CONTENTS OF THE OVERALL WORK
The overall Theory found in PROCESSES IN BIOLOGICAL VISION defines four distinct
stages in the visual process,
1. Signal Generation
2. Signal Manipulation (in the retina)
3. Signal Projection
4. Signal Manipulation and Perception (in the cortex)
Each of these stages depends on an understanding of the operation of the neuron
in order to understand the operation of that stage of vision.
In addition, there is an overlay that involves several of these stages
and is critical to the visual system. This overlay forms the closed loop
servomechanism that generates the signal known as tremor. This tremor
converts the basic visual system from a change detector (as in many lower animals)
to an imager (as found in man and many higher animals).
The functional operation of the neural system is key to the understanding of
the signal handling capability of each of these stages.
The Theory introduces a number of concepts that are well developed in other
scientific disciplines but have not previously been recognized in the field
of vision. The result is a completely new theoretical foundation of both the
neural system and the process of vision in all animals. The Theory shows that
the neural process is completely
electrolytic in character and highly dependent on the properties of liquid
crystalline materials. It also develops the detailed signaling properties of
the various neurons and shows the
specific role of the glutamates is that of an electrostenolytic power source
unrelated to the signaling function.
Based on these new concepts, the Theory is illustrated via a series of
comprehensive block, schematic and circuit diagrams. Two parallel signal
paths that extend from the cornea of the eye to the perceptual region of the
cortex are diagramed in detail. In a specific case, the complete signal
path is diagramed, down to the specific circuit level. This path is along the afferent
neural path from the cornea to the midbrain and then back to the
oculomotor muscles of the eye along the efferent neural path. It is shown that
this path (mentioned above) constitutes a complete loop of a servomechanism system.
The Theory and models together provide details of the operation of the
visual system of animals not discussed elsewhere in the literature. The
presentation of the Main Theory is grouped into five parts:
and a set of APPENDICES. These appendices contain
short
technical vignettes (such as on color constancy),
longer studies (such as the visual architecture of Limulus), and a
series of suggested thesis topics for upper level students.
A Synopsis of the overall work is also available.
The Synopsis, by its nature, is not able to defend the positions taken. This is
done exhaustively in the main text.
A Preface is also provided. It attempts to codify
some of the conceptual and philosophical considerations leading to this work.
A new expanded tabulation of the Characteristics
of the Standardized Human Eye and the Characteristics
of the Fundamental Neuron are also presented. Finally,
a new set of graphs describing the overall performance
of the Human Eye are also presented.
MISCELLANEOUS
Where possible, terminology consistent with earlier investigators is
preserved. However, in many cases, previously held concepts and hypotheses
are discarded in favor of new more precise concepts. In other cases, the
old concepts are shown to be more limited in their applicability than
previously suggested. A large GLOSSARY is provided summarizing the
terminology used in this work and the field of vision.
Numbers in square brackets appearing on this site are references to the
paragraphs of the book, "Processes in Animal Vision". As individual
Chapters of the book "PROCESSES IN ANIMAL VISION" become editorially
acceptable, they are made available here as Portable
Document Files (.pdf)
Most other theories of vision, including many of the less comprehensive
ones, are reviewed in Chapter 19 of the above material. To minimize controversy,
This Chapter is available from the Author upon request.
The author would appreciate any editorial comments, questions or
clarifications from interested readers prior to the formal publication of
the book. Such comments can be provided using the attached FORM.
The entire work is copyrighted and includes trademarked terms. For
permission to reproduce parts of this work, and other information, please see the
CITATIONS page.
