Method for classifying features and a map representing the features

• US 6,091,836 A
• Filed: 09/04/1997
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shiseido Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Shiseido Company Limited
• Inventors: Shigemi, Yukie, Kobayashi, Namiko, Nishijima, Etsu, Takano, Ruriko, Suzuki, Setsuko, Abe, Tsuneyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): BELLA, MATTHEW C
• Application Number:
  US08/923,336
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/111, 382/115, 382/117, 382/118, 382/199, 364/512, 235/380, 283/70, 283/77, 340/825.34, 902/3, 434/100
• US Class Current: 382/118
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/005 for selecting or displaying personal cosmetic colours or hairstyle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/168 Feature extraction; Face representation

Abstract

A method for classifying a face in which facial features are analyzed so that the face is appropriately classified or recognized in order to facilitate an exact and easy creation of an image produced by applying makeup. A first index represents one of a length of the face and a configuration of formational elements of the face, the formational elements including an eye, an eyebrow, a mouth and a nose. A second index represents one of a contour of the face and a contour of each of the formational elements of the face. A face is classified into one of groups of features each of which provides similar impressions by using the first index and the second index.

Claims

1. A method for classifying features of a face so as to provide a guideline for applying desired makeup to the face, comprising the steps of:

a) preparing a first index representing one of a length of the face and a configuration of formational elements of the face, said formational elements including an eye, an eyebrow, a mouth and a nose, and preparing a second index representing one of a contour of the face and a contour of each of the formational elements of the face;

b) classifying the face into one of groups of features each of which provides similar appearance by using said first index and said second index; and

c) obtaining the guideline for the desired makeup in accordance with the one of the groups of features.

2. A method of classifying features of a face so as to provide a guideline for applying desired makeup to the face, comprising the steps of:

a) preparing two-dimensional coordinates defined by a balance axis and a form axis, said balance axis representing one of a length of the face and a configuration of formation elements of the face, said formational elements including an eye, an eyebrow, a mouth and a nose, said form axis representing one of a contour of the face and a contour of at least one of the formational elements of the face;

b) classifying the face into one of groups of features each of which provides similar appearance by locating the face on the coordinates; and

c) obtaining the guideline for the desired makeup in accordance with the one of the groups of features.

3. A features map used for classifying features of a face, said features map comprising two-dimensional coordinates defined by a first axis and a second axis, said first axis representing one of a length of the face and an arrangement of formational elements of the face, said formational elements including an eye, an eyebrow, a mouth and a nose, said second axis representing one of a contour of the face and a contour of at least one of the formational elements of the face, the features map classifying the features of the face into one of groups of features each of which provides similar appearance by locating the face on the coordinates so as to provide a guideline for applying desired makeup to the face in accordance with the one of the groups of the features.

4. The features map as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first axis represents a length of the face so that the length of the face increases toward one side of said first axis and the length of the face decreases toward the other side of the first axis, and wherein said second axis represents a degree of curvilinearity or linearity of contours of the face and the formational elements of the face so that the curvilinearity increases toward one side of the second axis and the linearity increases toward the other side of the second axis.

5. The features map as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first axis further represents a degree of separation of the formational elements of the face so that a first distance between each of the formational elements and a longitudinal center of the face is increased toward said one side of said first axis and the first distance is decreased toward said other side of said first axis.

6. The features map as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first axis further represents a degree of separation of the formational elements of the face so that a second distance between each of the formational elements and a transverse center of the face is decreased toward said one side of said first axis and the second distance is increased toward said other side of said first axis.

7. The features map as claimed in claim 3, wherein a face image is presented in each of quadrants of said two-dimensional coordinates, said face image providing an impression of the face corresponding to the respective quadrants.

8. The features map as claimed in claim 3, wherein a typical impression of a face is presented in each of quadrants of said two-dimensional coordinates, said typical impression being provided by the face corresponding to the respective quadrants.