Cutting-edge face recognition software can revolutionize security systems, especially if it can see through disguises.

Every face has special features that define that person, yet faces can also be very similar, explained Lin Huang from Florida Atlantic University (FLA), in Boca Raton. 

This makes the computerized face recognition for security and other applications very interesting but difficult task. But, powerful techniques have so far required powerful computers. 

Huang and colleagues Hanqi Zhuang and Salvatore Morgera, have applied a one-dimensional filter to the two-dimensional data from conventional analyses, such as the Gabor method. 

This allows them to reduce significantly the amount of computer power required without compromising accuracy. It can even see through certain types of disguises such as facial hair and glasses. 

The team tested the performance of their new algorithm on a standard database of 400 images of 40 subjects. 

They found that their technique is not only faster and works with low resolution images, such as those produced by standard CCTV cameras, but also solves the variation problems caused by different light levels and shadows, viewing direction, pose, and facial expressions. 

Face recognition software has been in development for many years. But, for biometric authentication at border crossings, for access to buildings, for automated banking, crime investigation, and other applications, it has not yet become a mainstream application. 

The main technical limitation is although the systems are accurate they require a lot of computer power, said a FLA release. These findings were published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications.