Patent ID: 6697504
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A method of multi-level facial image recognition, comprising the steps of:(A) inputting an original image of a face; (B) performing a pre-process to trim the original image into a facial image only containing a complete face image; (C) decomposing the facial image into N resolutions, each having M channels, where N&gE;2 and M&gE;2, so that the facial image is decomposed into NÃ—M sub-images; (D) in a learning stage, using a front facial image with a normal expression as a learning image; inputting sub-images decomposed from the learning image to NÃ—M self-organizing map neural networks, respectively, for performing a non-supervisory classification learning; when the neural networks complete a predetermined learning process, the sub-images of the learning image being input to M neural networks that has completed the learning again, so that each neural network generates a winning unit; and (E) in a testing stage, decomposing a test image thereby starting from the M sub-images having a lowest resolution and inputting the sub-images into the corresponding self-organized map neural networks for generating M winning units; performing a recognition decision process for determining distances from the M winning units to the winning units of each learning image in a corresponding self-organizing map neural network thereby finding possible candidates, and if there is only one candidate, the candidate being a winner and the decision process being completed, while there are more than one candidates, the candidates being retained for performing a decision process in a relative high level of resolution.