Patent ID: 7447338

Claim:
A method of detecting a face using a pattern classifier having learned face images and near-face images, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of face images and a plurality of near-face images and extracting a plurality of face basis vectors expressing the face images and a plurality of near-face basis vectors expressing the near-face images; (b) extracting face feature vectors and near-face feature vectors by projecting the face images and the near-face images upon the face and near-face basis vectors; (c) classifying the face feature vectors and the near-face feature vectors into a plurality of predetermined sub-classes; (d) training a plurality of pattern classifiers that correspond to the plurality of predetermined sub-classes, wherein the pattern classifier corresponding to a certain sub-class is trained using the face feature vectors and near-face feature vectors, which are included in the sub-class; and (e) extracting a feature vector of an image, which is input for face detection, applying the feature vector of the input image to only one pattern classifier of the plurality of pattern classifiers, wherein the one pattern classifier corresponds to the sub-class including the feature vector of the input image, and determining whether the input image is a face image using the pattern classifier.