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Computer Face Detection Routines Vary Considerably
Sensible Vision, with over 1.5 million installations, comments on a
recent blog posting concerning Hewlett Packard face detection for users
with darker skin complexions
Covert, Michigan, December 30, 2009 – Sensible Vision, the leading supplier of face authentication
systems, today commented on recent discussion surrounding Hewlett
Packard’s face tracking software. Sensible Vision software is not
included in HP products.
Sensible Vision’s FastAccess™ face recognition software is
currently in use by over one and a half million users including many in
security critical organizations such as hospitals, banks, and enterprise
IT. It is also offered as a standard or optional feature on Dell
computers and monitors.
Dark complexions need not affect face tracking and recognition in
most situations.
The blog post in question demonstrates how face detection software
included with an HP laptop fails to detect and track a face with a dark
complexion yet a light complexion face was successfully located.
“The response by HP that image processing is ultimately dependent on the
quality of the image being provided by the sensor (camera) and software
is correct.” said Cyrus Azar CTO of Sensible Vision. “The quality
of the detection, however, is also dramatically impacted by the
algorithms used by the software. Rather than use standard algorithms,
Sensible Vision has developed its own face detection routines to
reliably detect faces of both light and dark complexion users under a
wide variety of lighting conditions. Although no software can detect
faces under all conditions, using the video stream as provided in the
YouTube video “HP
computers are racist”, Sensible Vision’s FastAccess face recognition
software was easily able to track the user with a dark complexion.
Further, FastAccess was able to reliably recognize him as well.”
Background
Sensible Vision CTO Cyrus Azar further explained, “The HP feature
is “face tracking" software that is included with many webcams. It does
no recognition, but is intended to "zoom in" on the face of a person and
keep them centered in the frame. In order to zoom, the software must
first determine if a face is in front of the webcam. This process is
known as face detection.”
Azar noted “While we are pleased that our existing software works with
this YouTube video, it is important to keep improving our technology to
ensure the best operation in the widest variety of locations where a
person may use their computer. Recently we released our new feature
called FaceBright which further improves face detection and recognition
in difficult lighting by turning the computer’s monitor into a video
light. With FaceBright, in many cases a user can now have reliable face
detection and recognition in a room with little to no ambient light.”
About Sensible Vision
Headquartered in Covert, Michigan, Sensible Vision Inc. (www.sensiblevision.com)
is the leading provider of continuous access control solutions for
securing computers using facial recognition. Sensible Vision’s flagship product, FastAccess™ provides quick and
continuous authentication and access control for computers and
workstations. Using patent-pending biometric facial recognition, it
speeds and simplifies access to the computer in a way that is economical
and easy to deploy.
Contact
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FastAccess is a trademark of Sensible Vision, Inc. All other names and trademarks referenced herein are the properties of their respective owners. 2/2006
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