Perceptual system
Encyclopedia
A perceptual system is a computational system (biological or artificial) designed to make inference
s 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:
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, and computer science
.
Inference
Inference is the act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true. The conclusion drawn is also called an idiomatic. The laws of valid inference are studied in the field of logic.Human inference Inference is the act or process of deriving logical conclusions...
s about properties of a physical environment based on scenes
Scene (perception)
In the field of perception, a scene is information that can flow from a physical environment into a perceptual system via sensory transduction....
. Other definitions may exist.
In this context, a scene is defined as information
Information
Information in its most restricted technical sense is a message or collection of messages that consists of an ordered sequence of symbols, or it is the meaning that can be interpreted from such a message or collection of messages. Information can be recorded or transmitted. It can be recorded as...
that can flow from a physical environment into a computational system via sensory transduction
Transduction (physiology)
In physiology, transduction is the conversion of a stimulus from one form to another.Transduction in the nervous system typically refers to stimulus alerting events wherein a mechanical/physical/etc stimulus is converted into an action potential which is transmitted along axons towards the central...
. 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 human visual system
- The human auditory system
- A batBatBats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
's sonarSonarSonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
/echolocationEcholocationEcholocation may refer to:* Acoustic location, the general use of sound to locate objects* Animal echolocation, non-human animals emitting sound waves and listening to the echo in order to locate objects or navigate...
system - A man-made light intensityLight intensitySeveral measures of light are commonly known as intensity. These are obtained by dividing either a power or a luminous flux by a solid angle, a planar area, or a combination of the two...
meterMeasuring instrumentIn the physical sciences, quality assurance, and engineering, measurement is the activity of obtaining and comparing physical quantities of real-world objects and events. Established standard objects and events are used as units, and the process of measurement gives a number relating the item... - A man-made motion detectorMotion detectorA motion detector is a device for motion detection. That is, it is a device that contains a physical mechanism or electronic sensor that quantifies motion that can be either integrated with or connected to other devices that alert the user of the presence of a moving object within the field of view...
Research in the field of perceptual systems focuses on computational aspects of perception
Perception
Perception is the process of attaining awareness or understanding of the environment by organizing and interpreting sensory information. All perception involves signals in the nervous system, which in turn result from physical stimulation of the sense organs...
. For this reason, there is significant overlap with neuroscience
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
, sensor
Sensor
A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury-in-glass thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated...
design, natural scene statistics, and computer science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
.
External links
- Center for Perceptual Systems, University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...