Abstract: A method of automatic recognition of different materials in image segments including correlating sample image segment features to classes of materials, and identifying viewed image segments as material segments in accordance with the correlating step.

Abstract: A system for automatic object classification including means for applying a plurality of binary rules to an object, where any of the binary rules is operative to classify the object to one of a pair of classes, and means for determining to which of the classes the object is classified the greatest number of times subsequent to the application of the binary rules.

Abstract: A method for object class definition for a plurality of objects, the method including evaluating each of a plurality of features for each of the objects, thereby resulting in a feature value for each object-feature combination, performing cluster analysis on the objects to identify clusters of the objects having common features, calculating an average feature value for each feature in each of the clusters, and expressing a predefined statement associated with any of the cluster features in any of a positive, negative, and intermediate form corresponding to the cluster feature's average feature value.