Neural modeling of flow rendering effectiveness

ABSTRACT

It has been previously proposed that understanding the mechanisms of contour perception can provide a theory for why some flow rendering methods allow for better judgments of advection pathways than others. In the present paper we develop this theory through a numerical model of the primary visual cortex of the brain (Visual Area 1) where contour enhancement is understood to occur according to most neurological theories. We apply a two-stage model of contour perception to various visual representations of flow fields evaluated by Laidlaw et al [2001]. In the first stage, contour enhancement is modeled based on Li's [1998] cortical model. In the second stage, a model of contour integration is proposed designed to support the task of advection path tracing. The model yields insights into the relative strengths of different flow visualization methods for the task of visualizing advection pathways.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems

Keywords:
contour perception, flow visualization, perceptual theory, visual cortex, visualization