The coding of spatial position by the human visual system: Effects of spatial scale and contrast

In this study we investigate the nature of the computations that underlie the encoding of spatial position by the human visual system. Specifically, we explore the relationship between alignment accuracy and spatial scale on the one hand, and between alignment accuracy and contrast on the other. We do this for stimuli where local luminance, local contrast, and orientation cues do not underlie performance. The results suggest that spatial localisation is independent of spatial scale and weakly dependent on contrast. We present subsequent models based on the properties of some classes of visual cortical neurones, namely multiplicative noise and contrast energy detection of complex cells, which describe the form of these relationships.

[1]  Hugh R. Wilson,et al.  Responses of spatial mechanisms can explain hyperacuity , 1986, Vision Research.

[2]  Dennis M. Levi,et al.  Spatial interval discrimination with blurred lines: Black and white are separate but not equal at multiple spatial scales , 1990, Vision Research.

[3]  R. Watt,et al.  Spatial filters and the localization of luminance changes in human vision , 1984, Vision Research.

[4]  J. Koenderink,et al.  Differential spatial displacement discrimination thresholds for Gabor patches , 1988, Vision Research.

[5]  H. Spitzer,et al.  A complex-cell receptive-field model. , 1985, Journal of neurophysiology.

[6]  Arthur Bradley,et al.  Is reduced vernier acuity in amblyopia due to position, contrast or fixation deficits? , 1985, Vision Research.

[7]  R. Watt,et al.  A theory of the primitive spatial code in human vision , 1985, Vision Research.

[8]  D R Badcock,et al.  Discrimination of spatial phase changes: contrast and position codes. , 1988, Spatial vision.

[9]  J. Koenderink,et al.  Scale invariant features of differential spatial displacement discrimination , 1987, Vision Research.

[10]  C. A. Burbeck,et al.  Large-scale relative localization across spatial frequency channels , 1988, Vision Research.

[11]  D. Regan,et al.  Opponent model for line interval discrimination: Interval and vernier performance compared , 1987, Vision Research.

[12]  R. Watt,et al.  The recognition and representation of edge blur: Evidence for spatial primitives in human vision , 1983, Vision Research.

[13]  D. Badcock.  How do we discriminate relative spatial phase? , 1984, Vision Research.

[14]  R. F. Hess,et al.  Evidence for spatially local computations underlying discrimination of periodic patterns in fovea and periphery , 1987, Vision Research.

[15]  Alexander Toet,et al.  Visual Perception of Spatial Order , 1987 .

[16]  Jacob Nachmias.  Contrast modulated maskers: Test of a late nonlinearity hypothesis , 1989, Vision Research.

[17]  C. A. Burbeck.  Position and spatial frequency in large-scale localization judgments , 1987, Vision Research.

[18]  D J Field,et al.  Relations between the statistics of natural images and the response properties of cortical cells. , 1987, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics and image science.

[19]  D. Badcock.  Spatial phase or luminance profile discrimination? , 1984, Vision Research.

[20]  D. Pollen,et al.  Responses of simple and complex cells to compound sine-wave gratings , 1988, Vision Research.

[21]  Bart Farell,et al.  Vernier acuity: Effects of chromatic content, blur and contrast , 1991, Vision Research.

[22]  Frank L. Kooi,et al.  Spatial localization across channels , 1991, Vision Research.

[23]  Dennis M. Levi,et al.  Equivalent intrinsic blur in amblyopia , 1990, Vision Research.

[24]  J. Nachmias,et al.  Masking by spatially-modulated gratings , 1983, Vision Research.

[25]  R. J. Watt,et al.  The use of different cues in vernier acuity , 1983, Vision Research.

[26]  David Whitaker,et al.  Interaction of spatial frequency and separation in vernier acuity , 1991, Vision Research.

[27]  J. M. FINDLAY.  Feature Detectors and Vernier Acuity , 1973, Nature.

[28]  B. Julesz,et al.  Spatial-frequency masking in vision: critical bands and spread of masking. , 1972, Journal of the Optical Society of America.

[29]  D. Hubel,et al.  Receptive fields, binocular interaction and functional architecture in the cat's visual cortex , 1962, The Journal of physiology.

[30]  Hugh R. Wilson,et al.  Model of peripheral and amblyopic hyperacuity , 1991, Vision Research.

[31]  J. J. Koenderink,et al.  The visual assessment of the spatial location of a bright bar , 1988, Vision Research.

[32]  D. G. Albrecht,et al.  Spatial frequency selectivity of cells in macaque visual cortex , 1982, Vision Research.

[33]  S. Klein,et al.  Hyperacuity thresholds of 1 sec: theoretical predictions and empirical validation. , 1985, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics and image science.

[34]  C Blakemore,et al.  On the existence of neurones in the human visual system selectively sensitive to the orientation and size of retinal images , 1969, The Journal of physiology.

[35]  D. Broadbent,et al.  Some experiments bearing on the hypothesis that the visual system analyses spatial patterns in independent bands of spatial frequency , 1975, Vision Research.