Estimation of eye, eyebrow and nose features in videophone sequences

Automatic estimation of facial features is necessary for model–based coding of videophone sequences at very low bit rates. In this contribution, algorithms for the estimation of eye, eyebrow and nose features are presented. For estimation of eye features, deformable template matching with a simplified cost function is used. For the estimation of eyebrow features, a segmentation algorithm is proposed. Eyebrows covered by hair are taken into account by this algorithm. As nose features, the nostrils as well as the sides of the nose are estimated. Applied to the test sequences Akiyo and Miss America (CIF,10 Hz), the facial features are estimated with subjectively high accuracy.