Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

Victor E Ratkowski, Jr

Michael G Neff

Ted L Johnson

Steven A Wright

The image correlation method and apparatus correlates or matches a test image with a template. The image correlation apparatus includes an image processor for partitioning the template into a number of labels, for determining the total number of pixels N.sub.T which form the template and for determining the number of pixels N.sub.i which form each of the labels i. The image correlation apparatus also includes comparison means for comparing the test image to the template. The comparison means determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N.sub.j,i representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to a predetermined label i of the template. The comparison means also determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N.sub.j representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to the template. The image correlation apparatus further includes correlation means for determining the correlation X between the test image and the template according to a predetermined equation which is based, at least in part, upon N.sub.j,i, N.sub.j, N.sub.i and N.sub.T. The image correlation apparatus can also include an address generator for creating a number of relative offsets between the template and the test image. Thus, the test image can be compared to the template at each relative offset and the relative offset which provides the greatest correlation therebetween can be determined. Consequently, the test image and the template can be effectively matched such that a preselected object designated within the template can be located and identified within the test image.

Image processing method and apparatus for correlating a test image with

The image correlation method and apparatus correlates or matches a test image with a template. The image correlation apparatus includes an image processor for partitioning the template into a number of labels, for determining the total number of pixels N.sub.T which form the template and for determining the number of pixels N.sub.i which form each of the labels i. The image correlation apparatus also includes comparison means for comparing the test image to the template. The comparison means determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N.sub.j,i representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to a predetermined label i of the template. The comparison means also determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N.sub.j representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to the template. The image correlation apparatus further includes correlation means for determining the correlation X between the test image and the template according to a predetermined equation which is based, at least in part, upon N.sub.j,i, N.sub.j, N.sub.i and N.sub.T. The image correlation apparatus can also include an address generator for creating a number of relative offsets between the template and the test image.

The image correlation method and apparatus correlates or matches a test image with a template. The image correlation apparatus includes an image processor for partitioning the template into a number of labels, for determining the total number of pixels N.sub.T which form the template and for determining the number of pixels N.sub.i which form each of the labels i. The image correlation apparatus also includes comparator for comparing the test image to the template. The comparator respectively determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N.sub.j,i representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to a predetermined label i of the template. The comparator respectively also determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N.sub.j representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to the template. The image correlation apparatus further includes correlation means for determining the correlation X between the test image and the template according to a predetermined equation which is based, at least in part, upon N.sub.j,i, N.sub.j, N.sub.i and N.sub.T. The image correlation apparatus can also include an address generator for creating a number of relative offsets between the template and the test image. Thus, the test image can be compared to the template at each relative offset and the relative offset which provides the greatest correlation therebetween can be determined. Consequently, the test image and the template can be effectively matched such that a preselected object designated within the template can be located and identified within the test image.

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St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Victor E Ratkowski, Jr