Abstract

A principle of color image processing by the visual system is presented which accounts for both color constancy and chromatic induction. The principle proposes that color constancy and chromatic induction are mediated by the removal of a signal common to all subfields of a scene. Color constancy results because most of the common signal is due to the illuminant. Chromatic induction results because part of the common signal is due to the similarity in reflectances. A model of visual color image processing is presented which incorporates the common signal principle and accounts for color constancy and chromatic induction. A major difference from earlier models of color constancy is that the present model does not require the separation of the incoming signal into an illuminant and reflectance. The model is tested with data collected from experiments which quantified color constancy and chromatic induction. The possible physiological correlate of the model suggests that the operations involved in removing the common signal can be implemented by the retina.

© 1988 Optical Society of America