Visual Representations Subserving Texture Perception.

Abstract

Abstract : We have conducted research on the role of spatial filtering, features, and grouping in texture segregation. Our experiments indicate the interplay of two different processes. One process involves the differential excitation of elongated receptive fields. Texture segregation is a function of energy differences (contrast and size) that are largely extracted from the lower spatial frequencies. The second process involves local processes of linking between localized features. Linking of contours, for example, is a function of contour smoothness, collinearity, orientation, etc. These affects cannot be explained in terms of low frequency differences. Studies of the linking of discrete textures have provided convergent evidence for explicit place markers and the role of similarity of attributes such as color and contrast in establishing these groupings. We have also examined the role of pairwise linkings, or virtual lines for imposing global organization on the localized intensity changes. Also, at the level of contour representation within testure, we have shown the role of the concave cusp, a localized geometric feature, in determining figure-ground assignment in texture. Keywords: Vision; Texture perception, and Texture segmentation.