A general scheme for training and optimization of the Grenander deformable template model

General deformable models have reduced the need for hand crafting new models for every new problem, but still most of the general models rely on manual interaction by an expert, when applied to a new problem, e.g. for selecting parameters and initialization. We propose a full and unified scheme for applying the general deformable template model proposed by (Grenander et al., 1991) to a new problem with minimal manual interaction, beside supplying a training set, which can be done by a non-expert user. The main contributions compared to previous work are a supervised learning scheme for the model parameters, a very fast general initialization algorithm and an adaptive likelihood model based on local means. The model parameters are trained by a combination of a 2D shape learning algorithm and a maximum likelihood based criteria. The fast initialization algorithm is based on a search approach using a filter interpretation of the likelihood model.