5 ms·

For those interested in the pulse rate extraction, there is actually a branch of biomedical engineering/computer science called "remote photoplethysmography" (r

For those interested in the pulse rate extraction, there is actually a branch of biomedical engineering/computer science called "remote photoplethysmography" (rPPG). I worked on it a bit at some point, it does work pretty well assuming you don't move that much and the light isn't too bad. As you can imagine, it's more difficult to estimate on non-white faces, particularly very dark skin tones. All the algorithms (at least until 2016) differ in the way of combining the RGB signals into a pulse signal by making different assumptions. If you are interested more, Philips in the Netherlands are particularly active in this research domain, one of the main application being non-contact pulse estimation in hospitals for example.

kingkawn 6y ago
I did not imagine it would be harder with dark skin tones, I assumed you all would actually try to make something applicable for everyone.
- carrolldunham 6y ago
  The poster said it needs good i.e. bright lighting to work. How is it contentious that it would be harder with skin that reflects less light?
- gnramires 6y ago
  What a toxic comment. He is simply referring to the technical difficulty associated with darker skin tones. Of course we should strive for making it applicable for everyone. Sometimes physiological variations get into play; sometimes this means a method isn't adequate, or you can use different methods for different persons.
- jimmydorry 6y ago
  From the commenting guideline: >Comments should get more thoughtful and substantive, not less, as a topic gets more divisive. >Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith. Please refrain from commenting like that on other threads.
- danielheath 6y ago
  Darkness is the property of absorbing light. The technique of analysing light which penetrates the skin, then reflects, then penetrates the skin again on the way out? Easier with skin that allows more light through. You can turn up the light source to make up for the loss due to skin pigmentation, though this can require a very bright lamp for particularly dark skin.

kingkawn 6y ago

I did not imagine it would be harder with dark skin tones, I assumed you all would actually try to make something applicable for everyone.

carrolldunham 6y ago
The poster said it needs good i.e. bright lighting to work. How is it contentious that it would be harder with skin that reflects less light?
gnramires 6y ago
What a toxic comment. He is simply referring to the technical difficulty associated with darker skin tones. Of course we should strive for making it applicable for everyone. Sometimes physiological variations get into play; sometimes this means a method isn't adequate, or you can use different methods for different persons.
jimmydorry 6y ago
From the commenting guideline: >Comments should get more thoughtful and substantive, not less, as a topic gets more divisive. >Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith. Please refrain from commenting like that on other threads.
danielheath 6y ago
Darkness is the property of absorbing light. The technique of analysing light which penetrates the skin, then reflects, then penetrates the skin again on the way out? Easier with skin that allows more light through. You can turn up the light source to make up for the loss due to skin pigmentation, though this can require a very bright lamp for particularly dark skin.