Abstract
A general problem in texture discrimination is accounting for the discernment of a texture generation rule in statistically-defined textures. A theory of induction of the ensemble generation rule from individual sample textures is developed to account for the concept of random textures and for human discriminability of the texture statistics of infinite ensembles based on random generation rules.
With a sound theory in place, the mechanisms of fourth-order texture discrimination are evaluated through the manipulations of random strip rotation, of insertion of alternate random strips, and of interlacing separate fourth-order patterns. Each manipulation substantially degrades the visibility of the fourth-order textures, revealing that the fourth-order information is conveyed largely by local perturbations from random statistics that are disrupted by these manipulations.
Textures are developed that are statistically equated at all orders but retain local perturbations from random statistics. Such infinite-order textures may readily be discriminated in human vision. The discrimination on the basis of local perturbations fits the view that human vision assesses textures through a local rolling window, and is insensitive to longer-range statistical properties.