Background

Facial recognition is one of many biometric security methods that have emerged over the last few years. Most systems currently available use 2D techniques and are not very reliable. Use of 3D involves an exponential increase in complexity, and 3D facial recognition systems are still in their infancy due to this increased complexity, as well as problems associated with matching database images with current ones.

The technology

Engineers at Sheffield Hallam University have developed a suite of 3D facial capture, reconstruction and matching algorithms, which work with a single camera shot using structured light stripes. The system has been modified and works with infra red light.

Benefits

This system will provide a 3D reconstruction and matching in a fraction of a second, using a single camera shot, with the benefits of high speed and low cost hardware.

Development stage

The algorithms and code are fully developed and tested, and would require modification for hardware integration and calibration in order to be implemented. The University is actively seeking licensing partners.

Lead researcher(s)

Professor Marcos Rodrigues