Explaining Low-Level Brightness-Contrast Illusions Using Disinhibition

Conventional Difference of Gaussian (DOG) filter is usually used to model the early stage of visual processing. However, convolution operation used with DOG does not explicitly account for the effects of disinhibition. Because of this, complex brightness-contrast (B-C) illusions such as the White’s effect cannot be explained using DOG filters. We discovered that a model based on lateral disinhibition in biological retinas allows us to explain subtle B-C illusions. Further, we show that a feedforward filter can be derived to achieve this operation in a single pass. The results suggest that contextual effects can be processed through recurrent disinhibition, and that a similar analysis may be applicable to higher brain functions. Another observation is that the feedback loop of the recurrent network structure may improve the overall stability of the system. Potential applications of the IDOG algorithm include new design of video capturing or display system with increased robustn...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: BIOADIT
• Authors: Yingwei Yu, Takashi Yamauchi, Yoonsuck Choe
• Keywords: BIOADIT 2004, Convolution Operation, Information Technology, Recurrent Network Structure, Subtle B-c Illusions