Feature detection apparatus and method for measuring object distances

Abstract

A feature detection apparatus and method for obtaining in a defined area of interest a parametric shape based on a selected combination of parameter values, constituting an approximation to an object feature. The feature detection apparatus includes an input unit for receiving at least two area indicator lines for defining in a digital image an area of interest, a parameter range defining unit for defining ranges of at least two parameters of a parametric shape, for which the parametric shape intersects at least one of the area indicator lines; a parameter selection unit for selecting a combination of parameter values from the parameter ranges, for which the parametric shape constitutes an approximation to an object feature of the object in the area of interest; and an output unit for providing the parametric shape based on said combination of parameter values for a display in the digital image.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.