The identification of a person by their facial image can be done in a number of different ways such as by capturing an image of the face in the visible spectrum using an inexpensive camera or by using the infrared patterns of facial heat emission.

Facial recognition typically model key features from the central portion of a facial image. Using a wide assortment of cameras, the visible light systems extract features from the captured image(s) that do not change over time while avoiding superficial features such as facial expressions or hair.

Some of the challenges of facial recognition in the visual spectrum include reducing the impact of variable lighting and detecting a mask or photograph. Some facial recognition systems may require a stationary or posed user in order to capture the image, though many systems use a real-time process to detect a person's head and locate the face automatically.

Face recognition systems enrol each individual based on several photographs of the face from different angles. The template is created from measurements between key facial features that do not change significantly over time:

• Distance between the upper sections of eye sockets and sides of mouth
• Distance between eyes
• The length of the nose
• The angle of the chin

Face recognition is a fairly young technology compared with other biometrics. Major benefits of facial recognition are that it is non-intrusive, hands-free and accepted by most users. It is particularly suitable where hygiene is important, or where religious and cultural traditions making touching offensive.

• Uniclox Face Recognition Terminals