Attribute Pair-Based Visual Recognition and Memory

Abstract

BackgroundIn the human visual system, different attributes of an object, such as shape, color, and motion, are processed separately in different areas of the brain. This raises a fundamental question of how are these attributes integrated to produce a unified perception and a specific response. This “binding problem” is computationally difficult because all attributes are assumed to be bound together to form a single object representation. However, there is no firm evidence to confirm that such representations exist for general objects.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere we propose a paired-attribute model in which cognitive processes are based on multiple representations of paired attributes. In line with the model's prediction, we found that multiattribute stimuli can produce an illusory perception of a multiattribute object arising from erroneous integration of attribute pairs, implying that object recognition is based on parallel perception of paired attributes. Moreover, in a change-detection task, a feature change in a single attribute frequently caused an illusory perception of change in another attribute, suggesting that multiple pairs of attributes are stored in memory.Conclusions/SignificanceThe paired-attribute model can account for some novel illusions and controversial findings on binocular rivalry and short-term memory. Our results suggest that many cognitive processes are performed at the level of paired attributes rather than integrated objects, which greatly facilitates the binding problem and provides simpler solutions for it.

Feature Integration in the Mapping of Multi-Attribute Visual Stimuli to Responses

“…This conclusion, together with the results of previous studies16171819, strongly suggests that attention binds two attributes but does not form a unitary representation of three or more attributes, because we did not find any cognitive processes based on such a representation for an arbitrary object. Presumably, unified representations of three or more attributes are used only for very familiar objects or feature conjunctions, and long-term learning is required for their formation.…”

The neural binding problem(s)

“…As discussed above, the neurons in early and intermediate vision are sensitive to multiple, but not all, stimulus dimensions (Kaas 1997). Morita et al (2010) describe a number of binocular rivalry binding experiments and models suggesting that pair-based feature coding is important in vision. Their basic display varied three features across the two eyes: shape (flower, snowflake), color (red, green), and rotation (clockwise, counter-clockwise).…”

Measurement of Stone Diameter with Three Sizes of Automatically Fixating Stone Baskets

“…Under experimental conditions and under consideration of the used materials it is possible to measure stone diameters with a stone retrieval basket. With this information it might be possible to increase the safety and effectiveness of endourological procedures because the surgeon is able to estimate the post operative prognosis based on his own or known rational between stone size and potential complications [7].…”

“…The perception depends on the shape, colour, distance to the renoskope and dilatation of the ureter. This is the so-called binding problem [6], because shape, color and direction of motion are processed separately by different population of neurons [7].…”