CAREER: A New Statistical Framework for Natural Images with Applications in Vision

本项目研究自然图像统计及其在计算神经科学、图像处理、计算机视觉和图形学等多个领域的应用。该项目的核心是一种基于简单非线性变换的新图像表示，该变换在统计学上是合理的，并受到生物学的启发。这种表示提供了一种描述图像信号的新语言，并为建立统计模型以更有效地捕捉自然图像的统计特性奠定了基础。基于这种新的图像表示，本项目探索了新的范式来建模和解释视觉神经反应和高级感知特性，并为图像恢复，分析和合成提供了新的工具。另一方面，本项目将自然图像统计应用于数字图像的法医分析，方便法医从事刑事侦查工作，为国家安全和公共安全作出贡献。此外，该项目还有助于教育，使计算机科学的学习变得有趣和有用，促进妇女和本科生参与研究，并改善当地高中生的数学和科学的早期学习。

This project studies natural image statistics, and their applications in diverse fields such as computational neuroscience, image processing, computer vision, and graphics. The centerpiece of this project is a new image representation based on a simple nonlinear transform that is statistically justified and biologically inspired. This representation provides a new language to describe image signals, and forms the basis to build statistical models to more effectively capture statistical properties of natural image. Built upon this new image representation, this project explores new paradigms to model and interpret visual neural responses and high-level perceptual properties, and provides new tools for image restoration, analysis and synthesis. On the other hand, by applying natural image statistics to the forensic analysis of digital images, this project facilitates forensic practitioners in criminal investigations, and contributes to national security and public safety. Moreover, this project contributes to education by making the learning of Computer Science fun and useful for undergraduate students, promoting the participation of women and undergraduate students in research, and improving the early learning of mathematics and sciences for local high school students.