3D face retrieval using integral geometric shape information

Face recognition (identification) has been an active research area in the last years, with a major emphasis targeting detection and recognition of faces in still images and videos. More recently, the increasing availability of three-dimensional (3D) data, has paved the way to the use of 3D face models to improve the effectiveness of face recognition systems. In fact, solutions based on 3D face models feature less sensitivity-if not invariance-to lighting conditions and pose. This is particularly relevant in real contexts of use, where face images are usually captured in non-controlled environments, without any particular cooperation by human subjects.