3D face detection using curvature analysis

• DOI: 10.1016/j.patcog.2005.09.009
• Publication Date: 2005-11-21T15:21:36Z
• Authors: Alessandro Colombo; Claudio Cusano; Raimondo Schettini
• Keywords: three-dimensional face detection; face curvatures; HK classification; eigenfaces; face localization; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; 02 engineering and technology

Face detection is a crucial preliminary in many applications. Most of the approaches to face detection have focused on the use of two-dimensional images. We present an innovative method that combines a feature-based approach with a holistic one for three-dimensional (3D) face detection. Salient face features, such as the eyes and nose, are detected through an analysis of the curvature of the surface. Each triplet consisting of a candidate nose and two candidate eyes is processed by a PCA-based classifier trained to discriminate between faces and non-faces. The method has been tested, with good results, on some 150 3D faces acquired by a laser range scanner.