Shape detection with limited memory

A new approach to shape detection through the generalized Hough transform is introduced. The method is based on a limited memory implementation of the transform, that reduces its cost and makes it suitable for hardware implementation. The rationale of the method is that a shape is bound by a circle whose radius is, in most practical situations, much smaller than the dimensions of the image processed. This a priori knowledge can be used during the vote collection phase of the transform to guide flushing operations against a filled memory. The method is tested in the simple case of circles detection and in more practical situations of IC inspection.