Gizmodo: say cheese

Researchers Announce '100% Accuracy' In Facial Recognition

Mark Wilson — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:26:05 EST

Psychology researchers from Glasgow University have just announced that they've developed a facial recognition algorithm that's 100% accurate in their testing. The technique essentially averages 20 photos into one composite but is able to disregard confounding variables like age, lighting, expression and camera equipment used. (I mean, you can see what they did to poor John Travolta.)

From their abstract:

Accurate face recognition is critical for many security applications. Current automatic face-recognition systems are defeated by natural changes in lighting and pose, which often affect face images more profoundly than changes in identity. The only system that can reliably cope with such variability is a human observer who is familiar with the faces concerned. We modeled human familiarity by using image averaging to derive stable face representations from naturally varying photographs. This simple procedure increased the accuracy of an industry standard face-recognition algorithm from 54% to 100%, bringing the robust performance of a familiar human to an automated system.

So even if their unworldly claims of 100% accuracy are possible, it seems that you need quite the baseline of photos to reach it. Here's hoping they can—wait, is this a good or a bad thing? I keep forgetting. [article via theregister]

Webcam Wrapped Up in Antique Disguise, Can Still Shoot Porn for the 00's

Charlie White — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:49:03 EST

Set up this retro webcam on its included tripod, and it looks like you have an old-timey Kodak Brownie camera set up and ready to take some snapshots. Other than its musty old faux leather-wrapped retro looks, it has standard webcam specs, such as 640x480 resolution, USB connectivity and a built-in microphone. Giving away its modernity is its blue LED tally light situated just under the lens, lighting up when you're saying "cheese" to the world. Now 23 skidoo, you mugs. [Boys Stuff, via Technabob]

Smile Measuring Software Helps You Smile To Full Capacity

ybaranovsky — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:20:21 EDT

Don't you hate accidentally smiling at 17% capacity and having no one tell you? Omron has released what they're calling "Smile Measurement Software," which tells you what your smile factor is on a scale of 0 to 100%. The software uses 3D face mapping technology to, "ensure accurate smile detection and measurement even when the subject is not looking into the camera"—which is great for when you're really trying to get 83% joy out of someone.

The software can be used on digital cameras, mobile phones and things of that nature to —well, I'm not sure. It'd be a useful little gadget to put in a screening room for a comedy, or measure how happy your friends are in your company. Either way, I eagerly await to see what creepy uses are thought of for this technology. [Akihabara News]

Southern China to Tape Entire Population

Mark Wilson — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:36:19 EDT

China, in an effort to curb criminal activity, is installing 20,000 cameras in Shenzen. Cameras will track the city's 12.4 million people, and are fitted with software from American firm that promises to automatically detect the faces of those breaking the law.

But there's more: 180,000 other cameras are constantly filming in Shenzen, many closed for business use only. These cameras can be tied in with the police system for literally 10 times the cameras hooked to the system.

Citizens of Shenzen will also soon be required to carry ID cards that include normal name and address, but also "work history, educational background, religion, ethnicity, police record, medical insurance status...even personal 'reproductive' history," the NY times explains.

Yes, it's totally the stuff of Big Brother. But honestly, I don't mind public cameras staring at me. It's the ones hidden in locker rooms I'm worried about (not that I'll be taped, but that someone will find it and track my signal). [nyt via boingboing]

World's Biggest Camera, Not So Portable

msparkes — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:32:28 EDT

On Monday the world's biggest camera took the world's biggest picture - a not very wallet-friendly 31' by 111'. The camera body was an aircraft hangar, the film was cloth soaked in light sensitive chemicals and the exposure was a tedious ten days. Of course, there are limited options with a camera this big, and it can only snap whatever happens to be in front of it - a disused Marine Corps Air Station.

All in all then, this is one useless, but awesome, camera. The unusual undertaking was the work of the Legacy Project, done in order to get into the Guinness Book of Records. The image will be on display at the Art Center College of Design in Pasedina, California, from September the 6th to 29th. [Sci Fi Tech]

Snaps With the iPhone

kevinhall2 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:03:52 EDT

Here's a little demo of the iPhone camera feature. Say, who are those two lovely guys on the first photo? Working hard, from the looks of it! The iPhone zooms and slides easy, and the pinch, after you figure out which way you're going, is nice and smooth. The gyroscope is great for landscapes and cool to boot, and the iris effect is just a nice touch. The only real complaint is that sliding often leaves smudges, which is distracting when you're trying to look at photos.
– Video by Nick McGlynn