Dell FaceAware Software Guide

This article provides information about Dell FaceAware software.  

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Table of Contents:

1. What is Dell FaceAware?
2. Initial Setup
3. Secured Desktop
4. Power Management
5. Further Support

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What is Dell FaceAware?

Dell FaceAware is a software package developed by Sensible Vision and Dell. FaceAware provides security, and user-presence power management features using Sensible Vision’s patent-pending face recognition and detection technology.

This sophisticated software learns the users face and when the users face is not within the proximity of the webcam, it triggers the system to lock and also changes to a pre-set power management profile.

This improves both desktop security and to improve power utilization and battery life.

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Initial Setup

All FaceAware Features are disabled until enabled by the user.

The FaceAware Configuration Console
All configurations are done through the FaceAware Configuration Console.

Ways to open the configuration console:

• Click on the "Configure Dell FaceAware" link in the Start Menu (Start > Programs > Dell FaceAware)
• Double-click on the FaceAware Icon in the Windows System Tray

 

Using the Configuration Console
Click on the FaceAware button in the upper left corner of the Configuration Console to configure FaceAware.

• Features and settings that are not available are shown in light gray
• OK - Clicking the OK button saves any changes made within the console and then closes the console. If the OK button is not clicked and the "X" close window box is selected, FaceAware displays an alert box prompting you to save changes
• Cancel - Clears any changes that have been made and closes the console. A confirmation box appears before this action is taken
• Apply - Clicking Apply saves the settings but does not close the console
• Defaults - Restores all settings for factory defaults. Both the Secured Desktop and Power Management are disabled. A confirmation box appears before this action is taken

Selecting the selected mode of operation

• Secure Desktop- Check Box Selected: Locks your computer's desktop when your face is no longer in view of the webcam
• Power Management- Check Box Selected: Activates Vista's or XP's power savings mode when your face is no longer in view of the webcam
• Secure Desktop and Power Management- Both Check Boxes Selected: Locks the computer when your face is no longer in view of the webcam and 30 seconds later activates power savings

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Secured Desktop

Overview
The Secured Desktop automatically locks your computer when your face is out of view of the webcam. Once locked, a normal window login is required.

• On most domain computers, a CTRL+ALT+Delete followed by the password is required to unlock the computer
• On most non-domain computers, only a password is required to unlock the computer

Enabling the Secured Desktop
When the Secured Desktop Mode checkbox is selected, your computer automatically locks the desktop when the front of your face is out of view of the webcam.

 

Anytime the Secured Desktop is enabled from the Configuration Console and the user’s identity cannot be confirmed, FaceAware confirms authorized access by locking the computer and then requiring a password to unlock the desktop. This also allows FaceAware to learn and or update the biometric database for proper control of the automatic locking function. Before the computer is locked an alert message is displayed.

If Desktop Usage Mode is set to Private - You must click OK before FaceAware locks the computer and finish activating the Secured Desktop. In Collaborative mode, there is no display.



Options
There are several options to control how this function behaves:

• Security Lockout Timer: This slider controls how quickly the computer locks when your eyes, nose, and mouth are no longer in view of the webcam. Balance the speed of locking with your security requirements. If this timer is set to less than 30 seconds, you may find your computer is locked too frequently for a convenient workflow. When a delay time of 0 seconds is selected, an alert box confirms that the user wants such a fast locking action. The Default time is 1 min
• Desktop Usage Mode: These Radio Buttons control the locking action once the Security Lockout Timer has started and a face becomes visible again but before the computer has locked

• Collaborative: Any face in view of the webcam prevents the computer from locking. This mode is ideal for most day to day usage and allows the screen to be viewed by another person.
• Private: Only the face of the person who last logged into the computer can prevent the computer from locking. This mode provides the most security, but requires a clear view to prevent the system from locking

Locking Times
The time it takes to lock the computer varies according to your settings. Your face leaving view of the camera triggers the start of the countdown specified by the Security Lockout Timer slider. Two conditions can then occur:

• A face does not reenter view of the camera during that countdown. In this case, the desktop locks when the countdown is complete
• A face does reenter view of the webcam during the countdown. If working in "Collaborative mode," the countdown is cancelled and you may continue work as normal. If you are in "Private Mode," then FaceAware has 30 seconds from the point in time when the face reappeared to determine whose face it is. During that 30 seconds, one of two events occur:
  • FaceAware re-recognizes the logged in user. The countdown is cancelled, and you may continue work as normal
  • After 30 seconds, FaceAware does not recognize the face at all, and the desktop locks. It is possible for FaceAware to fail to re-recognize the logged in user’s face. The more you use the FaceAware system, the better it gets at recognizing your face, diminishing the frequency of an undesired lock

Temporary Disable
You can temporarily disable the FaceAware Secured Desktop by right clicking on the FaceAware icon in the system tray and selecting "Disable FaceAware Temporarily."
 

	Note:
	A logout or reboot automatically re-enables FaceAware.

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Power Management

Overview
With FaceAware, your computer now knows when you are and are not using it. You can read a document for as long as necessary and Power Savings remains inactive because your face is visible. When you leave the computer, Power Savings mode activates more quickly than it would without FaceAware - giving you maximum power savings while not interrupting your work. FaceAware can save energy when plugged in to AC or operating on the laptop's battery.

FaceAware Power Management sets your computer for good performance when a person's face is in view of the webcam. When a face is no longer in view of the webcam, the computer enters a power savings mode. This approach is superior to inactivity timers as your computer enter a power savings mode more frequently with FaceAware. This can save a significant amount of energy.

With traditional power management technology, timers turning off the screen or placing the computer into a low-power state must be set to long periods of time to prevent the computer from blanking the display or entering sleep as you read a document on the screen.

Enabling Power Management
Power Management is enabled when the FaceAware Power Management Check Box is selected.

 

Options
Power Management Timer - When your computer is unlocked, this slider delays how quickly the Power Savings plan is activated once a face is no longer in view of the webcam.

• 0, 5 and 15 seconds: These settings provide the maximum responsiveness by automatically returning the screen to full brightness when a face is in view of the webcam. If the screen has been turned off, keyboard or mouse activity is required to turn the screen on and return the computer to normal power usage
• Emailaccs
• 30, 45 and 60 seconds: These settings provide the maximum power savings by also turning off the webcam after the power savings mode has been activated by FaceAware. Once the screen has been turned off, keyboard or mouse activity is required to turn the screen on and return the computer to normal power usage

Returning to Normal Power Usage
Depending on the setting of the Power Management Timer, your face, using any key on the keyboard or moving the mouse quickly returns the computer to normal power usage.

Temporary Disable
You can temporarily disable the FaceAware Power Management by right clicking on the FaceAware icon in the system tray and selecting "Disable FaceAware Temporarily."
 

	Note:
	A logout or reboot automatically re-enables FaceAware.

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Further Support and FAQs

For further assistance, contact Dell Technical Support .

You can also find further information from Sensible Vision. 

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Not required

See above