This work presents a bold new theory of the cognitive circuitry of the brain, with emphasis on the functioning of human vision. Departing from conventional precepts in the fields of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and visual psychophysics, the author has developed a computational theory that provides a unitary explanation for a wide range of visual capabilities and behaviors, most of which have no accepted theoretical explanation. He describes a cortical mechanism termed "map-seeking” and demonstrates its explanatory power in areas as diverse as limb-motion planning and perceptual deficits associated with schizophrenia. The author argues that map-seeking is a fundamental, broadly applicable computational operation with algorithmic, neuronal, and analog electronic implementations, and that its generality makes it suitable as the core of a computational explanation for several cognitive functions. Variations of this map-seeking circuit perform recognition under visual transformations, tracking, scene segmentation, and determination of shape from view displacement. The mathematical principle on which map-seeking depends, a superposition ordering property, solves the combinatorial explosion problem that has plagued all other approaches to visual computation. The author demonstrates that map-seeking is capable of realistic performances in neuronal form and in many current technological procedures. Because of its breadth of application, it is a plausible cortical theory. Because it can be implemented electronically, it forms the basis for a computational technology highly suited for visual, and other perceptual, cognitive, and motor applications.

Both pattern recognition and computer vision have experienced rapid progress in the last twenty-five years. This book provides the latest advances on pattern recognition and computer vision along with their many applications. It features articles written by renowned leaders in the field while topics are presented in readable form to a wide range of readers. The book is divided into five parts: basic methods in pattern recognition, basic methods in computer vision and image processing, recognition applications, life science and human identification, and systems and technology. There are eight new chapters on the latest developments in life sciences using pattern recognition as well as two new chapters on pattern recognition in remote sensing.

At?rstsight,thisbookisaboutfacerecognitioninthebrain.Itsmorelasting value, however,lies in the paradigmatic way in which this particular problem is treated. From the basic ideas that are worked out here in concrete detail, it is a naturaland simple next step to at leastimagine, if not realizein model form, much more generalstructures and processes,thus helping to bridge the still tremendous chasm between mind and brain. It is the purpose of this foreword to point out these generic traits. For centuries, thinking about the brain has been dominated by the most complexmechanisticdevicesofthetime,clockwork,communicatinghydraulic tubesor,today,thecomputer.Thecomputer,takenasincarnationoftheU- versal Turing Machine, can implement any conceivable process, so that also a functional brain can surely be simulated on it, an idea that, beginning in the ?fties of the last century, has been seducing scientists to create “art- cial intelligence” in the computer. As a result we now have an information technology that displays many functional capabilities formerly regarded as the exclusive domain of the mind. As fascinating as this is, doting on “int- ligent machines” is systematically diverting our attention awayfrom the true problems of understanding the working of the brain.

A key property of neural processing in higher mammals is the ability to focus resources by selectively directing attention to relevant perceptions, thoughts or actions. Research into attention has grown rapidly over the past two decades, as new techniques have become available to study higher brain function in humans, non-human primates, and other mammals. Neurobiology of Attention is the first encyclopedic volume to summarize the latest developments in attention research.An authoritative collection of over 100 chapters organized into thematic sections provides both broad coverage and access to focused, up-to-date research findings. This book presents a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary perspective on psychological, physiological and computational approaches to understanding the neurobiology of attention. Ideal for students, as a reference handbook or for rapid browsing, the book has a wide appeal to anybody interested in attention research.* Contains numerous quick-reference articles covering the breadth of investigation into the subject of attention* Provides extensive introductory commentary to orient and guide the reader* Includes the most recent research results in this field of study