System and method for template matching of candidates within a two-dimensional image

The present invention includes a method for matching a stored template with an image of an object. This is a final stage identification device in the at least one candidate array is received from a prescreener and/or intermediate discriminator. The candidate array includes a respective plurality of direction values at least partially defining a respective contour of an object within a two-dimensional image containing a possible target. The candidate array is compared with at least one stored template array. The stored template array includes a respective plurality of direction values at least partially defining an outline of a predetermined object of interest. The template array may include a plurality of template segment arrays such that various portions of the overall template are compared one at a time with the entire candidate array. The match between candidate and stored template may be scored based upon how well the template segments correspond to the candidate. Furthermore, the candidate may also be scored based upon a positional relationship between the template segments, while they are aligned with respective portions of the candidate.