Ethan D. Montag

Psychophysical evaluation of gamut mapping techniques using simple rendered images and artificial gamut boundaries

Using a paired comparison paradigm, various gamut mapping algorithms were evaluated using simple rendered images and artificial gamut boundaries. The test images consisted of simple rendered spheres floating in front of a gray background. Using CIELAB as our device-independent color space, cut-off values for lightness and chroma, based on the statistics of the images, were chosen to reduce the gamuts for the test images. The gamut mapping algorithms consisted of combinations of clipping and mapping the original gamut in linear piecewise segments. Complete color space compression in RGB and CIELAB was also tested. Each of the colored originals (R,G,B,C,M,Y, and Skin) were mapped separately in lightness and chroma. In addition, each algorithm was implemented with saturation (C(*)/L(*)) allowed to vary or retain the same values as in the original image. Pairs of test images with reduced color gamuts were presented to twenty subjects along with the original image. For each pair the subjects chose the test image that better reproduced the original. Rank orders and interval scales of algorithm performance with confidence limits were then derived. Clipping all out-of-gamut colors was the best method for mapping chroma. For lightness mapping at low lightness levels and high lightness levels particular gamut mapping algorithms consistently produced images chosen as most like the original. The choice of device-independent color space may also influence which gamut mapping algorithms are best.

Empirical formula for creating error bars for the method of paired comparison

The method of paired comparison based on Thurstones case V of his law of comparative judgments is often used as a psy- chophysical method to derive interval scales of perceptual qualities in imaging applications. However, methods for determining confi- dence intervals and critical distances for significant differences have been elusive, leading some to abandon the simple analysis provided by Thurstones formulation. Monte Carlo simulations of paired com- parison experiments were performed in order to derive an empirical formula for determining error. The results show that the variation in the distribution of experimental results can be well predicted as a function of stimulus number and the number of observations. Using these results, confidence intervals and critical values for compari- sons can be made using traditional statistical methods.

Spatio-Velocity CSF as a Function of Retinal Velocity Using Unstabilized Stimuli

LCD televisions have LC response times and hold-type data cycles that contribute to the appearance of blur when objects are in motion on the screen. New algorithms based on studies of the human visual systems sensitivity to motion are being developed to compensate for these artifacts. This paper describes a series of experiments that incorporate eyetracking in the psychophysical determination of spatio-velocity contrast sensitivity in order to build on the 2D spatiovelocity contrast sensitivity function (CSF) model first described by Kelly and later refined by Daly. We explore whether the velocity of the eye has an additional effect on sensitivity and whether the model can be used to predict sensitivity to more complex stimuli. There were a total of five experiments performed in this research. The first four experiments utilized Gabor patterns with three different spatial and temporal frequencies and were used to investigate and/or populate the 2D spatio-velocity CSF. The fifth experiment utilized a disembodied edge and was used to validate the model. All experiments used a two interval forced choice (2IFC) method of constant stimuli guided by a QUEST routine to determine thresholds. The results showed that sensitivity to motion was determined by the retinal velocity produced by the Gabor patterns regardless of the type of motion of the eye. Based on the results of these experiments the parameters for the spatio-velocity CSF model were optimized to our experimental conditions.

Rod influence in dichromatic surface color perception

Two protanopes, two deuteranopes, and two normal subjects named 424 OSA Uniform Color Scales samples using single-word color terms of their choice under three different experimental conditions. When viewing a stimulus field subtending about 4 deg, the performance of the dichromats revealed a substantial ability to discriminate colors along the red-green axis. When the stimuli were limited to the central fovea, or when rods were excluded with a bleach, dichromats could no longer categorize colors in the red-green dimension. The different conditions did not affect the performance of the normals. The results suggest that rods contribute signals used by dichromats, along with lightness cues, to help discriminate and categorize surface colors.

Spectrally opponent inputs to the human luminance pathway: slow +M and −L cone inputs revealed by intense long‐wavelength adaptation

The nature of the inputs to achromatic luminance flicker perception was explored psychophysically by measuring middle‐ (M‐) and long‐wavelength‐sensitive (L‐) cone modulation sensitivities, M‐ and L‐cone phase delays, and spectral sensitivities as a function of temporal frequency. Under intense long‐wavelength adaptation, the existence of multiple luminance inputs was revealed by substantial frequency‐dependent changes in all three types of measure. Fast (f) and slow (s) M‐cone input signals of the same polarity (+sM and +fM) sum at low frequencies, but then destructively interfere near 16 Hz because of the delay between them. In contrast, fast and slow L‐cone input signals of opposite polarity (−sL and +fL) cancel at low frequencies, but then constructively interfere near 16 Hz. Although these slow, spectrally opponent luminance inputs (+sM and −sL) would usually be characterized as chromatic, and the fast, non‐opponent inputs (+fM and +fL) as achromatic, both contribute to flicker photometric nulls without producing visible colour variation. Although its output produces an achromatic percept, the luminance channel has slow, spectrally opponent inputs in addition to the expected non‐opponent ones. Consequently, it is not possible in general to silence this channel with pairs of ‘equiluminant’ alternating stimuli, since stimuli equated for the non‐opponent luminance mechanism (+fM and +fL) may still generate spectrally opponent signals (+sM and +sL).

Lightness Dependencies and the Effect of Texture on Suprathreshold Lightness Tolerances

A psychophysical experiment was performed to determine the effects of lightness dependency on suprathreshold lightness tolerances. Using a pass/fail method of constant stimuli, lightness tolerance thresholds were measured using achromatic stimuli centered at CIELAB L* = 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 90 using 44 observers. In addition to measuring tolerance thresholds for uniform samples, lightness tolerances were measured using stimuli with a simulated texture of thread wound on a card. A texture intermediate between the wound thread and the uniform stimuli was also used. A computer-controlled CRT was used to perform the experiments. Lightness tolerances were found to increase with increasing lightness of the test stimuli. For the uniform stimuli this effect was only evident at the higher lightnesses. For the textured stimuli, this trend was more evident throughout the whole lightness range. Texture had an effect of increasing the tolerance thresholds by a factor of almost 2 as compared to the uniform stimuli. The intermediate texture had tolerance thresholds that were between those of the uniform and full-textured stimuli. Transforming the results into a plot of threshold vs. intensity produced results that were more uniform across the three conditions. This may indicate that CIELAB is not the best space in which to model these effects.

VISUAL DETERMINATION OF HUE SUPRATHRESHOLD COLOR-DIFFERENCE TOLERANCES USING CRT-GENERATED STIMULI

Suprathreshold hue color-difference tolerances were measured at four color centers using CRT-generated stimuli. The tolerances, defined using CIELAB, were measured using two different methods of presentation. In the Absolute Experiment, the stimuli were presented at luminance levels that matched those of the previous object-color experiments, so that the CRT stimuli were nearly metameric to the originals. In the Relative Experiment, the white point of the monitor was defined as L* = 100 at a corresponding chromaticity to the object-color viewing environment, but at a lower luminance level. The results from these two experiments followed the same general trends; however, they were significantly different from each other for three of the four color centers. The same trends were seen in the object-color results, although neither CRT experimental condition produced tolerances that were conclusively more similar to the object-color results than the other. The feasibility of the use of the CRT has been demonstrated. It is likely that parametric effects of stimulus presentation are the cause of the differences in results among the different experiments, as opposed to differences in the mode of appearance. These parametric effects can be studied more quickly and economically using a computer-controlled CRT display.

Louis Leon Thurstone in Monte Carlo: creating error bars for the method of paired comparison

The method of paired comparison is often used in experiments where perceptual scale values for a collection of stimuli are desired, such as in experiments analyzing image quality. Thurstones Case V of his Law of Comparative Judgments is often used as the basis for analyzing data produced in paired comparison experiments. However, methods for determining confidence intervals and critical distances for significant differences based on Thurstones Law have been elusive leading some to abandon the simple analysis provided by Thurstones formulation. In order to provide insight into this problem of determining error, Monte Carlo simulations of paired comparison experiments were performed based on the assumptions of uniformly normal, independent, and uncorrelated responses from stimulus pair presentations. The results from these multiple simulations show that the variation in the distribution of experimental results of paired comparison experiments can be well predicted as a function of stimulus number and the number of observations. Using these results, confidence intervals and critical values for comparisons can be made using traditional statistical methods. In addition the results from simulations can be used to analyze goodness-of-fit techniques.

Techniques for Fusion of Multimodal Images: Application to Breast Imaging

In many situations it is desirable and advantageous to acquire medical images in more than one modality. For example positron emission tomography can be used to acquire functional data while magnetic resonance imaging can be used to acquire morphological data. In some situations a side by side comparison of the images provides enough information, but in other situations it may be considered a necessity to have the exact spatial relationship between the modalities presented to the observer. In order to accomplish this, the images need to first be registered and then combined (fused) to create a single image. In this paper we discuss the options for performing such fusion in the context of multimodal breast imaging.

Influence of boundary information on the perception of color

The integration of color and form to produce a unified percept is a central problem in vision research. We know that the spatial arrangement of colored stimuli influences their detectability. In the gap effect, for example, a small gap between two colored fields enhances their discriminability [Opt. Acta 24, 159 (1977)]. Chromatic thresholds are also reduced when test fields are spatially demarcated. To explore the mechanisms underlying these types of effect, the influence of spatial structure on chromatic sensitivity for gratings was measured. For sine-wave and square-wave gratings modulated in different directions in color space, contrast sensitivity was measured by using a two-alternative forced-choice procedure with a QUEST staircase. Thin lines, of the same orientation as that of the grating, were superimposed on it at half-cycle intervals. The phase of the superimposed lines was varied. For S-cone modulated gratings, dark lines placed at the midpoints between peaks and troughs (90 degrees) increased sensitivity. As the phase of the lines moved toward the peaks (0 degree), their effect on sensitivity declined to zero. A similar but smaller effect was seen for isoluminant L- and M-cone modulated gratings. The superimposed lines always impaired contrast sensitivity for achromatic gratings, especially at a phase of 0 degree. Spatial structure superimposed on gratings can both facilitate and impair contrast sensitivity. In the presence of sharp boundaries, chromatic sensitivity is increased. This effect may depend more on the salience of boundaries, since isoluminant lines superimposed on S-cone modulated gratings and gray lines of similar cone contrast can facilitate detection if they are of sufficient contrast. Achromatic contrast sensitivity is reduced when the boundaries are present. The additional luminance information at the boundaries masks the grating. A simple model in which spatial integration is arrested at the positions of the superimposed lines fits only the isoluminant conditions. For both luminance and chromatic contrast the change in sensitivity depends on phase.