Apple Face Detection Patent Hints at Possible PrimeSense Tech Headed For 'iPhone 8'

[MacRumors]

Apple was awarded a patent today that details a method of detecting faces in a digital video feed through the use of depth information.

Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the document describes how face detection algorithms could identify the presence of faces in a live video when people in the scene are located at different distances from the camera.

To reduce processing overhead and minimize error rates, the system applies depth information to existing face detection algorithms used in photography and intelligently scales the face window sizes according to their depth coordinates - i.e., the further away a face is from the lens, the smaller the capture frame around it.

The method utilizes a special infrared light to project an optical radiation pattern onto the scene, which is then converted into a depth map. As noted by AppleInsider, the depth mapping system referenced in the patent is based on motion tracking technology developed by Israeli motion capture firm PrimeSense, which Apple acquired in 2013.

While the system is able to recognize faces in general, it lacks the ability to identify individual differences between faces, so this isn't a bio-recognition solution in itself, but it could become a crucial enabling step in a wider authentication system.

Apple is said to be developing a "revolutionary" front-facing camera system for the upcoming "iPhone 8". The technology is rumored to consist of three modules to enable fully-featured 3D sensing capabilities. While there's no way to know for sure if this particular patent describes one of those modules, the upgraded camera system is said to be fueled by PrimeSense algorithms.

Article Link: Apple Face Detection Patent Hints at Possible PrimeSense Tech Headed For 'iPhone 8'

 

[benadd]

PrimeSense was an Israeli company, not Italian.

Apple was awarded a patent today that details a method of detecting faces in a digital video feed through the use of depth information.

Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the document describes how face detection algorithms could identify the presence of faces in a live video when people in the scene are located at different distances from the camera.

To reduce processing overhead and minimize error rates, the system applies depth information to existing face detection algorithms used in photography and intelligently scales the face window sizes according to their depth coordinates - i.e., the further away a face is from the lens, the smaller the capture frame around it.

The method utilizes a special infrared light to project an optical radiation pattern onto the scene, which is then converted into a depth map. As noted by AppleInsider, the depth mapping system referenced in the patent is based on motion tracking technology developed by Italian motion capture firm PrimeSense, which Apple acquired in 2013.

While the system is able to recognize faces in general, it lacks the ability to identify differences between individual faces, so this isn't a bio-recognition solution in itself, but it could become a crucial enabling step in a wider authentication system.

Apple is said to be developing a "revolutionary" front-facing camera system for the upcoming "iPhone 8". The technology is rumored to consist of three modules to enable fully-featured 3D sensing capabilities. While there's no way to know for sure if this particular patent describes one of those modules, the upgraded camera system is said to be fueled by PrimeSense algorithms.

Article Link: Apple Face Detection Patent Hints at Possible PrimeSense Tech Headed For 'iPhone 8'

 

[Roller]

PrimeSense is/was Israeli, not Italian. Interesting tech, though.

 

[TheHammer]

Selling my stock just befor iPhone 8, not because it will be poor, in fact I expect it to be excellent... still, it won't have the usb-c, full glass, oled with intergrated fingerprint scanner, with revolutionary front camera, full wireless charging, multi day battamerylife, quick charge, liquid metal and touch bar. These high expectations are going to make a great phone seem ordinary and people need to understand that.

 

[jonnysods]

So I can't unlock the phone down low if I need to be discreet about messaging someone or checking something?

 

[keysofanxiety]

So I can't unlock the phone down low if I need to be discreet about messaging someone or checking something?

As @djcerla stipulated in one thread, unlocking with face recognition would likely be a backup/secondary solution for Touch ID. So you can use either or.

 

[69Mustang]

That picture just looks (descriptively sounds) like the version 1 of the Kinect.

 

[newyorksole]

Selling my stock just befor iPhone 8, not because it will be poor, in fact I expect it to be excellent... still, it won't have the usb-c, full glass, oled with intergrated fingerprint scanner, with revolutionary front camera, full wireless charging, multi day battamerylife, quick charge, liquid metal and touch bar. These high expectations are going to make a great phone seem ordinary and people need to understand that.

I think you may be underestimating how big of a release this will be.

iPhone is Apple's cash cow. This is the 10 year anniversary and also will probably be the first event at Steve Jobs Theater.

It may not have all of THOSE features you listed, but whatever they release is going to be damn good. They wouldn't waste this release with mediocre features.

 

[69Mustang]

As @djcerla stipulated in one thread, unlocking with face recognition would likely be a backup/secondary solution for Touch ID. So you can use either or.

Every phone that's offering facial/retina/iris unlock is offering it as an option. There's no reason for anyone to think Apple would offer it as the only solution. People work themselves into a lather over nothing.

 

[keysofanxiety]

I think you may be underestimating how big of a release this will be.

iPhone is Apple's cash cow. This is the 10 year anniversary and also will probably be the first event at Steve Jobs Theater.

It may not have all of THOSE features you listed, but whatever they release is going to be damn good. They wouldn't waste this release with mediocre features.

I really hope you're right. My head tells me that it will be the iPhone 7S this year and the glorious redesign will take place next year.

My heart tells me that they'll pull the pipeline back a year and release it in tandem with the iPhone 7S at a higher price, due to the high component cost and sheer amount of features. But whenever it comes out, I'm sure we agree it'll be paving the next decade of iPhone aesthetics. Very exciting!

 

[2010mini]

Primesense technology is capable of so much more. Hope Apple does not stunt its potential.

 

[newyorksole]

I really hope you're right. My head tells me that it will be the iPhone 7S this year and the glorious redesign will take place next year.

My heart tells me that they'll pull the pipeline back a year and release it in tandem with the iPhone 7S at a higher price, due to the high component cost and sheer amount of features. But whenever it comes out, I'm sure we agree it'll be paving the next decade of iPhone aesthetics. Very exciting!

Yeah it is very exciting. I'm very curious to see what they do. iPhone 7S/7SP/Pro? Or will they just call it "iPhone".

Something tells me they'll "go back to basics" and just call it iPhone, but then again I think it's good for it to have some type of identifying name. It is going to be a great event.

 

[jonnysods]

As @djcerla stipulated in one thread, unlocking with face recognition would likely be a backup/secondary solution for Touch ID. So you can use either or.

Hope so! It's those subtle unlocks that I use sometimes in meetings to check stuff that I can't lose out on.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

As @djcerla stipulated in one thread, unlocking with face recognition would likely be a backup/secondary solution for Touch ID. So you can use either or.

I really do hope they make facial recognition as an authentication mechanism optional via configuration. I don't want someone being able to unlock my phone by forcing it in front of my face.

 

[keysofanxiety]

I really do hope they make facial recognition as an authentication mechanism optional via configuration. I don't want someone being able to unlock my phone by forcing it in front of my face.

I imagine it would be optional, just as Touch ID currently is.

 

[44267547]

Selling my stock just befor iPhone 8, not because it will be poor, in fact I expect it to be excellent... still, it won't have the usb-c, full glass, oled with intergrated fingerprint scanner, with revolutionary front camera, full wireless charging, multi day battamerylife, quick charge, liquid metal and touch bar. These high expectations are going to make a great phone seem ordinary and people need to understand that.

How would you have any definitive answers as to what the iPhone 8 won't have? If your theory is it won't have those listed features in your post, then what will it have? Unless you're a direct insider for Apple, your predictions are not worth anymore than what Macrumors posts for articles on a daily basis.

 

[Tycho24]

I really do hope they make facial recognition as an authentication mechanism optional via configuration. I don't want someone being able to unlock my phone by forcing it in front of my face.

Lol, could this person forcing your iPhone out of your hands & forcing it in front of your face not instead force you to put your finger on the TouchID, or force you to type in your passcode??

I don't understand the desire to come up with gloomy ridiculously improbable scenarios.

Remember all the silly claims that people would be getting their thumbs chopped off by burglars, after the 5S came out??
Feel free to post any police reports you can find of that happening.

 

[hortod1]

I don't think it's necessarily improbable. As I understand it now, the police cannot force you unlock a passcoded phone without a warrant, but the same doesn't hold true for TouchID. How would the whole search-and-seizure thing work with facial recognition?

I could be way off on my understanding of these laws... any lawyers in the group?

Lol, could this person forcing your iPhone out of your hands & forcing it in front of your face not instead force you to put your finger on the TouchID, or force you to type in your passcode??

I don't understand the desire to come up with gloomy ridiculously improbable scenarios.

Remember all the silly claims that people would be getting their thumbs chopped off by burglars, after the 5S came out??
Feel free to post any police reports you can find of that happening.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Lol, could this person forcing your iPhone out of your hands & forcing it in front of your face not instead force you to put your finger on the TouchID, or force you to type in your passcode??

I don't understand the desire to come up with gloomy ridiculously improbable scenarios.

Remember all the silly claims that people would be getting their thumbs chopped off by burglars, after the 5S came out??
Feel free to post any police reports you can find of that happening.

First of all I'll admit I'm on the somewhat extreme end of advocating for privacy. That said though, we've seen recent US court rulings where it is deemed legal to force a person to place their finger on an ID mechanism to unlock devices but the courts have also refused to compel the release of a passcode. With fingers you have a shot of using a nonstandard digit and having Touch ID reject further attempts before the finger is found. Facial recognition you only have one. Whether paranoia or not, some people have concerns about being compelled to open a device by the government. Think of a situation like Glenn Greenwald, in that particular case I wouldn't have used Touch ID at all but the point being that "things you are" are not protected by the fifth amendment. Elsewhere in the world political dissidents don't have our legal protections but even so it you at least have a chance to resist giving up a passcode versus having someone force your face in front of your phone.

In your example of theft, sure a theif could order me at gunpoint or knifepoint to enter my passcode just as easily as hold the phone up to my face.

 

[Tycho24]

First of all I'll admit I'm on the somewhat extreme end of advocating for privacy. That said though, we've seen recent US court rulings where it is deemed legal to force a person to place their finger on an ID mechanism to unlock devices but the courts have also refused to compel the release of a passcode. With fingers you have a shot of using a nonstandard digit and having Touch ID reject further attempts before the finger is found. Facial recognition you only have one. Whether paranoia or not, some people have concerns about being compelled to open a device by the government. Think of a situation like Glenn Greenwald, in that particular case I wouldn't have used Touch ID at all but the point being that "things you are" are not protected by the fifth amendment. Elsewhere in the world political dissidents don't have our legal protections but even so it you at least have a chance to resist giving up a passcode versus having someone force your face in front of your phone.

In your example of theft, sure a theif could order me at gunpoint or knifepoint to enter my passcode just as easily as hold the phone up to my face.

This is all so silly & esoteric!!
Exactly how fast do YOU believe that the wheels of justice turn??
Lol, the TouchID now requires you to to enter passcode if you haven't unlocked it in 48hours.
Sooooo, by the time the coppers get a go-ahead to have you unlock it via TouchID, that ship has sailed!
Or are you seriously under the impression that you can get pulled over & a police officer can IMMEDIATELY, on the spot force you to unlock your iPhone??

What world do you people live in?
*smh*

 

[kyykesko]

I think you may be underestimating how big of a release this will be.

iPhone is Apple's cash cow. This is the 10 year anniversary and also will probably be the first event at Steve Jobs Theater.

It may not have all of THOSE features you listed, but whatever they release is going to be damn good. They wouldn't waste this release with mediocre features.

I expect them to release something 'courageous' again and then have a battery which enables you to use those new wonderful features for up to 4 hours at a time after which you can (possibly wirelessly, ooh!) recharge your phone. Give me something with *MUCH* better battery life and I may be interested. Couldn't care less about cameras. USB-C would be nice considering the uselessness of ilghtning in today's world. All-glass and whatever else - couldn't care less. New look - ok, scratch the previous because I care even less about this. It's a tool. It needs to WORK. Make a separate Toy Edition for those who just want to show off their phone.
[doublepost=1489051233][/doublepost]

I don't think it's necessarily improbable. As I understand it now, the police cannot force you unlock a passcoded phone without a warrant, but the same doesn't hold true for TouchID. How would the whole search-and-seizure thing work with facial recognition?

I could be way off on my understanding of these laws... any lawyers in the group?

Passcode - police would beat you up you until you give up your code?

TouchID - they force your hand on the sensor.

Facial recognition - "They show you the device, 'Is this your phone? Oops, it unlocked, I guess it's ok if I see what's in there....' ...."

See the problem? Well, maybe not considering what I see in the news about the police in the U.S... :/

 

[hortod1]

I expect them to release something 'courageous' again and then have a battery which enables you to use those new wonderful features for up to 4 hours at a time after which you can (possibly wirelessly, ooh!) recharge your phone. Give me something with *MUCH* better battery life and I may be interested. Couldn't care less about cameras. USB-C would be nice considering the uselessness of ilghtning in today's world. All-glass and whatever else - couldn't care less. New look - ok, scratch the previous because I care even less about this. It's a tool. It needs to WORK. Make a separate Toy Edition for those who just want to show off their phone.
[doublepost=1489051233][/doublepost]

Passcode - police would beat you up you until you give up your code?

TouchID - they force your hand on the sensor.

Facial recognition - "They show you the device, 'Is this your phone? Oops, it unlocked, I guess it's ok if I see what's in there....' ...."

See the problem? Well, maybe not considering what I see in the news about the police in the U.S... :/

Yes, I absolutely see the problem - that's why I brought it up. And the example you give is exactly what I'm talking about, you just wrote it better...
[doublepost=1489057723][/doublepost]

This is all so silly & esoteric!!
Exactly how fast do YOU believe that the wheels of justice turn??
Lol, the TouchID now requires you to to enter passcode if you haven't unlocked it in 48hours.
Sooooo, by the time the coppers get a go-ahead to have you unlock it via TouchID, that ship has sailed!
Or are you seriously under the impression that you can get pulled over & a police officer can IMMEDIATELY, on the spot force you to unlock your iPhone??

What world do you people live in?
*smh*

The wheels of justice turn as fast as they need to. Call the police for a stolen bicycle and you probably won't even get an officer to come to your house. Call the police because there's a bank robbery going on and there'll be a full swat team out front in minutes.

The world I live in the police can lie, intimidate, harass, use excessive force, injur, and even kill.

The world I live in, probable-cause is highly subjective.

The world I live in cops know full well they can get likely get out any charges against them.

The world I live in, many times the only reason the cops get nailed is because bystanders record the incident on their phones.

And I fear a world where cops sieze phones right then and there, are able to unlock them with minimal effort and delete any evidence.

The question is, what world do YOU live in? I can only assume gated community and private schools...

 

[thisisnotmyname]

This is all so silly & esoteric!!
Exactly how fast do YOU believe that the wheels of justice turn??
Lol, the TouchID now requires you to to enter passcode if you haven't unlocked it in 48hours.
Sooooo, by the time the coppers get a go-ahead to have you unlock it via TouchID, that ship has sailed!
Or are you seriously under the impression that you can get pulled over & a police officer can IMMEDIATELY, on the spot force you to unlock your iPhone??

What world do you people live in?
*smh*

Not silly at all, search warrants are being issued with provisions to apply fingers to electronic devices found at the scene. It's been happening for some time now.