Machine vision system and method for estimating and tracking facial pose
First Claim
1. An attention detection system for determining whether a computer application should execute an action, comprising:
- an image captured by a camera that contains the user'"'"'s head and face;
a display device for providing visual information to the user;
a yaw center line defined as a line in an x-z yaw plane that bisects the user'"'"'s head into two approximately equal parts;
a deviation angle that indicates an angle between a center of the camera and a center of the user'"'"'s face;
a threshold angle that is compared to the deviation angle to determine whether the user is facing the display device; and
a facial pose estimation system that processes the image and uses the threshold angle to determine whether a user is gazing at the display device and instructs the computer application whether to execute an action based on the determination.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for estimating and tracking an orientation of a user'"'"'s face by combining head tracking and face detection techniques. The orientation of the face, or facial pose, can be expressed in terms of pitch, roll and yaw of the user'"'"'s head. Facial pose information can be used, for example, to ascertain in which direction the user is looking. In general, the facial pose estimation method obtains a position of the head and a position of the face and compares the two to obtain the facial pose. In particular, a camera is used to obtain an image containing a user'"'"'s head. Any movement of the user'"'"'s head is tracked and the head position is determined. A face then is detected on the head and the face position is determined. The head and face positions then are compared.
5 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An attention detection system for determining whether a computer application should execute an action, comprising:
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an image captured by a camera that contains the user'"'"'s head and face; a display device for providing visual information to the user; a yaw center line defined as a line in an x-z yaw plane that bisects the user'"'"'s head into two approximately equal parts; a deviation angle that indicates an angle between a center of the camera and a center of the user'"'"'s face; a threshold angle that is compared to the deviation angle to determine whether the user is facing the display device; and a facial pose estimation system that processes the image and uses the threshold angle to determine whether a user is gazing at the display device and instructs the computer application whether to execute an action based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-implemented attention detection system for determining where a user'"'"'s attention is focused, comprising:
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at least one monitor that provides the user with visual information; a camera disposed on the monitor that captures images of the user including a head of the user; a yaw center line defined as a line in an x-z yaw plane that bisects the user'"'"'s head into two approximately equal parts; a deviation angle that indicates an angle between a center of the camera and the yaw center line; a threshold angle that is compared to the deviation angle to determine the facial pose information; and a facial pose estimation system that receives and uses the captured images and yaw center line to output the facial pose information containing an estimate of a facial pose of the user to determine where the user'"'"'s attention is focused. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-implemented method for determining where a user'"'"'s attention is focused in relation to a computer display device, comprising:
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capturing an image of the user'"'"'s head and face using a camera; calculating a centroid of the user'"'"'s head and a centroid of the user'"'"'s face; computing a deviation angle using the centroid of the user'"'"'s head and the centroid of the user'"'"'s face; comparing the deviation angle and a threshold angle using the computer to determine where the user'"'"'s attention is focused in relative to a computer display device; and instructing a computer application whether to execute an action based on where the user'"'"'s attention is focused. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification