Perceptual system
A perceptual system is a computational system (biological or artificial) designed to make inferences about properties of a physical environment based on scenes. Other definitions may exist.
In this context, a scene is defined as information that can flow from a physical environment into a computational system via sensory transduction. A sensory organ (biological or artificial) is used to capture this information. Therefore, any perceptual system must incorporate input from at least one sensory organ.
Examples of perceptual systems include:
- The visual system
- The auditory system
- The olfactory system
- The somatosensory system
- A bat's sonar/echolocation system
- A man-made light meter
- A man-made motion detector
Research in the field of perceptual systems focuses on computational aspects of perception. For this reason, there is significant overlap with neuroscience, sensor design, natural scene statistics,[1][2] and computer science.
References
- ^ Lewicki, Michael S. (2002), Efficient coding of natural sounds. Nature Neuroscience 5(4):356-363. PDF
- ^ Geisler, William S. (2008), Visual perception and the statistical properties of natural scenes. Annual Review of Psychology 59:167-192. PDF
Further reading
- Gibson, James J. (1966). The Senses Considered As Perceptual Systems. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 978-0313239618. OCLC 463604.