In ancient days, people thought that humans were able to see because our eyes projected light. While we know today that this is a gross misstatement of fact, we also know that our faces actually do produce infra red radiation, a long-wavelength kind of light invisible to the human eye. We can only detect infra red radiation as heat, but modern computers can use this light to produce an accurate image of a human face. This capability has revolutionised facial recognition technology, making it a useful tool for access control, time and attendance, and a number of other tasks.
As is the case with most technological advances in the computer age, facial recognition software started out bulky and complicated. Even today’s PC-based facial recognition tools are difficult to use and must be installed with the computer they rely on for life support. They do not work well for deployment to remote sites, and their infra red imaging can be influenced by light emanating from background sources. Although these problems came standard with all facial recognition tools for quite some time, recent developments in facial recognition technology have given businesses some better options.
Like many other digital tools in this day and age, infra red facial recognition has gone mobile. The portable, self-contained facial recognition terminal from AccuFACE leads the field currently, boasting not only mobile capabilities but also a proprietary optics system that minimises the influence of ambient light on an infra red image. This development in facial recognition tools is particularly promising to companies seeking to deploy this technology in mobile sites, but nearly all companies can benefit from a simpler, more secure facial recognition tool that does not require a PC to house it.
Facial recognition software has given us a marvellous tool for access control, time and attendance, and a number of other authentication tasks. Although this software once required a hosting PC and complicated installation, recent innovations have allowed facial recognition technology to go mobile. This is a promising development for security at mobile sites, and it may well encourage businesses to find new, innovative uses for infra red facial recognition technology.
ELF Productivity are happy to offer the AccuFACE facial recognition terminal, as well as a number of other productivity solutions. Please feel free to contact us for more information about the products and services we offer.