What Is Image Processing Face Recognition?

Image processing facial recognition can have many applications.
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  • Written By: Alex Newth
  • Edited By: Angela B.
  • Last Modified Date: 31 May 2015
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Image processing face recognition is a computerized technique that uses an algorithm to locate and recognize a face in an image, and this technology has several uses. While there are many different facial recognition algorithms available, most programs use edge or eye detection to locate a face. Not only does image processing face recognition find a face, but most algorithms also show the user the exact pixel location of the face within the image, making it easier to find a certain face in a crowded or blurred image. In the entertainment industry, facial recognition is used for face tracking in motion capture, which is used for more realistic animation. Another common use for this technique is in facial recognition security; the algorithm is typically specialized in this case to recognize only certain faces.

Creating an image processing face recognition algorithm can be done in many ways, but the two most common components are edge and eye detection. Edge detection is usually supplementary, because it is typically not as reliable as eye detection. With edge detection, the algorithm searches for edges and curves that are common on the human face. Eye detection looks for eyes, though some algorithms may only be able to recognize them if the image shows a person looking forward with both eyes exposed.


Aside from finding a face, this recognition algorithm usually displays the exact pixel coordinates of the face. For most users, especially in clear photos in which the face is easily found, this may not be very important. If users are searching through blurry and cluttered images, then knowing the exact pixel location can be important in finding and identifying a person in the image.

Another use for face recognition algorithms is in entertainment, especially with motion capture and performance capture animation. In this technique, actors and actresses act out scenes in front of a blue screen as they read their lines. This allows facial and body movements to be captured, which makes it easier to model the movements and increase realism. The actors and actresses wear special electrodes on their faces, and a facial recognition algorithm tracks all facial movements used for expressions. This algorithm is specialized to translate real-life facial images into animated images.

Specialized image processing face recognition algorithms are used in security systems that depend on authorizing visitors by their face. Unlike other algorithms, which just find a face, these algorithms are programmed to find a certain face. Typically, these algorithms have to find the common elements of a certain person's face — such as the eyes, jaw, ears and cheekbones — and then compare the face to one in its image database. If the faces are the same, then the visitor is granted access.


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Post 3

@bythewell - That might be a little bit over-dramatic. It's definitely something they are going to have to legislate properly, but I don't see how it's any different from having security cameras around in general. It just speeds up the search if the police are looking for a criminal.

And I think the technology is almost inevitable. But really, it would be so easy to fool if that was actually a concern. All you'd need to do is wear a fake nose or even just keep your hat down over your eyes.

Post 2

@Ana1234 - They are already starting to get into that legal tangle, with cases where famous people are put into video games without consenting to it.

I'm much more worried about the idea of them being able to pick anyone out of a crowd using identification technology. That will be the absolute end of any kind of privacy in the world.

Post 1

This is such an interesting technology and it's going to have big consequences in the next few decades. Motion capture, for example, might eventually become so sophisticated that it's not necessary for actors to show up to the studio. They already use stand-ins whenever an actor has his or her back to the camera, to cut costs. If they could get away with using a substitute to film the whole thing and then just slap a simulacrum of the star's face onto it, that would be much cheaper.

So actors would end up having to license their images in order to ensure that they don't get used for something they aren't willing to endorse.

In fact, everyone would have to do that, because if they can process any face, it means they could use any face.

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