An Essay on the Primate Retina,
Abstract
A review of the known physiology, anatomy, histology, and psychophysics of the retina is given. Land's retinex theory of colour vision is summarized. It is proposed that one function of the retina is to compute lightness using a two-dimensional parallel algorithm. There are three stages: (1) a centre-surround difference operation; (2) a threshold applied to the difference signal; (3) the inverse of (1), whose output is lightness. The operation of the midget bipolar - midget ganglion channel is analysed in detail, and a functional interpretation of various retinal structures is given. Requirements of the theory are stated concerning the arrangement and connexions of cells, and the signs of the synapses, in the inner plexiform layer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA003482
Entities
People
- David Marr
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology