NEC's Video Face Recognition Technology Ranks First in NIST Testing

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NEC Corporation announced that NEC’s face recognition technology achieved the highest performance evaluation in the recent Face in Video Evaluation (FIVE, *1) testing performed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (*2). Results were released in NIST's Interagency Report 8173: Face In Video Evaluation (FIVE) Face Recognition of Non-Cooperative Subjects.

NEC's face recognition technology took first place for the fourth consecutive time following the 2009 Multiple Biometric Grand Challenge (MBGC 2009), 2010-2011 Multiple Biometrics Evaluation (MBE 2010-2011), and 2013 Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT 2013).

Video face recognition technology identifies the faces of moving subjects in real-time as they walk naturally without stopping in front of a camera. The benefits of high-speed video analysis enabled by this technology include the prevention of potential incidents through detection of suspicious individuals and recognition of individuals at the gateways of critical facilities.

Using video images from standard cameras for face recognition requires highly-advanced techniques when compared to still images. This is because images are greatly influenced by environmental conditions, such as camera location, image quality, lighting and subject size, in addition to the behavior of a subject, including walking speed, face direction and sight line.

To achieve reliable face recognition of a video image, NEC developed feature point extraction technology that enables enhanced face recognition to a level where an individual can be identified with high precision from within a group, even if their face is partially hidden, or the image is taken from different angles. NEC’s face recognition technology also uses deep learning technologies for face matching to increase accuracy to a level where an individual can be identified by a low resolution face image captured by a distant camera.

"It is a great honor that our face recognition technology received a first place evaluation for the fourth consecutive time from the NIST,” said Masakazu Yamashina, Senior Vice President, NEC Corporation. “We will further expand global business by offering innovative biometric solutions, such as the video face recognition system, throughout a wide range of fields, including security, transportation, finance and retail."


Evaluation examples from the NIST FIVE testing

· Entry-exit management at an airport passenger gate

Tests were conducted to recognize one individual at a time as they walk through an area without stopping or acknowledging the camera. NEC’s face recognition technology won first place with a matching accuracy of 99.2%. The error rate of 0.8% is less than one-fourth of the second place error rate.

· Detection of suspicious individuals at an indoor stadium

Tests were conducted with an individual situated far from the camera with their face direction changing frequently. NEC’s face recognition technology won first place with an error rate half that of the second place error rate.


For nearly 30 years, NEC has been developing face recognition technology by defining it as one of the key technologies to help achieve a safer and more secure society. The technology has now been implemented in more than 100 systems in 40 countries worldwide. NEC will continue to develop solutions that leverage face recognition technology as part of its portfolio of AI technologies “NEC the Wise” (*3), and to deliver the solutions for a wide range of fields, including social infrastructure and private sector facilities.


(*1) https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/face-video-evaluation-five

(*2) Results shown from the Face In Video Evaluation (FIVE), the Multiple Biometric Grand Challenge (MBGC), the Multiple Biometric Evaluation (MBE) and the Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT) do not constitute endorsement of any particular product by the U.S. Government.

(*3) http://www.nec.com/en/global/rd/crl/ai/index.html?

Papa J, formerly Papa Jack, Joins Energy FM This Monday - March 20, 2017

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After all the confusion, mixed with excitement, John Gemperle, widely known as Papa Jack, sat down alongside Energy FM executive Rebecca Ann Sy. The contract signing happened in PBA Cafe, Metrowalk on March 17, 2017. He will be on air from 9pm to 1am, starting Monday - March 20, 2017.

Papa J, John's new monicker, is welcomed by Energy FM Executives and DJs; Sheena and Lindsay. Attending the contract signing are a bunch of online media, bloggers, radio enthusiasts, fans, and supporters, who call themselves Team Eyebags.

John was a former DJ of Love Radio. It was such a surprise when he announced with sadness his final airing date last December 22 from his 12 year relationship with Manila Broadcasting Company. Afterwhich, he enjoyed 3 months of vacation, and just recently looked for a job.

As he defines it, he was not really looking for a job, he was looking for an employer. Luckily, Energy FM appeased his longings for a new home. He did not declare much of his new paycheck, but subsequently, he says it would suffice to take care of him, his daughter, and his 4 dogs.

That "Gay Moment" Backlash Over Live-Action "Beauty and the Beast" Movie

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"I was innocent and certain. Now I'm wiser but unsure." – Belle 

My wife and I went to the Beauty and The Beast live action movie premiere dressed as Belle and the Beast.

I'm still a bit pressed for the director obviously didn't watch the original Disney classic...or was it intentional for him to reboot some portions of this classic animated movie?

I just realized the kiddos watching this new Beauty and the Beast version will now know Emma Watson as Belle, and not Hermione Granger of Harry Potter anymore.

But the real story is that the rumors are true - a character is gay. Dozens of children left weeping. Several puked blood. Lol!

This "tale as old as time" movie which originated from an animated movie classic still opened in several Southeast Asian countries amid controversies surrounding a gay character in the film--the first in Disney's history.

The only right way to respond to this whole Beauty and The Beast situation in Malaysia is "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Is the movie ostracizing 95% of faith-driven consumers by pushing LGBT propaganda in a children's movie?

For those who don't know, Malaysia is not showing this movie because they think people will turn gay. Well, I watched Lion King, so now I'm a lion, of course. But why are people more offended by a gay person than a woman falling in love with a buffalo? On the other hand, does seeing inter-species couples on the screen make your kids fall in love, or fuck, with a buffalo?

Seriously, It was mentioned before that Disney refuses to edit the gay content from the movie. At that point, if Be Our Guest wasn't a full-on orgy, many girlish boys was gonna be pissed. Now that we've seen the movie, we are in between cringing and worrying about the future of children's stories. Disney just decided to pull it out, instead of cutting the 4.5 minute scene. Disney isn't budging, even if it means the movie will be banned in some places.

The Beauty and the Beast movie has openly gay characters. Is having a homosexual character bad for the movie? But would you really request it to be banned just because of 4 minutes of "gay" scenes? So undoubtedly people will want to turn gay because of Le Fou (which by the way means The Fool in French). Just like people have wanted to rape, kill, grow claws, shoot spider webs, tear down buildings from watching movies. Is your faith so weak, that for 4 minutes of gayness will make you gay as well?

Was the gay scene necessary? In Twitter, I needed more than 140 characters to vent my frustration on those of you blaming Malaysia over the whole Beauty and the Beast fiasco. The homophobes boycotting Disney's Beauty and the Beast won't be happy with the way Scar is portrayed in the Lion King live-action remake.

Is it our problem if we're too sensitive towards it? Do we stop being petty and let filmmakers make their films however they want? Just because a lot of people agree with something does not make it right. I think we can agree that a dancing scene between 2 guys is not gonna change anyone's life at all. Why make it a big deal? In this case, it's about differing views.

It may not change lives but sometimes mainstream values need to be considered. But should Malaysian mainstream values of censorship of free speech and of differing values and religious indoctrination be considered? Why is it a 'sensitive' and 'touchy' issue? What problems may rise from screening elements of that nature in public?

This is no Indie film where the production or director can be rudely experimental. Is the portrayal of LGBT activities in moviesagainst the LPF (Malaysia's film censorship board) guidelines.

Is it because LGBTs are generally still not the norm for our society? Do you think scenes with gay people should be "snipped" out of film? Many would beg to differ! It isn't a sensitivity issue.... It is homophobic. Homophobia is hatred towards LGBT oriented peeps.

I believe all the proposed revisions are understandable as some people just want to make the film grounded. But don't worry, everything else is still magical.

It was such a small scene, but are we forgetting that it's supposed to be a movie for kids. Yes, adults can watch it anytime, but do we really need to expose children to this at an early age? Well, there's already openly gay kid at the teleserye Ang Probinsiyano.

"Cheer up, child. It'll turn out all right in the end. You'll see." – Mrs.Potts