ASSESSMENT OF FACIAL FEATURES WITH A RANGE CAMERA

We describe a new method for the quantitative analysis of facial featu res using a range camera with a three-dimensional measuring program. T he range camera consists of a video camera, a light projector, and a c omputer. The video camera captures a number of images of different lig ht patterns projected on to the face. From these, a ''range image'' is computed. One fully illuminated intensity image of the face is also t aken. By defining anatomical landmarks manually on the intensity image , three-dimensional measurements are automatically obtained from corre sponding positions in the range image. The method is highly accurate a nd precise, and is a simple and reliable way of assessing facial featu res. We recommend that the system be adapted in clinical practice-for example, in diagnosing syndromes and planning plastic and reconstructi ve surgery.