DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLASSIFYING IMAGES USING AN ATTENTION LAYER

A computer-implemented method for classifying images (x) using an image classifier (60) that comprises at least one attention layer (63), wherein the method comprises the following steps:* Providing an input activation map (X63) to the attention layer (63), wherein the input activation map (X63) is determined depending the image (x);* Providing, in the attention layer (63), a correlation matrix (C) comprising a plurality of entries (Ci,j), wherein each of the entries characterizes a relative dependence of a first pixel (ix, iy) of the input activation map (X63) on a second pixel (jx,jy) of the input activation map (X63), further wherein the correlation matrix (C) depends on a prior matrix (G);* Obtaining an attention layer output (Oh) depending on the input activation map (X63) and the correlation matrix (C);* Computing a classification (y) of the image (x) depending on the attention layer output (Oh).