Neural Network Face Detection Heat Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional facial recognition systems are ineffective in situations involving non-full frontal facial images, requiring multiple training models for different aspects and orientations, which is time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A neural network is trained using a combination of convolutional filtering layers and fully-connected layers, refined to generate heat maps indicating the likelihood of human faces in digital images, capable of detecting faces oriented at various aspects with a smaller dataset compared to traditional methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple training models are used for different facial aspects and orientations, then detection accuracy for non-frontal faces is improved, but training time and computational resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple training models for different facial aspects (frontal, profile, and intermediate orientations) into a single integrated system. The neural network is trained on a comprehensive dataset containing faces at various orientations, enabling it to detect all facial aspects using one unified model rather than requiring separate models for each orientation, thereby reducing training time and computational overhead while maintaining high detection accuracy across all aspects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple training models are used for different facial aspects and orientations, then detection accuracy for non-frontal faces is improved, but computational resources and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal neural network model that can handle multiple facial aspects and orientations simultaneously. The system uses a single trained model that processes images containing faces at various orientations (frontal, profile, and intermediate angles) through one detection pipeline, eliminating the need for complex multi-model systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining universal detection capability across all facial aspects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If traditional facial recognition methods are used, then full frontal faces are detected accurately, but non-frontal faces fail to be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy for frontal facesVSAvoiddetection capability across aspects
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic detection approach where the neural network is trained to adaptively recognize faces at various orientations rather than relying on static frontal-face templates. The system dynamically adjusts to different facial aspects by learning orientation-invariant features from training data that includes frontal, profile, and intermediate orientations, enabling accurate detection across all aspects without requiring separate detection mechanisms for each orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive training data for all facial aspects is collected, then detection coverage is improved, but data collection time and resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoiddata collection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-training the neural network on a comprehensive dataset that includes faces at various orientations (frontal, profile, and intermediate angles). This pre-trained model can then be deployed directly for detection without requiring additional data collection for specific applications. The preliminary comprehensive training enables the system to handle diverse facial aspects out-of-the-box, eliminating the need for time-consuming data collection and retraining for each specific use case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9852492B2Face detection
Publication Date: 2017.12.26 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC
  • US9852492B2 patent drawing
  • US9852492B2 patent drawing
  • US9852492B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Briefly, embodiments of methods and/or systems of detecting and image of a human face in a digital image are disclosed. For one embodiment, as an example, parameters of a neural network may be developed to generate object labels for digital images. The developed parameters may be refined by a neural network to generate signal sample value levels corresponding to probability that a human face may be depicted at a localized region of a digital image.