1. An image recognition apparatus for passively identifying individuals in a monitored area comprising: means for storing a first set of reference facial image signatures wherein each reference facial image signature in the first set corresponds to a predetermined one of said individuals and is formed from an initial image of a predetermined individual by a first facial recognition methodology; means for storing a second set of reference facial image signatures wherein each reference facial image signature in the second set corresponds to a predetermined one of said individuals and is formed from an initial image of a predetermined individual by a second facial recognition methodology which is different from the first facial recognition methodology; image capturing means for capturing video images of a monitored area; means for extracting a first current facial image signature from the video image by processing the video images and by utilizing the first facial recognition methodology and for providing a first set of identity-indicating scores by comparing the first current facial image signature to each reference facial image signature of the first set of reference facial image signatures; means for extracting a second current facial image signature from the video image by processing the video images and by utilizing the second facial recognition methodology and for providing a second set of identity-indicating scores by comparing the second current facial image signature to each reference facial image signature of the second set of reference facial image signatures; and, means for fusing the first and second sets of identity-indicating scores to form a set of composite identity-indicating scores from which individuals may be identified.
1. An image recognition apparatus for passively identifying individuals in a monitored area comprising: means for storing a first set of reference facial image signatures wherein each reference facial image signature in the first set corresponds to a predetermined one of said individuals and is formed from an initial image of a predetermined individual by a first facial recognition methodology; means for storing a second set of reference facial image signatures wherein each reference facial image signature in the second set corresponds to a predetermined one of said individuals and is formed from an initial image of a predetermined individual by a second facial recognition methodology which is different from the first facial recognition methodology; image capturing means for capturing video images of a monitored area; means for extracting a first current facial image signature from the video image by processing the video images and by utilizing the first facial recognition methodology and for providing a first set of identity-indicating scores by comparing the first current facial image signature to each reference facial image signature of the first set of reference facial image signatures; means for extracting a second current facial image signature from the video image by processing the video images and by utilizing the second facial recognition methodology and for providing a second set of identity-indicating scores by comparing the second current facial image signature to each reference facial image signature of the second set of reference facial image signatures; and, means for fusing the first and second sets of identity-indicating scores to form a set of composite identity-indicating scores from which individuals may be identified. 6. The image recognition apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for storing reference body shape signatures, wherein each reference body shape signature corresponds to a predetermined one of the individuals and is formed from an initial image of a predetermined individual by a body shape recognition methodology; and, means for extracting a current body shape signature from the video images by utilizing the body shape recognition methodology and for providing a third set of identity-indicating scores by comparing the current body shape signature to each reference body shape signature.