Face Sketch-Photo Matching Using the Local Gradient Fuzzy Pattern

This article proposes a novel and accurate method for matching face-sketch images with face-photo images, and vice versa. A new local fuzzy descriptor in the gradient domain, called the local gradient fuzzy pattern (LGFP), is proposed. The LGFP is a set of membership values generated using the restricted equivalence function (REF) of the intensity (gradient value) differences between a central pixel and its neighbors in a local 3 x 3 window. The LGFP outperforms other fuzzy domain-related local binary features. It was tested on blurred, noisy, and disguised sketches, where it established its robustness and superiority over established recent methods.