Perceptual system explained

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 sensory 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, a 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

1. Lewicki, Michael S. (2002), Efficient coding of natural sounds. Nature Neuroscience 5(4):356-363. PDF
2. 10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085632. Visual Perception and the Statistical Properties of Natural Scenes. 2008. Geisler. Wilson S.. Annual Review of Psychology. 59. 167–192. 17705683.

Further reading

• Book: Gibson, James J. . The Senses Considered As Perceptual Systems . Houghton Mifflin Company . Boston . 1966 . 978-0313239618 . 463604 .

External links

• Center for Perceptual Systems, University of Texas at Austin