2.5D gait biometrics using the Depth Gradient Histogram Energy Image

Using gait recognition methods, people can be identified by the way they walk. The most successful and efficient of these methods are based on the Gait Energy Image (GEI). In this paper, we extend the traditional Gait Energy Image by including depth information. First, GEI is extended by calculating the required silhouettes using depth data. We then formulate a completely new feature, which we call the Depth Gradient Histogram Energy Image (DGHEI). We compare the improved depth-GEI and the new DGHEI to the traditional GEI. We do this using a new gait database which was recorded with the Kinect sensor. On this database we show significant performance gain of DGHEI.