1. A method for identification of a video image object comprising the steps of: receiving a first video image from a video device; digitizing said first video image to generate a second video image; calculating encoded object edge data segments based on said second video image including the angle tangent to the object edge segments using a digital video processor, wherein said object edge segments makeup an object perimeter; calculating angular rate of change data based on said object perimeter; matching said angular rate of change data to one of a plurality of known object templates to identify an object.