Neurocomputing publishes on subjects for understanding learning systems and neural networks. These include learning methods, self-organization, artificial intelligence, genetic algorithms, machine learning, cognitive science etc. A few areas where this is taken into consideration are image and signal processing, robotics and resource allocation.
Research article of choice: On the use of the auditory pathway to represent image scenes in real-time (G.Bologna, B.Deville, T.Pun 2009)
The article explores studies and theories in the possibilities to allocate a substitute for the visual sense
through the use of sonics for the visually impaired. The study is being performed and documented in
the research paper making it applied research. Past studies in similar fields are also
documented in the paper.
At the stage of the Introduction, the article lists reasons for the experiment in the form of earlier statistics and past experiments that have led to the inspiration of the idea behind the article. Past experiments and research on the field of vision substitution through technical solutions then continue through a timeline, again listing some research, toward the research described in the article. The walk in time through all research listed makes the argument for the paper very relevant.
The authors of the paper point out that as this is an experiment which doesn't really have any clear predecessors they are limited to more simple methods of carrying out this experiment. They have, thus, taken into consideration that the data they analyze is not complex and cannot therefore be regarded as an absolute truth but rather as guidelines and for further investigation.
The researchers use the HSL colour system to build the visual colour spectrum. They partly continue
an idea for earlier research and use it as an example.
They then proceed to introduce the technical device they've built to be tested throughout the
experiment more thoroughly. Since no earlier research on this exact topic has been presented yet, the
researchers have no "right answers" to check in order to establish wether the experiment is a success
or not. However, the experiments are quite obvious as they among other consist of testing wether blind
people can navigate in open spaces or fold socks in matching colour pairs using this auditory feedback
from the visual colours in the environment. The technical specifications of the device in use is quite
simple. Quite basically one sound represents one hue. As the hue changes the amplitude of that sound
diminishes as the amplitude of the sound represented by the next hue increases i.e. a mix of sounds for
a mix of colour hue. The sounds in question consist of orchestral instruments.
Luminance is also represented by different instruments for bright and dark and are present throughout
the whole spectrum.
The data does not serve as a final "conclusion" of this project, but rather lights up the way to further
investigation of this type of research. The interface used was quite simple and did not represent
complex environments in an accurate way, making the findings quite blurry but strengthening the
theories and idea behind. The reasons for keeping it simple has its benefits, as the data representation is
easier to handle and comprehend. The tools used for measuring and collecting data are, if limited, quite
accurate. The amount of people used for the different experiments is, however, a bit foggy. They do
list a table of people for each test, but fail to mention both background of the people and if it's the same
people that are included in each experiment. Further, they have only made observations on "blind
people" as if this was a collective group of individuals. The experiment does not have room to take into
consideration other factors, such as background, age, musical awareness and other attributes of the
subjects in question.
The main goal of the project was real-time navigation in unknown environments for the visually
impaired. The testing of colour sense through auditory feedback was mainly presented. As the colour
spectrum was limited to the HSL model and the auditory feedback was only translated through the data
measuring HSL, the experiments concentrated on finding one colour in a quite simple environment.
The conclusion was to test the navigational skills of the visually impaired. As human beings are
involved and in focus of learning, the cognitive aspects of sensory data processing also had to be taken
into consideration. I'm sure the conclusions apply to researchers in cognitive neuroscience as well as
to researchers interested in picking up where this project left off.
The signification of this research is quite large, as nothing of this sort has yet been in research. As this is a project still learning how to walk, there are several improvements to be made in order for it to dance. The beginning is promising, however, the lack of human-error factors such as the research behind who the subject in hand is, is a huge hole in the accuracy if not taken into consideration in future research.
I might not have done much differently but list qualities of people that are my test subjects- not for the research itself but rather for the analysis and interpretation of the data I acquire. The psychological association with sound can be defining based on what your background is, and will well define your actions.
In the future, when research in this area has advanced and become more smooth, accurate and complex, it will be of interest even to people outside the circle of the visually impaired. for example the military.
references:
Bologna, G. ; Deville, B. ; Pun, T.
Neurocomputing, 2009, Vol.72(4), pp.839-849
[Peer Reviewed Journal] 1. Briefly explain to a first year student what theory is, and what theory is not.
2. Describe the major theory or theories that are used in your selected paper. Which theory type (see Table 2 in Gregor) can the theory or theories be characterized as?
3. Which are the benefits and limitations of using the selected theory or theories?
1. There are several aspects of theory that come down to five types: Analysis, explanation, prediction, explaining and predicting and theory for design and action. Basically theory is a set of data interpreted as a base to support information or outcomes that we've established during our presentation of a case. These theories are formed from objective analysis, trial and error, mathematic calculations and predictions.
Theory is not a mere subjective opinion or conclusion of our personal experiences and/ or interpretations.
2. The theory types in the research paper consisted of: Analysis, Explanation, Design and Action. Indications of future scenarios and implications were left up to the reader to figure out, as the paper clearly stated the research was the first of its kind and therefore could not make complex predictions.
3. The benefits are a clear ground for building an article around. The analysis and explanation is important as the research was yet "one of its kind" and needed clarification to "why" and "what for". Earlier research was dictated to give the reader basic knowledge of understanding the purpose of the experiment better. The data provided was based on common models (HSL) and personal technology and algorithms. The basics for of design of the technology was given in the form of mathematical solutions, explanations, pictures and tables.
Failure to establish predictions about the implementation of the research leaves it hanging in the air as a bit of an enigma. Also it points out what the goal was and at the end if it was reached and therefore successful or if other doors opened and led the investigation into deeper waters- possibly in success as well. When this has been done, it's easier to pick up where the article left off and continue research knowing the relevance to the earlier research.
reference:
http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528971/scientific-theory
I remember that we discussed your paper briefly after the seminar this week. I found it interesting.
SvaraRaderaThough it seems to incoprorate some question marks and flaws, for instance, why did they use the sounds they chosen?
Was there any previous research on that?
And as you say, were the "blind" subjects from different other groups or just "blind" in general?
And like you say, it's basic research, and seems to be useful for futher research and then of development of assisting tools for the blind,
at least as a reference.