Conduent Incorporated (NYSE: CNDT) has been awarded a U.S. patent for technology that automatically recognizes facial expressions using images from low resolution cameras. Since becoming an independent public company on December 31, 2016, the company has been awarded more than 20 patents, with several related to computer vision technology.

Automatic facial expression recognition technology builds on Conduent’s expertise in computer vision techniques and enables the company to pursue commercial opportunities in multiple industries.

How It Works:

The technology locates faces within a video stream and automatically identifies a person’s eyes to better understand facial expressions. Applying machine learning and pattern recognition techniques to that region of the image allows the facial expression to be classified from ubiquitous low-resolution surveillance grade video.

“Our first several patents as an independent company are a milestone to celebrate,” said Carol Kline, Conduent Chief Information Officer. “Our patent for facial expression recognition represents one of many transformative projects we have underway this year to bring new solutions to our clients that advance the lives of citizens, patients and employees via work developed at Conduent.”

Benefits:

The technology delivers a range of benefits from helping retailers track customer shopping preferences while browsing merchandise, gauging commuter satisfaction on public transit, and improving accuracy of screenings in border crossing control.

• In Retail: Knowing shopper satisfaction at a more granular level allows the retailer to optimize the physical shopping experience including layout, merchandise and the checkout process. This technology, which can also read customer satisfaction during customer-employee interactions, creates an advantage for omni-channel retailers looking to enhance information gathered from their brick & mortar stores.
• In Transportation: Facial recognition can be similarly used to gauge rider satisfaction on public transit or customer satisfaction in customer-agent interactions. Through this technology, public transit agencies gain better insights to provide safer, cleaner and more courteous public transportation, further motivating commuters to use these services, including end-to-end multi-modal travel.
• In Border Crossing Control: The technology can cross-reference expressions of any persons identified by law enforcement with FBI and Homeland Security databases that scan across millions of photos in state and federal databases, as well as facial images collected from non-citizens as they enter the United States. This advancement could result in more screening for high risk individuals and potentially less for lower risk individuals, making border security more accurate, effective and efficient.

The patent, along with the others awarded this year, adds to Conduent’s portfolio of more than 300 U.S. Patents and approximately 400 pending U.S. Patent Applications.