Abstract: A recognition system that operates in an iterative process on detected features progressively setting a detection window for enhancing the recognition process. The process allows integration over multiple samples of the detection window until recognition occurs. In each iteration, a measure or distribution determined by the remaining set of candidate objects is used to redirect the window of attention, which is preferably directed to a feature at one level, with a weighting such that detection of the feature or confirmation of its absence more efficiently winnows the remaining candidate set. The active set of candidate objects is quickly reduced as inspection of targeted features proceeds.