Facial recognition authentication system including path parameters

A method for determining when a user, based on images of the user's face, does not exhibit three-dimensionality, the method comprising:

• capturing at least one first image of the user's face taken with a camera located at a first distance from the user's face, the camera associated with a computing device;
• processing the at least one first image or a portion thereof to create first data;
• moving the camera to a second distance from the user's face, where the second distance is different from the first distance;
• capturing, at the second distance, at least one second image of the user's face taken with the camera associated with the computing device;
• processing the at least one second image or a portion thereof to create second data;
• examining the first data and the second data to determine whether differences between the first data and the second data indicate an expected type of distorting change in at least one image that is consistent with a real person being imaged and which is indicative of three-dimensionality;
• determining the user's face is not three-dimensional when the first data and the second data do not have expected differences indicating the user exhibits three-dimensionality.

A method, performed using a computing device, for providing authentication of a person during an authentication session, the method comprising:

• capturing a first image of a head of the person with a camera at a first distance from the person, the camera associated with the computing device;
• changing a distance between the person and the camera to a second distance, which is different from the first distance;
• capturing a second image of the head of the person with the camera at the second distance from the person;
• comparing one or more aspects of the head from the first image or first biometric data derived from the first image to one or more aspects of the head from the second image or second biometric data derived from the second image to determine whether expected differences are not present, wherein the expected differences:
• would be present when the first image and second images of the head of the person being captured at different distances has three-dimensional characteristics but not if the head did not have three-dimensional characteristics;
• and
• the expected differences result from differences in relative dimensions of a person's face appearing different when capturing images is done close to the person's face and far from the persons face;
• and
• if the expected differences are not present, denying authentication of the person and providing notice thereof to one or more of the person, a third party, or a software application, wherein the authentication is authentication of liveness, three-dimensionality, or both.

A method for determining whether a user exhibits three-dimensionality, the method comprising:

• capturing at least one first image of a user's face taken with a camera located a first distance from the user, the camera associated with a computing device;
• processing the at least one first image or a portion thereof to create first data, the first data derived from the user's face;
• intentionally moving the camera from the first location to a second location, the second location being a second distance from the user, or the user moving to change a distance between the user and the camera from the first distance to the second distance;
• capturing at least one second image of the user's face taken with the camera located a second distance from the user, the second distance being different than the first distance;
• processing the at least one second image or a portion thereof to create second data, the second data derived from the user's face;
• analyzing the first data to determine at least if the first data exhibits first characteristics that indicate the first data was derived from an image of the user captured at the first distance;
• analyzing the second data to determine at least if the second data exhibits second characteristics that indicate the second data was derived from an image the user captured at the second distance, wherein the first characteristics or the second characteristics include at least distortion within the at least one first image or the at least one second image;
• determining the user does not exhibit the expected degree of three-dimensionality when either or both of the following occur:
• the step of analyzing the first data determines the first data does not exhibit first characteristics that indicate the first data was derived from an image of the user captured at the first distance;
• or
• the step of analyzing the second data determines the second data does not exhibit second characteristics that indicate the second data was derived from an image of the user captured at the second distance.