Photo: NEC
tech

NEC face recognition engine provides highly accurate results even when face masks are worn

8 Comments

NEC Corp has announced the strengthening of its face recognition technology, already recognized as the world's most accurate, with the development of a new face recognition engine that provides high-precision certification even when masks are worn.

The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has had a major impact on people's lives and economic activities. As part of this, governments around the world are encouraging the use of face masks as a basic measure to combat infections under the “New Normal." In conjunction with this, there is a need for face recognition technologies to adapt, as they are widely used for personal identification purposes in mobile devices, workplaces and a wide range of facilities.

NEC has an established history of developing face recognition technology that is compatible with face masks, but recently developed a face recognition engine that is specially designed to recognize subjects wearing face masks. Face recognition operates by extracting feature points, such as the position, shape, and size of a subject's eyes, nose, and mouth, and matching and identifying detected faces. This engine focuses on areas surrounding an individual's eyes that are not covered by masks to extract and analyze characteristics.

Once this engine detects the presence of a mask in a face image, the most appropriate facial recognition algorithm is used to extract and check the characteristics of each individual. This enables high-precision certification even when there is a mix of mask wearers and non-wearers.

NEC's internal evaluation using this engine confirmed a high recognition accuracy, with a rate of over 99.9% in 1:1 verification when masks of various colors and patterns were worn.

NEC aims to begin sales of the new engine with products that include "NEC Enhanced Video Analytics," which supports integrated solutions that combine face recognition with various image analysis functions, and "Bio-IDiom Services", which utilize a variety of face and other biometric information to provide multi-modal biometrics solutions. These products and services are the functions of the “NEC DX Platform" for integrating biometrics, video analysis, AI, and security technologies while providing comprehensive services from applications to networks.

NEC is applying this engine for demonstration tests at NEC headquarters for a system that links face recognition and thermal cameras at walkthrough gates managing entrances and exits.

Source: NEC

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

8 Comments
Login to comment

As an American, our recognition software can't even recognize superman without glasses. Wear a mask and you become a ghost.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

iPhone facial recognition works great if you don’t cover your nose with your mask.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

GREAT development. Congratulations.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Face recognition operates by extracting feature points, such as the position, shape, and size of a subject's eyes, nose, and mouth, and matching and identifying detected faces. This engine focuses on areas surrounding an individual's eyes that are not covered by masks to extract and analyze characteristics.

LOL

Disruptive pattern face mask combined with reflective sunglasses. Lol indeed!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Twist: Wearing a mask with a pattern, design, or picture renders it useless.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Great. This tech will keep Japan safe.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Twist: Wearing a mask with a pattern, design, or picture renders it useless.

LOL:

Face recognition operates by extracting feature points, such as the position, shape, and size of a subject's eyes, nose, and mouth, and matching and identifying detected faces. This engine focuses on areas surrounding an individual's eyes that are not covered by masks to extract and analyze characteristics.

LOL

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

It's amazing technology.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites