Masking and detection of hidden signals in dynamic images

Abstract

This paper proposes a principle for synthesizing a complex target environment and identifies the optical masking characteristics for unconscious perception of a signal. A signal hidden by masking is supplied on the periphery of the field of view for a short time interval, unconsciously activating wide-angle human “periscopic vision” that possesses low spatial and high temporal resolution. In these studies, the selective attention of the narrow-angle central-vision channel with high spatial resolution was charged with a pseudotarget. We assumed that peripheral vision is capable at that instant of unconsciously perceiving signals hidden by a mask and storing them in memory. It was established that the unconscious low-frequency descriptions of the signals stored in memory influence decision making and control the operator’s involuntary motions under conditions of indeterminacy. Opponent-style implementation of the interaction of central and peripheral vision can serve as a pattern for further refining artificial control systems.