Is face recognition possible while...
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Is face recognition possible while wearing a mask?
A mask that can be worn all the time to prevent infection with the new coronavirus. The face recognition function is worrisome due to the influence of masks. Does facial recognition fail when wearing a mask? I tried it.
In this experiment, we investigated whether facial recognition would succeed by changing the type of mask and how to wear it (Fig.1-1). The target devices are iPhone 12, Android smartphones, and Windows computers. The iPhone 12 and Android smartphones used the standard face recognition function, and the Windows PC used the OS authentication function "Windows Hello" and software dedicated to face recognition for companies. In addition, the OS and software were updated as of August 2021 (Table 1-1).
Fig. 1-1●Image of the face recognition experiment conducted this time by changing the type of mask and wearing method. Targeting four types of devices equipped with a face recognition function, we investigated whether authentication was possible by changing the type of mask and wearing method. [Click image to enlarge]Table 1-1●Equipment and camera type used in experiments using smartphones and Windows PCs. The iPhone 12 and Android phones used the standard facial recognition feature. [Click image to view larger image]First, we registered a face without a mask on the face recognition function, and examined whether it could be authenticated with a general non-woven mask on the face.
As a result, only the facial recognition software succeeded, and the iPhone 12, Android smartphone, and Windows Hello failed (Table 1-2).
Table 1-2●Experimental results when the authentication is successful if the nose is sticking out under any condition. When the mask was worn properly, authentication failed with software other than face authentication software. On the other hand, sticking the nose out of the mask was successful in both conditions. [Click image to enlarge]Next, I tried a cloth mask instead of a non-woven mask. The iPhone 12 and Windows PC used in the experiment are equipped with an infrared camera, so we thought that a cloth mask would make it easier for authentication to succeed because the face could be seen through.
But the results were the same as with non-woven masks. Authentication failed with software other than face authentication dedicated software for Windows PCs.
I also changed the way I wear the mask. In the experiment, the mask was shifted downward so that the entire nose was visible. It is in the state of a "nose mask" that is said to be a violation of manners.
In this state, both the non-woven mask and the cloth mask were successfully authenticated with all devices and face recognition functions.
From the results of this experiment, it was found that even if you wear a mask with iPhone 12, Android smartphone, or Windows Hello, you can authenticate by shifting the mask so that the entire nose is visible. If you usually wear a mask tightly and shift the mask only during face authentication, you will be able to use face authentication appropriately while reducing the risk of infection.
In addition, when we conducted a similar experiment two years ago, we were unable to perform authentication while wearing a mask, even with facial recognition software. Recently, facial recognition products and services that officially claim to be “mask compatible” have appeared. Face recognition seems to be evolving with the times.
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