Dynamical Systems Approach to Target Motion Perception and Ocular Motion Control

In this paper, we introduce a dynamical systems approach to two problems. The first problem is to dynamically estimate the motion parameters of a moving target. The second problem is to dynamically control the orientation of the visual system. In the first problem we consider a planar textured surface undergoing a rigid or an affine motion. The visual system is a CCD camera which is assumed to be held fixed in space. The observation model for the camera is assumed to be a perspective projection model. We show the underlying dynamical system is a “perspective system.” In the second problem, the visual system is assumed to be the oculomotor system. A dynamic model of the associated control system is developed that is particularly appropriate for modeling saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movements. The eye is controlled by extraocular muscles and the control signals are generated by motoneuronal activity. The problem of orientation control of a visual system to track a given moving target is an example of perspective control which has been introduced in this paper. Perspective control of ocular motion would be a subject of future investigation.