Advanced facial recognition technology that automatically identifies the players is being used by official photographers Image Masters at the World Series of Poker tournament now getting into its stride at the Rio in Vegas.
The software, branded FaceIT will allow interested parties to quickly search and find photographs simply by entering the name of the subject.
To be included in the free of charge program, players need only register with Image Masters at their on-site stand – a process that takes very little time and involves having a head and shoulders photograph taken. This picture is then analysed and measured by computers to create a personal profile which is used to identify any subsequent photographs taken during the tournament.
Image Master pix will usually be available online the day after they were shot. Go to www.worldseriesofpoker.com, and click on the “Shop” link at the top of the page, and choose “Photo Store.” That immediately brings up the search screen. Type in a player’s first or last name (or both), and then choose the location in “Step 1.”
The computer software does the rest, finding all photographs taken that comply with the name ID and profile attached to it and presenting these as thumbnail samples for selection or closer examination by clicking through to a larger image….and the pricelist!
Over 500 players have already signed, among them many of the top professionals.
FaceIT is the brainchild of Image Masters photographer Greg Krantz, who researched existing software, but found nothing suitable for his requirements. Most software relies on 3-D full-facial image mapping or analysing video footage, which provides more facial angles. Nobody had a system for analysing a face from a single still photograph, and using it to identify other photographs of the same face.
Consequently, Image Masters developed the FaceIT software for themselves, patenting the technique and constantly improving and fine-tuning the product so that it was ready and well tested in time for the biggest poker event of them all – the World Series of Poker.