysis, the image is subjected to computationally simply analysis to identify candidate pixels likely to be of skin colour. Only those pixels having such color are subject to computationally intensive face detection analysis. The pixels are selected by first selecting a color distribution model based on an image capture condition provided with the color digial image. Then, the color of the pixels is tested using the distribution model to determine those pixels having predominantly skin color. Preferably, the distribution model is selected from among a number of different distribution models with each of the distribution models associated with a different set of lighting conditions. In this way, a face detection process may accommodate a variety of lighting conditions associated with the capture of an image using a computationally simple analysis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.