used to search within the general search area to locate the best region i e the region most likely to be precise key point within the general search area in performing this process the system uses the alpha image of the subject thus pixels within or on the edge of the subject have a value of one for example and pixels outside the subject have a value of zero each key point has a specially configured template although a template for the right hand key point is a mirror image of the template for the left hand key point and similarly for the left and right feet shoulders and armpits the template resembles a miniature alpha image a typical size of a template significantly smaller than the general search area is 20 pixels by 20 pixels in a preferred embodiment the pixels that have a value of one within the template make up a shape that resembles the expected shape of the key point being search for in a preferred embodiment template patterns are restricted to be rectangles so that a summed area table s a t facilitates an efficient search the template is applied to each 20 by 20 region within the general search area each time it is.