Safe illumination for computerized facial recognition
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. An apparatus comprising:
a processor;
an infrared (IR) image acquiring device coupled to the processor;
an IR light source coupled to the processor and positioned proximate to the image acquiring device;
memory coupled to the processor including code segments executable on the processor for:
setting an IR level of the IR light source to a first predetermined level;
reading an image with the IR image acquiring device;
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 of the IR light source to a second predetermined level;
reading an image; and
determining if a face is recognized.
2. An apparatus 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. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory further comprises code segments executable on the processor for:
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. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the memory further comprises code segments executable on the processor for:
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. An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the memory further comprises code segments executable on the processor for:
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.