A method for detecting transitions of emotional states using a thermal facial image based on a synthesis of facial expressions

A method using a synthesis of facial expressions for the creation of thermal facial images has been proposed for detecting the transition of emotional states. The thermal facial changes are caused by facial muscle movement, the transition of emotional states, and physiological change. Facial muscle movement may be intentional. For this reason, in order to eliminate the influence of facial muscle movement on thermal distribution in the face, a test face and a neutral-expression face in a computer are re-formed to front-view neutral-expression faces with the use of a wire-frame model and texture mapping. Then, the thermal difference between these two re-formed faces is used for analyzing the facial temperature change to detect transitions of emotional stares. By using the proposed method, the temperature change caused by pleasure or tiredness was detected in the regions of the nose, cheek, and surrounding the mouth. Based on the proposed method, it may be possible to detect facial temperature change caused by transitions of emotional states and/or physiological changes in our daily lives. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.