A Generic System for Image Interpretation Using Flexible Templates

We describe a generic approach to image interpretation, based on combining a general method of building flexible template models with Genetic Algorithm (GA) search. The method can be applied to a given image interpretation problem simply by training a Point Distribution Model (PDM), using a set of examples of the image structure to be located. A local optimisation technique, developed for use with PDMs, has been incorporated into the GA search with the aim of improving the speed of convergence and optimality of solution. We present results, from three practical applications, demonstrating that the new method offers significant improvements when compared to previously reported approaches to flexible template matching. The benefits include the ability to deal with different domains of application using a standard method, the ability to deal with complex multi-part models and improved search performance.