Safe illumination for computerized facial recognition
View Patent ↗In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes setting an IR (infrared) level to a first predetermined level. The method also includes reading an image and determining if a face is detected. If a face is not detected, the method sets the IR level to zero and waits a first predetermined amount of time. The method further includes repeating the setting the IR level to the first predetermined level and the reading an image. The method also includes determining a face is detected. The method further includes setting the IR level to a second predetermined level. The method also includes reading an image and determining if a face is recognized. The method may further include setting the IR level to zero and waiting a second predetermined amount of time. The method may also include setting the IR level to the first predetermined level, reading an image and determining if a face is detected.
1. A method comprising:
setting an IR (infrared) level to a first predetermined level;
reading an image;
determining if a face is detected;
if a face is not detected, setting the IR level to zero;
waiting a first predetermined amount of time;
repeating the setting the IR level to the first predetermined level and then reading an image;
determining a face is detected;
setting the IR level to a second predetermined level;
reading an image; and
determining if a face is recognized.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein:
determining if a face is recognized includes attempting facial recognition; and
determining if a face is detected includes attempting facial detection.
3. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:
setting the IR level to zero;
waiting a second predetermined amount of time;
setting the IR level to the first predetermined level;
reading an image; and
determining if a face is detected.
4. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising:
if a face is detected, setting the IR level to zero;
waiting a second predetermined amount of time;
setting the IR level to the first predetermined level;
reading an image; and
determining if a face is detected.
5. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising:
if a face is not detected, setting the IR level to zero;
waiting a first predetermined amount of time;
repeating the setting the IR level to the first predetermined level and the reading an image;
determining a face is detected;
setting the IR level to a second predetermined level;
reading an image; and
determining if a face is recognized.
6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the first predetermined time is longer than the second predetermined time.
7. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the first predetermined level is lower than the second predetermined level.
8. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the method operates in a device with a cabinet, a processor coupled to the cabinet, an image acquiring device coupled to the processor and mounted on the cabinet, and a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes coupled to the processor and mounted on the cabinet in proximity to the image acquiring device.