Moment invariants for 3D flow fields via normalization

Abstract

We generalize the framework of moments and introduce a definition of invariants for three-dimensional vector fields. To do so, we use the method of moment normalization that has been shown to be useful in the two dimensions. Using invariant moments, we show how to search for patterns in these fields independent from their position, orientation and scale. From the first order vector moment tensor, we construct a complete and independent set of descriptors. We test the invariants in queries on synthetic and real world flow fields.