초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a combined approach of image and template correlation, and vector correlation wherein edge detection and pattern searching are joined in a single operation to provide great flexibility without requiring extensive computational facilities. A template is devised from a

The present invention relates to a combined approach of image and template correlation, and vector correlation wherein edge detection and pattern searching are joined in a single operation to provide great flexibility without requiring extensive computational facilities. A template is devised from a sparse set of coordinate points that model only the important edges of an object to be located within an image. Different templates are dynamically reconstructed as an estimation of the object location within the image becomes more precise.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] For use in an automatic image processing system, a method for locating a position of an object within an image, the image defined by a plurality of image pixels, each image pixel having a known intensity value and a known coordinate point, comprising the steps of:determin

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] For use in an automatic image processing system, a method for locating a position of an object within an image, the image defined by a plurality of image pixels, each image pixel having a known intensity value and a known coordinate point, comprising the steps of:determining an estimation of the object;translating the estimation of the object into an abstract template by defining said abstract template using a number of vectors comprising a set of coordinate points and corresponding edge directions, each coordinate point lying on an edge of said estimation of the object and a corresponding edge direction passing through said coordinate point substantially perpendicular to said edge at said coordinate point;converting the abstract template into a template based on the estimation of the object including a plurality of coordinate edge pairs, at least one coordinate edge pair formed of a pair of coordinate edge points spaced on opposite sides of the one edge of the estimation of the object;using an equal number of vectors along substantially vertical and substantially horizontal extents of said template; andselecting at least one vector for one edge of said estimation of the object subject to a sufficiently large angular difference between adjacent edges;displacing said template to each of a plurality of known coordinating point locations within said image; andcorrelating said template with said image at each of said locations until a maximum correlation is located, wherein the location corresponding to said maximum correlation indicates the position of the object.