Abstract:
The human visual system is classified into three main
systems depending upon the closed loop feedback dynamicsthe
pupillary light reflex, the eyeball movements and the
lens accommodation dynamics. Further the eyeball movements
are subclassifisd into vsrsional and vergence eyeball
movements.
The visual system models are suggested using the sinusoidal
rssponse data as the gain and phase shift character
istics as a function of frequency. The gain curves corres
ponding to different input signal amplitudes and correspond
ingly the same phase shift characteristic lead us to analyse
the visual systems as the nonlinear models having an ampli
tude dependent nonlinear element.
This work of the thesis has used the several response
data for the different visual systems. The control system
techniques along with the computational techniques of system
synthesis are employed to develop the nonlinear and optimal
mathematical models of the visual systems. Bach nonlinear
model of the system is broadly divided into two components,
the controlling mechanism device and the controlled mechan
ism . The controlling mechanism device is invariably found
as a nonlinear element. Each nonlinear controlling device
is described mathematically using a bessel function series
-vitechnique.
The analysis of each complex nonlinear element
is psrformsd by decomposing it into several simple nonlinear
components. The controlled process reveals the character
istics of ths motor mechanism associated with each system.
In Chapter I, the qualitative aspects of physiology
and anatomy of the visual system are discussed. The visual
pathways and the oculomotor system are described.
Chapter II deals with the pupillary light reflex
dynamics. A nonlinear model of the system is suggested. The
neurological interpretations of the differ-nt components of
the model are pointed out. An adaptation element in the
retina is also observed. The motor mechanism as a third order
filter is derived out. The transportational time delay ele
ment is characterised by an exponential term. Different
fiber types are associated with the motor mechanism and their
time constants are studied.
In Chapter III, we have developed the statistical
optimal models of the pupillary light reflex dynamics taking
into account the pupillary noise also. The noise signal is
taken as introduced at the input signal level and the central
nervous system level respectively. The optimal models show
that the pupillary noise is added at the central nervous
system level to the system.
In Chapter IV, the versional eye movement dynamic
is modelled as the nonlinear saccadic and smooth pursuit
systems.
Different controlling mechanisms are observed.
A prediction controller is found in both the systems. The
neurological control aspects of the two models are discussed
and thus these neurologically distinct control systsms are
compared.
Chapter V covers the vergence sys movement dynamics.
The nonlinear modelB of the fusional and accommodative
vergence systems are developed depending on the kind of
stimuli. The neuro-physiological interpretations of the two
nonlinear models are carried out. The relationship between
the two vergence systems is discussed. Finally the versional
end vergence control dynamics are compared and their neuro
logical control aspects are pointed out.
Chapter VI deals with lens accommodation nonlinear
modelling and its neurophysiologies! control aspects. The
relationship between the lens accommodation and accommodative
vergence is studied.
Under the concluding remarks of Chapter VII, the
overall characterisation of the visual system is outlined.
Two interacted models of different visual systems are
developed. An integrated model of the eye movements is also
suggested. After concluding the thesis work, the scope of
the further work on the field is recommended.