Do we see a larger pattern better than a smaller one? Not always!
Do we see two identical sized patterns twice as good as one such pattern?
Seldomly.
The logic behind the spatial pattern summation is very simple: If one plus one does not equal two then there must be some transforms that occur. The technique of spatial pattern summation is to investigate how visual system sums spatial modulation information across space. If we systematically control the pattern parameters in the summation, the spatial pattern summation can provide much information of the visual system that behind the summation.
Related Publications
1. Chen, C. C. & Tyler, C. W. (1999). Spatial pattern summation is phase-insensitive in the fovea but not in the periphery. Spatial Vision (in press).
2. Chen, C. C. & Tyler, (1999). Evidence for elongated receptive mechanisms subserving stereopsis. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. Investigative Ophthalmology & Vision Science (suppl.), 40, (Abs.# 2212).
3. Chen, C. C. & Tyler, C. W. (1998). Best elongated pattern detection mechanisms are phase insensitive. Investigative Ophthalmology & Vision Science (suppl.), 39, 860.
4. Tyler, C. W. & Chen, C. C. (1999). Signal Detection Theory in the 2AFC Paradigm: Attention, Channel Uncertainty and Probability Summation. Vision Research (under review).