Privacy Visor: Method for Preventing Face Image Detection by Using Differences in Human and Device Sensitivity

Takayuki Yamada (1) , Seiichi Gohshi (2) , Isao Echizen (1)

1 NII - National Institute of Informatics
2 Kogakuin University [Tokyo]

A method is proposed for preventing unauthorized face image revelation through unintentional capture of facial images. Methods such as covering the face and painting particular patterns on the face effectively prevent detection of facial images but hinder face-to-face communication. The proposed method overcomes this problem through the use of a device worn on the face that transmits near-infrared signals that are picked up by camera image sensors, which makes faces in captured images undetectable. The device is similar in appearance to a pair of eyeglasses, and the signals cannot be seen by the human eye, so face-to-face communication is not hindered. Testing of a prototype ”privacy visor” showed that captured facial images are sufficiently corrupted to prevent unauthorized face image revelation by face detection.

Mots clés: Privacy; Unauthorized face image revelation; Face detection; Haar-like feature; Near-infrared LED

Domaines: Informatique [cs]; Réseaux et télécommunications [cs.NI]

Takayuki Yamada, Seiichi Gohshi, Isao Echizen. Privacy Visor: Method for Preventing Face Image Detection by Using Differences in Human and Device Sensitivity. 14th International Conference on Communications and Multimedia Security (CMS), Sep 2013, Magdeburg,, Germany. pp.152-161, ⟨10.1007/978-3-642-40779-6_13⟩. ⟨hal-01492817⟩