Animetrics receives patents for face recognition

Published 2 March 2010

The company receives three patents for generation of 3D models from arbitrary numbers of uncalibrated photographs; generating databases from 3D models for use in biometric systems for training or for recognition; and face recognition systems based on normalization using 3D models

Mapping the contours of the face // Source: biometricuae.com

Animetrics Inc., a developer of face recognition biometric solutions, has been granted patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patents are entitled “Facial Recognition System and Method,” “Generation of Image Database for Multifeatured Objects,” and “Viewpoint-Invariant Image Matching and Generation of 3D Models from 2D Imagery.” The company says these patents revolutionize the face biometric for use in security, surveillance, and computer vision.

“For the face biometric use in border control, in-the-field identification, and military operations our patents are ‘game changers’ and we have several more on the way,” said Paul Schuepp, president and CEO of Animetrics. “U.S. government tests by DARPA and NIST have shown that the face biometric for matching in non studio conditions where the face is not controlled and its appearance is compromised by pose and illumination show unacceptable performance. These patents cover Animetrics 2D-3D Facengine which enable biometric matching of the face in more difficult conditions than ever before. This opens up a wealth of opportunities and applications for us and for the market.” described Dr. Michael Miller, chairman and founder.

The technology covered by the patents provides methods for (i) generation of 3D models from arbitrary numbers of uncalibrated photographs at any orientation and scale; (ii) generating databases from 3D models for use in biometric systems for training or for recognition; and (iii) face recognition systems based on normalization using 3D models.

Animetrics has been active in facial biometric technologies since 2003. It is known for its 2D-3D face creation and Animetrics90 face recognition products. The company says it is in the process of implementing a facial surveillance system for U.S. Army. The 2D-3D facial creation technology is also available in Animetrics Forensica product line which is now being used by U.S. government intelligence community and forensics in law enforcement.

Udo Woermann, law enforcement forensic and biometric expert and president of UNIDAS said, “It’s impressive to see Animetrics 2D to 3D algorithms extract accurate 3D facial geometries from common 2D images.” UNIDAS will implement this technology into its I.S.I.S. Law Enforcement Application Suite to open the 3D world for the facial identification process in anti-terror and police investigations.