Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!cs.uoregon.edu!ns.uoregon.edu!milton!hlab
From: isr@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Michael S. Schechter - ISR group account)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: Question about Harmonization of Computer/Eye Electronic Impulses
Message-ID: <1991Apr3.193043.13638@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 1 Apr 91 23:22:00 GMT
References: <5282@mindlink.UUCP>
Sender: hlab@milton.u.washington.edu (Human Int. Technology Lab)
Organization: Institute for Sensory Research
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Approved: cyberoid@milton.u.washington.edu



In article <5282@mindlink.UUCP> a1860@mindlink.UUCP (B.F. Painter) writes:
>research been undertaken to look directly into linking computer electric
>impulses with the eyes own electric impluses? or taking this further the body?
>Granted a translator would probably be required.

As far as I know, (I'm a computer engineer, not a neuroscientist, but i do
work for/with them, studying just that field), theres three layers of
biological processing before the signal hits the brain.

1. Sensor layer: retinal sensors pick up light signals, convert to
                 impulses

2. Retinal cross-stimulation: The retina cells "horizontally" excite and
                 inhibit each other to make a muddled picture of things

3. ???         : I don't know what this layer is called, but the retinal
                 neuron cells pass their signals on to the next layer which
                 then sorts 'em all out and passes signals into the optic
                 nerve to the brain.

At ISR, last year some people created a model of the 1st and 2nd layers of
a horshoe crab eye (only 1000 retina sensors). This used a quarter of a CM2.
Even this, i believe, didn't generate any of the pattern going towards the
brain, but it's from a lack of understanding, not CPU power.
The human eye has, i believe, 3 million sensor cells and is much more
interconnected than the horseshoe crab eye.
So we're a long way away....
But, deciphering sensory coding for both vision and audition IS
being worked on.
Mike the ex-lurker
-- 
InterNet:Mike_Schechter@isr.syr.edu  BITNET: SENSORY@SUNRISE