Automatic feature point extraction on a human face in model-based image coding

Abstract

A preliminary version of a feature point extractor is proposed. In existing model-based coding systems, the feature points of the human face are extracted manually. To make model-based image coding more practical, a coder that can automatically extract the feature points must be developed. We define an ideal feature point extractor and discuss both the requirements and problems. A preliminary solution has been implemented. The proposed feature point extractor can automatically extract the feature points of eyebrows, eyes, the outline of a face, and some other useful information. It can be combined with model-based image coding and used in the video phone/conference systems.