Facial recognition

Facial recognition is the ability of a computer or another electronic device to recognize who a person is by "reading" the person's face. The device reads a person's face using a webcam and can recognize features on the face that allows the device to know, or recognize, a person. Facial recognition falls into a category of software called biometric software, which focuses on characteristics of a person, including physical and behavioral.

For facial recognition to work, the device needs to do an initial scan of the person's face. A scan is performed of the face, mapping the size and position of the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, and chin. Together, all these facial features allow facial recognition software to create a faceprint, which is similar to a fingerprint, but for a person's face.

Some companies employ facial recognition to allow employees to access a building, specific rooms in a building, or access secure files stored on computer systems. Facial recognition can provide a business with strong security for any needs they have. If used with voice recognition, security can be greatly improved.

Another example for using facial recognition is with Windows 10. Logging into a computer or a specific user account on a computer with Windows 10 can be done using facial recognition. When enabled, the user looks at the computer's webcam when prompted, and the Windows 10 security system uses facial recognition to log the user into Windows. A password is no longer the key required to log in, but rather a user's face becomes the key.

In 2017, Apple introduced Face ID, a facial recognition technology for the iPhone X that unlocks the phone and authorize online purchases.

Biometrics, Gesture recognition, Handwriting recognition, OCR, Pattern recognition, Security terms, Software terms