IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,974,446
Granted Patent B2
US 7,974,446 · App. 11/821,826 · Granted Jul 5, 2011

Face authentication system and face authentication method

Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,974,446
App. No.
11/821,826
Granted
Jul 5, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A face authentication system includes a data input section for obtaining three-dimensional data concerning a face area of a subject at multiple points, and a processor for performing a registration process or a verification process of authentication data of the subject based on the three-dimensional data. The processor has a quality rater for rating a quality of the three-dimensional data with respect to each of the points of the three-dimensional data to generate quality data, and a quality distribution deriving section for deriving a distribution of the quality with respect to the face area, based on the quality data.

Claims (29)

1. A face authentication system, comprising:

a data input section for obtaining three-dimensional data concerning a face area of a subject at multiple points; and

a processor for performing a registration process or a verification process of authentication data of the subject based on the three-dimensional data,

the processor including:

a quality rater for rating a quality of the three-dimensional data with respect to a specified number of points of the three-dimensional data to generate quality data;

a quality distribution deriving section for deriving a distribution of the quality with respect to the face area, based on the quality data; and

a judging section for judging whether the registration process or the verification process is to be executed, based on a result on the quality distribution derived by the quality distribution deriving section, the judging section performing the judgment based on a localization degree with respect to a part of the face area where the quality of the three-dimensional data is rated to be low, and a ratio of the part of the face area where the quality of the three-dimensional data is rated to be low relative to the face area.

2. The face authentication system according to claim 1 , wherein

the quality rater rates the quality of the three-dimensional data, using a predetermined threshold value, and

the quality distribution deriving section derives a localization degree with respect to a part of the face area where the quality of the three-dimensional data is rated to be low.

3. The face authentication system according to claim 1 , wherein

the quality rater rates the quality of the three-dimensional data in terms of a reliability value, using a predetermined criterion, and

the quality distribution deriving section derives a localization degree with respect to the face area to which the reliability value of the three-dimensional data is set.

4. The face authentication system according to claim 2 , wherein the quality distribution deriving section derives the localization degree in an axis direction corresponding to a transverse direction of the face of the subject.

5. The face authentication system according to claim 2 , wherein

the processor includes a rating area specifying section for removing an area corresponding to a uniquely identifying portion of a living body from the face area to specify a rating area, and

the quality distribution deriving section derives the localization degree with respect to the rating area.

6. The face authentication system according to claim 5 , wherein the uniquely identifying portion of the living body is an area corresponding to the eyes and a moustache/beard of the subject.

7. The face authentication system according to claim 2 , wherein the quality distribution deriving section derives the localization degree, based on a symmetry degree concerning a predetermined position of the face of the subject, as a reference.

8. The face authentication system according to claim 1 , wherein

the judging section generates and outputs a predetermined notification signal, if the judging section judges that the registration process or the verification process is not to be executed.

9. The face authentication system according to claim 8 , further comprising an audio output section for converting the notification signal into audio information to output the audio information.

10. The face authentication system according to claim 8 , further comprising a display section for converting the notification signal into image information to display the image information.

11. The face authentication system according to claim 1 , wherein the judging section generates and outputs a notification signal of prompting a user to change a condition for acquiring the three-dimensional data by the data input section, or a control signal for changing the condition for acquiring the three-dimensional data, if the judging section judges that the registration process or the verification process is not be executed.

12. A face authentication method, comprising:

obtaining three-dimensional data concerning a face area of a subject;

rating a quality of the three-dimensional data with respect to each of predetermined parts of the three-dimensional data;

obtaining a distribution of the quality with respect to the face area, based on a result on the quality obtained in the rating; and

judging whether a registration process or a verification process is to be executed, based on a result on the quality distribution, the judging being performed based on a localization degree with respect to a part of the face area where the quality of the three-dimensional data is rated to be low, and a ratio of the part of the face area where the quality of the three-dimensional data is rated to be low relative to the face area.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2007
From: FUJIWARA, KOJI
To: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 019525/0534 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2006-180297 · Jun 29, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080002866A1 · Jan 3, 2008