Patent ID: 7454039

Claim:
A method for performing face shape localization in an image, comprising: deriving a model face shape from a database of a plurality of sample face shapes, said model face shape being defined by a set of landmarks; deriving a texture likelihood model of present sub-patches of said set of landmarks defining said model face shape in the image; and proposing a new set of landmarks that approximates a true location of features of the face shape based on a sample proposal model of said present sub-patches; wherein said deriving said texture likelihood model and said proposing said new set of landmarks are conducted using a CONDENSATION algorithm; and said model face shape is derived from a prior probabilistic distribution of a predefined model p(m), said texture likelihood model of said present sub-patches is derived from a local texture likelihood distribution model p(I|m), and said sample proposal model is derived based on a texture likelihood model of subsequent sub-patches of a set of landmarks in the image at proposed locations in a vicinity of said present sub-patches of said present set of landmarks.