Eye detection using color cues and projection functions

We propose a heuristic approach for detection of eyes in close-up images. The experimental images are stereotypical mug shot faces which can be expected in applications of face recognition systems, say in ATM vestibules. We prove the efficacy of our proposed method in detection of eyes, both in indoor and outdoor environments with considerable scale variations and an allowable rotation in the image plane. We employ a hierarchical search space reduction technique to localize possible eye areas in the image. The distinct human skin color and low intensity areas of the eye ball are the primary cues used to locate eye regions. Further on, eye validation is performed using the mean and variance projection functions.