A method, system, and computer program product for evaluating an image including
an object, including filtering image data derived from the image with a first geometric
enhancement filter having magnitude and likelihood filter components so as to produce
first filtered image data in which a first geometric pattern is enhanced. Thereafter
the filtered image data can be subjected to processing to derive a measure indicative
of the presence of the object in the image, including determining a region of interest
in the image, extracting at least one feature from the first filtered image data
from within the region of interest, and applying the at least one extracted feature
to a classifier configured to output the measure indicative of the presence of
the object in the image. The image data can also be subjected to filtering with
second and/or third geometric filters which enhance different geometric patterns,
and which produce respective filtered data which are also processed to derive the
measure indicative of the presence of the object.