An adaptive pattern-recognition algorithm is described. It has the followin
g distinctive features: a compact description of the characteristic volumes
of the alphabet objects in feature space is created; a training sample is
synthesized from a single image of the object; the positions of reference p
oints in feature space are determined by the size of the object being recog
nized; a "fuzzy" decision rule with calculation of the confidence measures
to hypotheses for assigning the object being recognized to one of the alpha
bet objects is employed. A simpler version of the algorithm described is al
so considered. Instead of employing a fuzzy decision rule, the object being
recognized is assigned to the alphabet object to which the Euclidean dista
nce in feature space is smallest. The results of the recognition of geometr
ic figures on a noise-contaminated discrete image by these algorithms are c
ompared with the results of recognition according the "nearest-neighbor" ru
le and visual-recognition data. A feature recognition program system develo
ped on the basis of the adaptive algorithm with a fuzzy decision rule is de
scribed. (C) 2000 The Optical Society of America.