US-20260127913-A1 - FACIAL RECOGNITION BY AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS

US20260127913A1US 20260127913 A1US20260127913 A1US 20260127913A1US-20260127913-A1

Abstract

An electronic device, a method and a computer program product for controlling image capturing via a first camera to capture images for use in a facial recognition process. The method includes capturing, via a first camera, a first image. The method includes determining if the first image contains a face. In response to determining the first image contains the face, the method includes identifying a skin tone frequency associated with the face. The method includes determining if the skin tone frequency is less than a skin tone frequency threshold. In response to determining the skin tone frequency is less than the skin tone frequency threshold, the method includes decreasing a first shutter speed of the first camera to a second shutter speed. The method includes capturing a second image, via the first camera using the second shutter speed. The method includes performing facial recognition based authentication using the second image.

Inventors

Ranjeet Gupta
Rahul Bharat Desai

Assignees

MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241106

Claims (20)

1 . An electronic device comprising: a first camera; a memory having stored thereon a camera control module for controlling image capturing via the first camera; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to each of the first camera and the memory, and which executes program code of the camera control module, the at least one processor configured to cause the electronic device to: capture, via the first camera, a first image; determine if the first image contains a face; in response to determining the first image contains the face, identify a skin tone frequency associated with the face based on the first image; determine if the skin tone frequency is less than a skin tone frequency threshold; in response to determining the skin tone frequency is less than the skin tone frequency threshold, decrease a first shutter speed of the first camera to a second shutter speed; and capture a second image, via the first camera using the second shutter speed.
2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein in response to determining the skin tone frequency is not less than the skin tone frequency threshold, identify the first image to be used in a facial recognition processes to authenticate the identity of a first user.
3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the electronic device to: trigger a facial recognition process to authenticate the identity of a first user, the facial recognition process at least partially based on the second image captured using the second shutter speed.
4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein capturing the first image is triggered by initiation of a facial recognition process to authenticate the identity of a first user.
5 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one light sensor that is communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the electronic device to: receive a first light intensity value of a first region of interest from the at least one light sensor; retrieve a light intensity threshold; determine if the first light intensity value is less than the light intensity threshold; in response to determining the first light intensity value is less than the light intensity threshold, identify the region of interest as being in a low light intensity condition; and in response to identifying the region of interest as being in a low light intensity condition, trigger a decrease in shutter speed of the first camera during a subsequent facial recognition process.
6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the electronic device to: trigger a facial enrollment process to establish a facial identification template, the facial identification template at least partially based on the second image captured using the second shutter speed.
7 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the memory has stored thereon a security module for authenticating the identity of a user of the electronic device, and the at least one processor is configured to cause the electronic device to: retrieve a reference facial image; determine if the second image substantially matches the reference facial image; and in response to the second image substantially matching the reference facial image, unlocking the electronic device.
8 . A method comprising: capturing, via a first camera, a first image; determining, via at least one processor of an electronic device, if the first image contains a face; in response to determining the first image contains the face, identifying a skin tone frequency associated with the face based on the first image; determining if the skin tone frequency is less than a skin tone frequency threshold; in response to determining the skin tone frequency is less than the skin tone frequency threshold, decreasing a first shutter speed of the first camera to a second shutter speed; and capturing a second image, via the first camera using the second shutter speed.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: in response to determining the skin tone frequency is not less than the skin tone frequency threshold, identifying the first image to be used in a facial recognition processes to authenticate the identity of a first user.
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: triggering a facial recognition process to authenticate the identity of a first user, the facial recognition process at least partially based on the second image captured using the second shutter speed.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein capturing the first image is triggered by initiation of a facial recognition process to authenticate the identity of a first user.
12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: receiving a first light intensity value of a first region of interest from at least one light sensor; retrieving a light intensity threshold; determining if the first light intensity value is less than the light intensity threshold; in response to determining the first light intensity value is less than the light intensity threshold, identifying the region of interest as being in a low light intensity condition; and in response to identifying the region of interest as being in a low light intensity condition, triggering a decrease in shutter speed of the first camera during a subsequent facial recognition process.
13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: triggering a facial enrollment process to establish a facial identification template, the facial identification template at least partially based on the second image captured using the second shutter speed.
14 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: retrieving a reference facial image; determining if the second image substantially matches the reference facial image; and in response to the second image substantially matching the reference facial image, unlocking the electronic device.
15 . A computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage device having stored thereon program code which, when executed by at least one processor of an electronic device having a first camera, configures the electronic device to complete the functionality of: capturing, via the first camera, a first image; determining if the first image contains a face; in response to determining the first image contains the face, identifying a skin tone frequency associated with the face based on the first image; determining if the skin tone frequency is less than a skin tone frequency threshold; in response to determining the skin tone frequency is less than the skin tone frequency threshold, decreasing a first shutter speed of the first camera to a second shutter speed; and capturing a second image, via the first camera using the second shutter speed.
16 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the program code further configures the electronic device to complete the functionality of: in response to determining the skin tone frequency is not less than the skin tone frequency threshold, identifying the first image to be used in a facial recognition processes to authenticate the identity of a first user.
17 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the program code further configures the electronic device to complete the functionality of: triggering a facial recognition process to authenticate the identity of a first user, the facial recognition process at least partially based on the second image captured using the second shutter speed.
18 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein capturing the first image is triggered by initiation of a facial recognition process to authenticate the identity of a first user.
19 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the program code further configures the electronic device to complete the functionality of: receiving a first light intensity value of a first region of interest from at least one light sensor; retrieving a light intensity threshold; determining if the first light intensity value is less than the light intensity threshold; in response to determining the first light intensity value is less than the light intensity threshold, identifying the region of interest as being in a low light intensity condition; and in response to identifying the region of interest as being in a low light intensity condition, triggering a decrease in shutter speed of the first camera during a subsequent facial recognition process.
20 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the program code further configures the electronic device to complete the functionality of: triggering a facial enrollment process to establish a facial identification template, the facial identification template at least partially based on the second image captured using the second shutter speed.

Description

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to electronic devices and in particular to facial recognition performed by an electronic device. 2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, are widely used for video, voice, and text communication and for data transmission. Facial recognition is a technology capable of matching a human face from a captured image against a known image or a database of faces. Facial recognition is used to authenticate and/or validate the identity of a user. Facial recognition can be used by an authenticated user to unlock an electronic device from a locked state. Unfortunately, facial recognition can have difficulty functioning in low light/dark conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, in which: FIG. 1A presents a functional block diagram of example components of an electronic device in a communication environment and having hardware and software components that enable the features of the present disclosure to be advantageously implemented, according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 1B is an additional block diagram representation of the electronic device of FIG. 1A presenting additional components, including components for wireless communications with other devices within a connected device ecosystem, according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example contents of the memory subsystem of the example electronic device of FIG. 1A configured to complete the various processes described herein, according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 3 is an example illustration of a user holding the electronic device of FIG. 1 (1A-1B) such that the user's face is detectable within a field of view of the camera of the electronic device, according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 4A is an example illustration of a display of an electronic device presenting a captured facial image of a user having a dark skin tone in a low light condition., according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 4B is an example illustration of a display of an electronic device presenting a captured facial image of a user having a dark skin tone in a low light condition after a shutter speed of the camera has been decreased, according to one or more embodiments; FIGS. 5A-5B depict a flowchart of a method by which an electronic device modifies a shutter speed of a camera based on a detected skin tone frequency of the face of a user, according to one or more embodiments; and FIGS. 6A-6B depict a flowchart of a method by which an electronic device modifies a shutter speed of a camera based on a measured light intensity value of a region of interest, according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, the illustrative embodiments provide an electronic device, a method, and a computer program product for controlling image capturing via a first camera to capture images for use in a facial recognition process. Specifically, the disclosure provides techniques for controlling image capture of facial images, based on skin tone frequency, for use in a facial recognition process. Completing facial recognition by an electronic device can have difficulty functioning in low light/dark conditions. In a low light/dark environment, facial recognition does not function properly. An electronic device can have difficulty imaging a face in low light conditions and recognizing an individual such as an authorized user of the electronic device. Additionally, facial recognition can often have difficulty functioning with individuals with dark skin tones. Thus, individuals with dark skin tones can experience a higher level of false rejections during a facial recognition process. The embodiments disclosed herein addresses and overcome the aforementioned issues/problems/limitations by controlling image capturing to capture images for use in a facial recognition process. The embodiments disclosed herein enable an electronic device to identify a skin tone frequency of a facial image. The embodiments then enable the electronic device to determine when a skin tone frequency of the facial image is inadequate to accurately complete a facial recognition process and to decrease a shutter speed of a camera to capture a subsequent facial image with sufficient brightness to accurately complete the facial recognition process. In a first embodiment, an electronic device includes a first camera and a memory having stored thereon a ca