Patent ID: 7463763
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: G06K,G06T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for assisting in selecting a pattern element from a reference image as a reference pattern element used for detecting a position of a target image relative to said reference image by pattern matching, comprising: a pattern-element extractor for extracting a plurality of pattern elements from a reference image; a distinguishability checker for checking whether or not one of said plurality of pattern elements is distinguishable from the other pattern elements and usable as a reference pattern element for pattern matching; a display for displaying at least part of said reference image; and an input part for accepting an operator's selection of a pattern element out of said plurality of pattern elements as a reference pattern element, wherein said distinguishability checker checks whether or not a pattern element selected by said operator via said input part is distinguishable from the other pattern elements, and a result of the check is notified to said operator, wherein when said result of check is in the negative, said input part accepts said operator's selection of another pattern element out of said plurality of pattern elements, and said distinguishability checker checks whether or not a combination of two pattern elements selected by said operator is distinguishable from all the other combinations of two pattern elements out of said plurality of pattern elements, using a positional relationship between said two pattern elements selected by said operator.