title: The Southampton-York Natural Scenes (SYNS) dataset: Statistics of surface attitude.
abstract: Recovering 3D scenes from 2D images is an under-constrained task; optimal estimation depends upon knowledge of the underlying scene statistics. Here we introduce the Southampton-York Natural Scenes dataset (SYNS: https://syns.soton.ac.uk), which provides comprehensive scene statistics useful for understanding biological vision and for improving machine vision systems. In order to capture the diversity of environments that humans encounter, scenes were surveyed at random locations within 25 indoor and outdoor categories. Each survey includes (i) spherical LiDAR range data (ii) high-dynamic range spherical imagery and (iii) a panorama of stereo image pairs. We envisage many uses for the dataset and present one example: an analysis of surface attitude statistics, conditioned on scene category and viewing elevation. Surface normals were estimated using a novel adaptive scale selection algorithm. Across categories, surface attitude below the horizon is dominated by the ground plane (0° tilt). Near the horizon, probability density is elevated at 90°/270° tilt due to vertical surfaces (trees, walls). Above the horizon, probability density is elevated near 0° slant due to overhead structure such as ceilings and leaf canopies. These structural regularities represent potentially useful prior assumptions for human and machine observers, and may predict human biases in perceived surface attitude.
authors: Centre for Vision and Cognition, Psychology, University of Southampton, UK.
authors: Wendy J
authors: WJ
authors: Adams
authors: Centre for Vision Research, Department of Psychology, Department of Electrical Engineering &Computer Science, York University, Canada.
authors: James H
authors: JH
authors: Elder
authors: Centre for Vision and Cognition, Psychology, University of Southampton, UK.
authors: Erich W
authors: EW
authors: Graf
authors: Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, UK.
authors: Julian
authors: J
authors: Leyland
authors: Centre for Vision and Cognition, Psychology, University of Southampton, UK.
authors: Arthur J
authors: AJ
authors: Lugtigheid
authors: Centre for Vision and Cognition, Psychology, University of Southampton, UK.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Muryy
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004739:England; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet