Abstract: Computer apparatus and method in a computer system provides shape matching. A template of a desired shape is matched to a subset of points in a subject image. The matching is determined according to an arbitrarily complex function of image point values and template point values followed by an arbitrary operation on the plurality of results of the arbitrarily complex function. In the case of fuzzy template matching, the operation is the average preferably followed by clipping to the range [0, 1] for defining fuzzy membership values. The arbitrarily complex function may be formed of a discrete array of single variable functions or single variable lookup tables.

Abstract: A matching machine is provided for use in model-based entity recognition systems. Input to the matching machine includes a detected data event separated into portions and a set of predefined hierarchical models of desired entities. The matching machine employs recursive procedures to match data event portions against model parts, and records in list structures matches between event portions and model parts. For each match, a degree of match is calculated according to a function defining the involved model part. An essential feature of calculating a degree of match is the accumulation of working degrees of match (i.e. figures of merit reflecting the strength of match of a subset of data event portions to a subset of model parts and the degree to which the relationship of portions matches the predefined relationship of model parts in arbitrarily complex models). The degree of match is recorded in the list structures.