The computational face for facial emotion analysis: Computer based emotion analysis from the face

Abstract

Facial expressions are considered to be the most revealing way of understanding the human psychological state during face-to-face communication. It is believed that a more natural interaction between humans and machines can be undertaken through the detailed understanding of the different facial expressions which imitate the manner by which humans communicate with each other. In this research, we study the different aspects of facial emotion detection, analysis and investigate possible hidden identity clues within the facial expressions. We study a deeper aspect of facial expressions whereby we try to identify gender and human identity - which can be considered as a form of emotional biometric - using only the dynamic characteristics of the smile expressions. Further, we present a statistical model for analysing the relationship between facial features and Duchenne (real) and non-Duchenne (posed) smiles. Thus, we identify that the expressions in the eyes contain discriminating features between Duchenne and non-Duchenne smiles. Our results indicate that facial expressions can be identified through facial movement analysis models where we get an accuracy rate of 86% for classifying the six universal facial expressions and 94% for classifying the common 18 facial action units. Further, we successfully identify the gender using only the dynamic characteristics of the smile expression whereby we obtain an 86% classification rate. Likewise, we present a framework to study the possibility of using the smile as a biometric whereby we show that the human smile is unique and stable.