Pixel classification through divergence-based integration of texture methods with conflict resolution

This paper presents a new technique for combining multiple texture feature extraction methods in order to classify the pixels of an input image into a set of texture models of interest. The problem of integrating multiple texture methods for classification purposes is cast as a collaborative decision making problem. Each texture method is considered to be an expert that gives an opinion about the membership of every input image pixel to each texture model, along with a conviction about that judgement. A conviction measure based on the Kullback J-divergence between texture models is proposed, along with an arbitration mechanism that combines those convictions by taking into account conflicts that may occur when different experts disagree with a similar strength. The proposed technique is compared to previous pixel-based texture classifiers by using real textured images.