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University of Cambridge

Face recognition using Hidden Markov Models

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This dissertation introduces work on face recognition using a novel technique based on Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). Through the integration of a priori structural knowledge with statistical information, HMMs can be used successfully to encode face features. The results reported are obtained using a database of images of 40 subjects, with 5 training images and 5 test images for each. It is shown how standard one-dimensional HMMs in the shape of top-bottom models can be parameterised, yielding successful recognition rates of up to around 85%. The insights gained from top-bottom models are extended to pseudo two-dimensional HMMs, which offer a better and more flexible model, that describes some of the twodimensional dependencies missed by the standard one-dimensional model. It is shown how pseudo two-dimensional HMMs can be implemented, yielding successful recognition rates of up to around 95%. The performance of the HMMs is compared with the Eigenface approach and various domain and resolution experiments are also carried out. Finally, the performance of the HMM is evaluated in a fully automated system, where database images are cropped automatically.

Degree

thesis:*
Name dc:type.qualificationname
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
Grantor dc:publisher.institution
University of Cambridge
Year dc:date.issued
1995

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Samaria, Ferdinando Silvestro

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • This work was supported by a Trinity College Internal Graduate Studentship and an Olivetti Research Ltd, CASE award.
Language dc:language
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
DOI dc:identifier.doi
https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.14051
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/244871

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Cambridge University
Base URL
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Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
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citation

Samaria, Ferdinando Silvestro. Face recognition using Hidden Markov Models. Doctoral thesis, University of Cambridge, 1995. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.14051