A hierarchical neural network for human face detection

Abstract

This paper summarizes a research effort in human face detection. A system to locate human faces in images, especially when used as a front-end for a human face identification system, could have many applications in the law enforcement and security professions. The approach presented here is a hybrid system using an edge-enhancing preprocessor and four back-propagation neural networks arranged in a hierarchical structure. The method proposed successfully detected faces wearing glasses and all faces in images which contained multiple faces. The results obtained are reported along with a discussion for improving the system.