The book provides a comprehensive view of Pattern Recognition concepts and methods, illustrated with real-life applications in several areas. It is appropriate as a textbook of Pattern Recognition courses and also for professionals and researchers who need to apply Pattern Recognition techniques. These are explained in a unified an innovative way, with multiple examples enhacing the clarification of concepts and the application of methods. Recent methods and results in Pattern Recognition are also presented in a clear way. A CD-ROM offered with the book includes datasets and software tools, making it easier for the reader to follow the taught matters in a hands-on fashion right from the start.