title: Gradient-based analysis of non-Fourier motion.
abstract: A gradient-based image analysis technique is applied to a class of non-Fourier stimuli. To create the stimuli, n translating sine waves with identical spatial and temporal frequencies, but separated by 2pi/n radians, are spatially randomly sampled to produce a P(n) stimulus. For n>or=2, the stimuli are non-Fourier. Local image gradients are represented in the form of a gradient plot, a histogram which shows the frequency of ranges of temporal gradient/spatial gradient pairs occurring. It is shown that the gradient plots contain features, oriented in gradient space, which indicate correct non-Fourier velocity. As n increases, so too does the complexity of the gradient plots, a finding which may account for the concomitant decrease in perceived coherent motion [Vision Res 37 (1997) 1459]. This paper demonstrates that the gradient plot and associated velocity plots are a useful way of assessing gradient-based motion information. Compared to the traditional Fourier based approach, gradient-based analysis can lead to different judgement of the motion information available to standard models of low-level motion processing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, 8 Woodland Road, Bristol, UK. chris.benton@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Benton
mesh_terms: D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009039:Motion Perception; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011601:Psychophysics