Parallel, semiparallel, and serial processing of visual hyperacuity

Manfred W. Fahle

doi:10.1117/12.19672

1 October 1990 Parallel, semiparallel, and serial processing of visual hyperacuity

Manfred W. Fahle

Proceedings Volume 1249, Human Vision and Electronic Imaging: Models, Methods, and Applications; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19672
Event: Electronic Imaging: Advanced Devices and Systems, 1990, Santa Clara, CA, United States

Abstract

Humans can discriminate between certain elementary stimulus features in parallel, i.e., simultaneously over the visual field. I present evidence that, in man, vernier rnisalignments in the hyperacuity-range, i.e., below the photoreceptor diameter, can also be detected in parallel. This indicates that the visUal system performs some form of spatial interpolation beyond the photoreceptor spacing simultaneously over the visual field. Vernier offsets are detected in parallel even when orientation cues are masked: deviation from straightness is an elementary feature of visual perception. However, the identification process, that classifies each vernier in a stimulus as being offset to the right (versus to the left) is serial and has to scan the visual field sequentially if orientation cues are masked. Therefore, reaction times and thresholds in vernier acuity tasks increase with the number of verniers presented simultaneously if classification of different features is required. Furthermore, when approaching vernier threshold, simple vernier detection is no longer parallel but becomes partially serial, or semi-parallel.

Citation Download Citation

Manfred W. Fahle "Parallel, semiparallel, and serial processing of visual hyperacuity", Proc. SPIE 1249, Human Vision and Electronic Imaging: Models, Methods, and Applications, (1 October 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19672

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