Integrating Spatial and Temporal Models of Visual Attention

人类视觉系统利用注意力来增强对生存至关重要的信息的处理。 例如，当在高速公路上驾驶时，道路中突然出现的碎片将导致视觉系统快速地朝向障碍物定向，以便允许避免。 注意力在空间和时间上都有方向性，它锁定对象的位置，也锁定对象变得可见的时刻。目前，还没有公认的理论来描述空间和时间因素如何在注意控制中相互作用。为了创建这样一个理论，Wyble博士将基于行为和EEG研究创建注意力空间和时间控制的计算模型。这个模型将模拟控制注意力的神经机制，从而使理论和神经科学更紧密地结合在一起。 从这项研究中获得的知识将提供一个更简单的注意力模型，将现有的理论从空间和时间域结合到一个单一的框架。这个框架将帮助我们理解为什么注意力会以这种方式工作，以及为什么注意力有时会失败。这项工作最终可能在许多领域得到应用，包括交通安全和盲人视觉假体。此外，这项工作将包括开发一个计算机编程教程，旨在增加传统STEM领域以外的学生的STEM培训。

The human visual system uses attention to enhance the processing of information that is important for survival. For example, while driving on a highway, the sudden appearance of debris in the road will cause the visual system to rapidly orient towards the obstacle in order to allow avoidance. Attention orients in both space and time; it locks on to the location of the object, and also to the moment the object becomes visible. Currently, there is no well-accepted theory to describe how spatial and temporal factors interact in the control of attention. In order to create such a theory, Dr. Wyble will create a computational model of the spatial and temporal control of attention based on behavioral and EEG studies. This model will simulate the neural mechanisms that control attention and will thereby lead to a tighter coupling of theory and neuroscience. The knowledge to be gained from this research will provide a simpler model of attention by combining existing theories from the spatial and temporal domains into a single framework. This framework will help us to understand why attention works in the way that it does, and also to understand why attention sometimes fails. The work may ultimately have applications in many areas, including transportation safety and visual prostheses for the blind. In addition, the work will include the development of a computer-programming tutorial aimed at increasing STEM training for students outside of traditional STEM fields.