Efficient re-sampling of discrete curves

System and method for re-sampling discrete curves, thereby efficiently characterizing point sets or curves in a space. The method may also provide improved means for mapping point sets or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. A weight vector or function is determined based on a plurality of discrete curves, e.g., from one or more template data sets or images. The weight function enhances differences between weighted discrete curves. A set of orthonormal polynomials is determined based on the computed weight function, where the set of orthonormal polynomials comprises a set of orthogonal eigenfunctions of a Sturm-Liouville differential equation. Values for a plurality of zeros for one of the set of orthonormal polynomials is determined that comprise resampling points for the plurality of discrete curves. Each of the plurality of discrete curves is resampled based on the determined values of the plurality of zeros.