Facial recognition seems to be the next big thing in the future of technology. For instance, Minnesota-based company, Identix, created their own facial recognition technology. Identix created software called, Facelt, which has the capability to recognize a face and measure its various features.

Each person’s face is different, which allows Facelt to distinguish differences by measuring individual characteristics, such as the distance between eyes, width of nose, the shape of cheekbones, etc. All of this information creates a numerical code called a faceprint.

Early forms of facial recognition technology continually ran into problems using 2D technology. Due to the fact that even the smallest change in light in the environment could reduce the overall effectiveness of the technology, the rate of failure increased.

Despite the growing problem of the inaccuracy of identifying people, a solution was quickly discovered in 3D software.

This new type of technology captures a real-time 3D image of the surface of a person’s face. Lighting does not affect this technology; in fact, it can be used in darkness and has the ability to identify a subject at different angles, with the probability of recognizing up to 90 degrees, which is a face in profile.

The 3D software goes through a series of steps in order to accurately identify a person. The first step is detection, which acquires an image by digitally scanning a live picture of a subject. Once this has been accomplished, the technology determines the head’s position, size and pose. The system then measures the curves of the face and creates a template. From there, a unique code is created and matched in a 3D database. After all of this information is collected, an image is matched to only one image in the database.

Although this type of technology is still being used by law enforcement officials and for surveillance purposes, it has recently been adapted for advertising purposes.

Companies like Redpepper are beginning to use facial recognition to boost their business. This may be the new route that advertisers take to target consumers. At its core, facial recognition technology is a computer application that automatically identifies or verifies a person from a digital image or video frame from a video source.

Although facial recognition technology is an essential tool in identifying people, it is now being beta tested by advertising companies such as Redpepper to target consumers and create customized deals through the structure of their face.

A team of developers for the company are currently working on creating a facial recognition technology for businesses to automatically send deals to the customers that walk into their establishments.

In order for the person to get the deals, their face will be scanned, using a Facedeals camera box that will be located outside of the business. In addition, the customer must authorize the Facedeals app on their Facebook account. Facedeals scans your history of Facebook likes and, with that information, customizes deals based on those likes.

Just like most inventions, as technology continues to evolve, solutions for longstanding problems are quickly coming to the surface through innovation and creativity; and consumers continue to reap the benefits. This holds true for facial recognition technology, as it soon may be commonly used for advertisements.

Copyright Davison 2013

Sources:

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/facial-recognition.htm

http://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/facedeals-checks-you-into-places-with-facial-recognition/

Pictures:

http://gawker.com/retailers-are-spotting-celebrities-with-facial-recognit-859199676

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/facial-recognition.htm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2187801/Were-watching-The-camera-recognise-Facebook-picture-time-walk-shop.html

The post What’s Next for Facial Recognition Technology? appeared first on Davison.

Late last year, we burst onto the social media scene with the launch of our Facebook and Twitter pages.  This year, we’re expanding our social media presence from “likes” and “tweets” to include ”pins” and “circles!” We’re excited to announce the recent launch of Davison Pinterest and Google+ pages!

And, we’ve got to say, if you haven’t caught on to the Pinterest craze just yet, you definitely will now!

The online pinboard allows users to share images of all of the things they love!  Since everything we do (i.e. drawing, designing, engineering, creating prototypes) is so visual, Pinterest is the perfect place to show it all off!

Some of our current boards include “Inventionland,” where we can share more of our creative design facility, “Davison Products,” where we’re able to show Davison-designed products in action and on store shelves and “Inventors Never Quit,” where we’re able to keep inspiring and motivating prospective inventors to pursue their ideas!

Check out Davison’s new Pinterest page here!

Once you’ve pinned all of your favorite things (be careful, it’s addicting!), visit our new Google+ page!

As if Google didn’t already have everything you could think of and more, they now have social media, too!   And, Google+ allows you to do… well… everything!

We’re especially excited because Google+ will allow us to connect and chat with other inventors, plus share information and photos with friends and clients!

Plus, unlike any other social media forum, the ”Circle” function on Google+ allows you to group your followers together, so we can tailor what we share (i.e. our licensing partners may not have the same interests that our fellow inventors do)!

Check out the new Davison Google+ page here!

Whether you “like it,” “retweet it,” “pin it” or “+1 it,” make sure to share all the great news about Davison on social media!

The post Davison is Getting Pinteresting… Plus! appeared first on Davison.

At a time when many people may be feeling like abandoning their 2012 health resolutions, Davison is ready to help you keep them!

From now until January 31, 2012, we’re giving away three cooking products that were designed by Davison in collaboration with Jokari, Inc. to help with maintaining healthy portions!

That’s right, for a limited time, you have the chance to win:

The Healthy Steps Pasta Basket and the Healthy Steps Serving Set make it easy to control portions by helping you measure out healthy serving sizes!  With the Health Steps Produce Pro, you can ensure you’re eating enough fruits and vegetables!  Here’s to a healthy 2012! 

Sounds great, right?  And, this is one resolution that’s easy to keep!  All you have to do to enter is “Like” Davison on Facebook!

After January 31, 2012, we’ll randomly select one Facebook fan as our healthy winner!

And, as if you needed another reason to enter, here are some great recipes to jump-start your healthy habit with your new Davison-designed products.  Happy Cooking! 

Healthy Steps Garden Fresh Primavera

Healthy Steps Simple Salmon with Sauce

Healthy Steps Simple Chicken Salad

Healthy Steps Semi-Homemade Vegetable Soup

To be eligible, entries must be made between January 17, 2012 and January 31, 2012. The employees of Davison and members of their respective immediate families are not eligible to enter this giveaway. One winner will be chosen at random and will win all three products with a retail value of $50.  No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

Davison’s research, development and presentation services are provided for an upfront fee paid by the client and a contingent fee, or a percentage of royalties obtained by the client, if any. New product development is an uncertain endeavor and the use of Davison’s services typically does not result in a license agreement, sales on any market or profit to the inventor. Davison does not perform analysis of the feasibility, marketability, patentability or profitability of ideas submitted to it.

The post Davison is Ready to “Face” Your 2012 Health Goals! appeared first on Davison.