IP Library Granted Patent US 7,760,933
Granted Patent B2
US 7,760,933 · App. 11/596,431 · Granted Jul 20, 2010

Parameter estimation method, parameter estimation device and collation method

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,760,933
App. No.
11/596,431
Granted
Jul 20, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A parameter estimation method for estimating a parameter by estimating maximum a posteriori probability for input data. Operation for the input data is expressed by an inner product for the input data and the inner product is replaced by a Kernel function. By using the calculation result of the kernel function, a parameter is estimated. The method includes a step (offline operation) for learning a correlation between a plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known and the parameter corresponding to each of the learning input data; and a step (online operation) for estimating the parameter for the estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown, by using the learned correlation.

Claims (41)

1. A collation method using a parameter estimation device, comprising:

learning means for learning a correlation between a plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known and a parameter corresponding to each of the learning input data; and

estimation means for estimating a parameter with respect to estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown by using the learned correlation;

wherein the learning means including a learning kernel matrix calculation means for calculating a learning kernel matrix by using the plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known, and an eigenvalue calculation means for obtaining an eigenvalue and an eigenvector of an inverse matrix of the learning kernel matrix; and

the estimation means including an estimation kernel calculation means for calculating an estimation kernel by using the estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown and the learning input data, and a parameter calculation means for calculating a parameter with respect to the estimating input data by using the learning kernel matrix, and the eigenvalue and the eigenvector of the inverse matrix of the learning kernel matrix;

wherein the estimating input data and the learning input data are an image including a face, and the parameter to be estimated is a coordinate of a feature of the face;

the method comprising:

estimating a coordinate of a feature of a face with respect to a face image to be collated by using the parameter estimation device;

then cutting out a face region based on the coordinate of the feature of the face; and

collating a face image registered in the face image database with the cut-out face region.

2. A collation method using a parameter estimation device, comprising:

learning means for learning a correlation between a plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known and a parameter corresponding to each of the learning input data; and

estimation means for estimating a parameter with respect to estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown by using the learned correlation;

wherein the learning means including a learning kernel matrix calculation means for calculating a learning kernel matrix by using the plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known, and an eigenvalue calculation means for obtaining an eigenvalue and an eigenvector of an inverse matrix of the learning kernel matrix; and

the estimation means including an estimation kernel calculation means for calculating an estimation kernel by using the estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown and the learning input data, and a parameter calculation means for calculating a parameter with respect to the estimating input data by using the learning kernel matrix, and the eigenvalue and the eigenvector of the inverse matrix of the learning kernel matrix;

wherein the estimating input data and the learning input data are an image including a face, and the parameter to be estimated is a coordinate of a feature of the face,

the method comprising:

repeating a face image normalization operation plural times, the operation including estimating a coordinate of a feature of a face by using the parameter estimation device and normalizing an image region based on the coordinate of the feature of the face;

then cutting out a face region based on the coordinate of the feature of the face; and

collating a face image registered in the face image database with the cut-out face region.

3. A collation method using a parameter estimation device, comprising:

learning means for learning a correlation between a plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known and a parameter corresponding to each of the learning input data; and

estimation means for estimating a parameter with respect to estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown by using the learned correlation;

wherein the learning means including a learning kernel matrix calculation means for calculating a learning kernel matrix by using the plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known, and an eigenvalue calculation means for obtaining an eigenvalue and an eigenvector of an inverse matrix of the learning kernel matrix; and

the estimation means including an estimation kernel calculation means for calculating an estimation kernel by using the estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown and the learning input data, and a parameter calculation means for calculating a parameter with respect to the estimating input data by using the learning kernel matrix, and the eigenvalue and the eigenvector of the inverse matrix of the learning kernel matrix;

wherein the estimating input data and the learning input data are an image including a face, and the parameter to be estimated is height information of the face image;

and a face image database,

the method comprising:

estimating height information with respect to a face image to be collated by using the parameter estimation device; and

then synthesizing a two-dimensional image seen from a same angle as an angle of a face image registered in the face image database based on the height information of the face image and carrying out a collation.

4. A collation method using a parameter estimation device, comprising:

learning means for learning a correlation between a plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known and a parameter corresponding to each of the learning input data; and

estimation means for estimating a parameter with respect to estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown by using the learned correlation;

wherein the learning means including a learning kernel matrix calculation means for calculating a learning kernel matrix by using the plurality of learning input data in which a parameter to be estimated is known, and an eigenvalue calculation means for obtaining an eigenvalue and an eigenvector of an inverse matrix of the learning kernel matrix; and

the estimation means including an estimation kernel calculation means for calculating an estimation kernel by using the estimating input data in which a parameter to be estimated is unknown and the learning input data, and a parameter calculation means for calculating a parameter with respect to the estimating input data by using the learning kernel matrix, and the eigenvalue and the eigenvector of the inverse matrix of the learning kernel matrix;

wherein the estimating input data and the learning input data are an image including a face, and the parameter to be estimated is height information of the face image;

and a face image database,

the method comprising:

estimating height information with respect to a face image registered in the face image database by using the parameter estimation device;

then synthesizing a two-dimensional image seen from an angle that is different from an angle of the registered face image; and

additionally registering the synthesized two-dimensional image in the face image database.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 24, 2008
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021897/0689 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2006
From: NAGAO, ETSUKO (LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF DECEASED INVENTOR, KENJI NAGAO)
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 018626/0465 →