Convolutional Cobweb: A Model of Incremental Learning from 2D Images

Abstract: This paper presents a new concept formation approach that supports the ability to incrementally learn and predict labels for visual images. This work integrates the idea of convolutional image processing, from computer vision research, with a concept formation approach that is based on psychological studies of how humans incrementally form and use concepts. We experimentally evaluate this new approach by applying it to an incremental variation of the MNIST digit recognition task. We compare its performance to Cobweb, a concept formation approach that does not support convolutional processing, as well as two convolutional neural networks that vary in the complexity of their convolutional processing. This work represents a first step towards unifying modern computer vision ideas with classical concept formation research.