Information integration study of Metelli's and Morinaga's theories of achromatic transparency

Masin, Sergio Cesare

doi:10.1111/j.1468-5884.2011.00478.x

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The first mathematical model of this process was presented by F. Metelli (Metelli, 1974) in 1974, but was later questioned by numerous researchers. This yet unresolved problem continues to present a challenge (Masin, Tommasi, & Da Pos, 2007; Masin, 2011), but lies beyond the scope of this paper.…”

Section: Transmittance-based Kinetic Perception and Occlusionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Dynamic Perception of Transparency in Architecture: Mechanisms of the Proper Recognition of Light Permeable Surfaces

Brzezicki

2014

Comprehensive Psychology

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This paper examines the issue of transparency recognition in architecture from a dynamically changing point of view. A simple and intuitive pictorial model of the transparent surface appearance is presented, followed by a discussion of the transparency processing (mid-or high-level). Two zones of perception that determine the proper perception of light-permeable surfaces are distinguished, each with their own phenomena responsible for the formation of transparency perception cues (transmittance/absorbance or reflectance). The main visual processing mechanisms are discussed, and some parallels to machine vision are found. Finally, a short checklist is presented to provide practical advice for architects dealing with large surfaces of glass in their projects.Contemporary architectural transparency seems to go beyond all previously formulated definitions. It involves new materials and technologies, as well as new ways to assess the visual perception of architecture. With the introduction of the study of the dynamic perception of architecture, previously neglected qualities of transparent materials (e.g., reflectance and refraction) have become important factors in the perception of space, and these factors are processed on different levels in the recognition of transparent materials. The approach presented here stems from architecture-based experience, but is approached from the perspective of optics and vision science. The general principles are illustrated via diagrams and individual case studies.It must be noted that the issue known as motion transparency, where "two overlapping surfaces move transparently over each other" (Snowden & Verstraten, 1999, p. 369), in other sources defined as "perception of more than one velocity field" (Qian, Andersen, & Adelson, 1994, p. 7357) is beyond the scope of this paper (Stoner, Albright, & Ramachandran, 1990). Optics of TransparencyTransparent materials are perceived differently than opaque materials. In the case of opaque objects, the phenomenon of occlusion occurs: "visible contours of the more distant object terminate at the outer boundary of the nearer one" (Wilson & Keil, 1999, p. 844). Panes-large flat thin surfaces-of transparent materials are usually so smooth that the luminous fluxes that strike them are partially reflected, partially transmitted, and partially absorbed (absorption/transmission are linked). Each transparent object absorbs part of the luminous flux energy, but simultaneously also generates specular reflections upon its surface. The optical model that approaches transparency from the position of reflected vs transmitted luminous flux balance (meaning: real and virtual images con-fused) seems to be sufficient and appropriate in consideration of optical cues distinctive for the visual system in the kinetic perception of transparency. A real/virtual image model is adopted for the sake of simplicity, as-due to the scale of the pane in architecture-other phenomena like "total internal reflection, and wavelength related effects (chromatic aberrations) cau...

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Section: Transmittance-based Kinetic Perception and Occlusionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Dynamic Perception of Transparency in Architecture: Mechanisms of the Proper Recognition of Light Permeable Surfaces

Brzezicki

2014

Comprehensive Psychology

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“…On the other hand, other authors (Koenderink et al, 2010) stressed the superior ability of a phenomenal model to describe the essential conditions of perceptual transparency in which measures of lightness are relevant instead of either reflectance or luminance. According to Masin (2011), instead, perception of transparency depends on the integration of luminance information rather than on lightness information, although in a previous research, Masin (1999b) used both lightness and luminance.…”

Section: Reflectance Luminance Lightnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychophysics and phenomenology of perceptual transparency.

Pos¹

2023

Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice

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Two main strategies of analysis have been developed for understanding perceptual transparency. Psychophysical models are based on the relationships between the physical world and perception. The many steps in the chain connecting the physical world and subjective perception force researchers to start from the intermediate neurophysiological step, because closer to the final step, the subjective phenomenal world. Alternatively, phenomenological models are focused on the experimental analysis of the interactions between elements of the phenomenal world. Sometimes, isomorphism is found between different steps, usually at the level of ordinal scales (for instance, reflectance, luminance, lightness). The article analyses both approaches and proposes a distinction inside the psychophysical approach between tight psychophysics and psychophysiology, depending on which variable is taken as correlate of the phenomenal world. It follows that in the different contexts of analysis, the mathematical formulas assume different meanings. The independent variable which is measured determines the kind of research that can be developed, according to whether the involved quantities are physical (power), physiological (neuronal responses), or phenomenological. Color contrast is used as a testbed: different ways of measuring color contrast produce physical, physiological, and perceptual color contrasts. This article highlights the two basic categories used to explain perceptual transparency without comparing their relevance: one, further subdivided into a psychophysical and a psychophysiological approach, refers to physical/physiological variables correlated with perception, and the other, the phenomenological one, refers to the perceptual correlated variables. Sometimes the two distinct approaches are present in the same research.

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“…The results of the research conducted by Singh and Anderson from MIT, suggesting that "visual system uses Michelson contrast as a critical image variable to initiate precepts of transparency and to assign transmittance to transparent surfaces" (Singh and Anderson 2002b, page 492), were recently contradicted by Masin et al (2007) who stated that the "Singh-Anderson model is invalid …" due to the "… failure to satisfy the principle of independence of effects", because the change of one of the variables used does not affect the perceived extent of transparency in any visible way. Recently, it has been confirmed that "transparency depends on the integration of luminance information rather than on the integration of lightness information" (Masin 2011).…”

Section: Models Of Transparency Perceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Transparency Perception in Architecture: Presentation of the Simplified Perforated Model

Brzezicki

2013

Perception

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Issues of transparency perception are addressed from an architectural perspective, pointing out previously neglected factors that greatly influence this phenomenon in the scale of a building. The simplified perforated model of a transparent surface presented in the paper has been based on previously developed theories and involves the balance of light reflected versus light transmitted. Its aim is to facilitate an understanding of non-intuitive phenomena related to transparency (eg dynamically changing reflectance) for readers without advanced knowledge of molecular physics. A verification of the presented model has been based on the comparison of optical performance of the model with the results of Fresnel's equations for light-transmitting materials. The presented methodology is intended to be used both in the design and explanatory stages of architectural practice and vision research. Incorporation of architectural issues could enrich the perspective of scientists representing other disciplines.

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Information integration study of Metelli's and Morinaga's theories of achromatic transparency

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Dynamic Perception of Transparency in Architecture: Mechanisms of the Proper Recognition of Light Permeable Surfaces

Dynamic Perception of Transparency in Architecture: Mechanisms of the Proper Recognition of Light Permeable Surfaces

Psychophysics and phenomenology of perceptual transparency.

Understanding Transparency Perception in Architecture: Presentation of the Simplified Perforated Model

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