Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Masks used for fraudulent facial identification may soon become as passé as dummies in high-occupancy vehicle lanes, thanks to biometric technology developed by trinamiX GmbH, a BASF SE subsidiary and member of the Qualcomm Software Accelerator Program.
The company’s patented Beam Profile Analysis technology uses a combination of imaging, depth mapping and material detection to identify live skin patterns within a single camera. The solution differentiates between real faces and disguises used by fraudsters to gain unauthorized access to mobile apps, according to company representatives.
Dr. Ingmar Bruder, managing director and founder of trinamiX, said he looks forward to distributing the proprietary solution with Qualcomm Technologies, a leading wireless technology innovator. “Using our patented 3D imaging technology, the solution will enable mobile devices powered by the Hexagon Processor inside Snapdragon mobile platforms to achieve a previously unattainable goal – the ability to sense live skin as part of a secure facial recognition,” he stated.
Manvinder Singh, vice president, product management at Qualcomm Technologies Inc., added, “Qualcomm Technologies has always differentiated its product line through a unique blend of raw performance combined with industry-leading features demanded by the most innovative mobile device OEMs. We are very excited to be working with trinamiX and look forward to trinamiX getting this novel technology into the hands of customers at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Qualcomm and trinamiX representatives stated that Beam Profile Analysis will enhance existing facial recognition algorithms and prevent fraudsters from using fake IDs to unlock smartphones, tablets, laptops and secure access systems. The solution’s advanced “live skin” sensemaking, described as material classification, will block the most sophisticated masks, high-resolution prints and 3D renderings of facial features, the companies stated.
In a Feb. 18, 2020, New York Post article titled, “This company will print your face on a mask so you can unlock your phone,” BGR journalist Chris Smith pointed out that not all facial recognition masks are designed with malicious intent. For example, by FaceIDMasks.com developed an N95 lookalike face mask in response to the global coronavirus health epidemic.
“Face ID users might already know that Face ID can quickly adapt to headgear, including hats and eyewear,” Smith wrote. “The iPhone or iPad Pro will still unlock even if you’re wearing an unusual hat or have different glasses on. However, if a part of your face is covered by a somewhat large object, like a scarf or an N95 protection mask, it will fail to identify the 3D profile of your face and it won’t unlock your iPhone.”
FaceIDMasks.com masks are designed to work with facial recognition technology and comply with N95 disease protection guidelines, Smith noted. Users upload selfies on the company’s site and receive a customized N95 mask that matches the lower part of their faces. “Even if Face ID doesn’t work because of whatever mask you might be wearing, you can still use the backup PIN or password that locks the phone while you wear the mask,” he wrote.
While there may be legitimate reasons for spoofing human faces to unlock apps and phones, trinamiX Beam Profile Analysis can block these technologies when they fall into the wrong hands. The technology uses proprietary algorithms in Qualcomm’s HexagonTM Processor and Snapdragon mobile platforms to classify materials based on their physical properties, trinamiX representatives stated. These capabilities were developed by trinamiX research and development specialists.
Additional information about Beam Profile Analysis can be found at trinamix.de/3d-imaging/ .
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