We derive a sensitivity analysis for moment invariants
of multidimensional distributions. These invariants have many uses in
computational systems and have recently been used for
illumination-invariant recognition in color images.
In this context,
the sensitivity analysis predicts the response
of moment invariants to partial occlusion. Using the results
of the sensitivity analysis, we develop a novel surface representation
called the invariant profile which captures color distribution and spatial
information while remaining invariant to the spectral content of the
scene illumination. Unlike previous representations, the recognition of
invariant profiles does not require illumination correction. We
demonstrate the sensitivity analysis and the use of invariant profiles
for recognition with a set of experiments on color images.