Yes / Materials’ surfaces change over time due to chemical and physical processes. These processes can significantly alter a material’s visual appearance, yet we can recognise the material as the same. The present study examined the extent of changes the human visual system can detect in specific materials over time. Participants (N = 5) were shown images of different materials (Banana, Copper, Leaf) from an existing calibrated set of photographs. Participants indicated which image pair (of the 2 pairs shown) displayed the largest difference. Estimated perceptual scales showed that observers were able to rank the images of aged materials systematically. Next, we examined the role that global and local changes in material surface colour play in the perception of material change. We altered the information about colour and geometrical distribution in the images used in the first experiment, and participants repeated the task with the altered images. Our results showed significant differences between individual observers. Most importantly, participants’ ability to rank the images varied with material type. The leaf images were particularly affected by our alteration of the geometrical distribution. Together, our findings show the factors contributing to the perception of material change over time. / This work was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme [Grant Agreement No 765121].

Os requisitos técnicos da qualidade da imagem em mamografia estabelecidos por normas nacionais e internacionais incluem parâmetros de qualidade que podem ser avaliados através da realização de testes periódicos. Estes parâmetros podem ser medidos com a aquisição e leitura de imagens de objetos (phantoms) que simulam as estruturas presentes em uma mamografia. O phantom CDMAM foi confeccionado especificamente para a realização de testes que utilizam um procedimento padrão para se determinar um limiar de contraste para cada diâmetro de disco presentes em suas imagens. No entanto, esta tarefa é bastante trabalhosa e consome tempo, além de estar sujeita a uma significativa dependência do observador, diminuindo a precisão das aferições. Nesse sentido, o propósito deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento de um software que auxilie o profissional na realização dos testes, reduzindo a subjetividade devida aos observadores e correlacionando as leituras automatizadas com o sistema visual humano, sem a necessidade de se efetuar a correção dos resultados, como é realizado em diversos trabalhos encontrados na literatura. Para isso, foram utilizadas imagens obtidas por cinco sistemas CR e um método de detecção baseado na confecção de filtros circulares correlatores. A correlação com a visão humana fundamentou-se nos parâmetros de Weber, que descrevem o comportamento do sistema visual na discriminação do contraste em imagens digitais. A classificação dos discos contidos na imagem do phantom entre visível ou não visível foi efetuada a partir de uma ferramenta de mineração de dados conhecida como WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) associada ao algoritmo J48, que promove a construção de modelos de árvore de decisão. O resultado da implementação destas árvores de decisão foi a obtenção de um sistema de auxílio ao especialista que reforça a sua integridade na avaliação a partir de resultados estáveis e de fácil interpretação, atingindo acurácias de até 95%. / Technical requirements of image quality in mammography established by national and international norms include quality parameters which can be achieved by conducting periodic tests. It is recommended that some quality parameters are measured from images acquired by exposing specific phantoms, as CDMAM, in such systems. Nevertheless, this task is hard-working and time consuming, besides to be subject to a significant dependence of the observer, reducing the measurements accuracy. Accordingly, the purpose of this work is the development of a software to assist in the professional testing, reducing the subjectivity due to the observers and correlating the automated readings with the human visual system, without the need to make the correction of the results, as is done in many studies in the literature. For this, we used 57 images obtained for five CR systems and a method of detection based on circular correlators filters. The correlation with human vision was based on the Weber\'s parameters which describe the behavior of the visual system to discriminate the contrast in digital images. The classification of the image discs between visible or not visible was made from a data mining tool known as WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) associated with the J48 algorithm which promotes the construction of decision tree models. The result of the decision trees implementation was a system to aid the specialist, reinforcing the integrity of the assessment using stable results, easily interpreted, and reaching accuracies of up to 95%.

Os requisitos técnicos da qualidade da imagem em mamografia estabelecidos por normas nacionais e internacionais incluem parâmetros de qualidade que podem ser avaliados através da realização de testes periódicos. Estes parâmetros podem ser medidos com a aquisição e leitura de imagens de objetos (phantoms) que simulam as estruturas presentes em uma mamografia. O phantom CDMAM foi confeccionado especificamente para a realização de testes que utilizam um procedimento padrão para se determinar um limiar de contraste para cada diâmetro de disco presentes em suas imagens. No entanto, esta tarefa é bastante trabalhosa e consome tempo, além de estar sujeita a uma significativa dependência do observador, diminuindo a precisão das aferições. Nesse sentido, o propósito deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento de um software que auxilie o profissional na realização dos testes, reduzindo a subjetividade devida aos observadores e correlacionando as leituras automatizadas com o sistema visual humano, sem a necessidade de se efetuar a correção dos resultados, como é realizado em diversos trabalhos encontrados na literatura. Para isso, foram utilizadas imagens obtidas por cinco sistemas CR e um método de detecção baseado na confecção de filtros circulares correlatores. A correlação com a visão humana fundamentou-se nos parâmetros de Weber, que descrevem o comportamento do sistema visual na discriminação do contraste em imagens digitais. A classificação dos discos contidos na imagem do phantom entre visível ou não visível foi efetuada a partir de uma ferramenta de mineração de dados conhecida como WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) associada ao algoritmo J48, que promove a construção de modelos de árvore de decisão. O resultado da implementação destas árvores de decisão foi a obtenção de um sistema de auxílio ao especialista que reforça a sua integridade na avaliação a partir de resultados estáveis e de fácil interpretação, atingindo acurácias de até 95%. / Technical requirements of image quality in mammography established by national and international norms include quality parameters which can be achieved by conducting periodic tests. It is recommended that some quality parameters are measured from images acquired by exposing specific phantoms, as CDMAM, in such systems. Nevertheless, this task is hard-working and time consuming, besides to be subject to a significant dependence of the observer, reducing the measurements accuracy. Accordingly, the purpose of this work is the development of a software to assist in the professional testing, reducing the subjectivity due to the observers and correlating the automated readings with the human visual system, without the need to make the correction of the results, as is done in many studies in the literature. For this, we used 57 images obtained for five CR systems and a method of detection based on circular correlators filters. The correlation with human vision was based on the Weber\'s parameters which describe the behavior of the visual system to discriminate the contrast in digital images. The classification of the image discs between visible or not visible was made from a data mining tool known as WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) associated with the J48 algorithm which promotes the construction of decision tree models. The result of the decision trees implementation was a system to aid the specialist, reinforcing the integrity of the assessment using stable results, easily interpreted, and reaching accuracies of up to 95%.

La simulation de matériaux physico-réalistes est un processus demandant beaucoup de calcul. Les images de synthèse étant destinées aux observateurs humains, nous pouvons utiliser les limitations de notre système visuel pour simplifier le modèle de rendu, en évitant le calcul d’information invisible. Cela s’appelle le réalisme perceptif. Nous nous intéressons à la simulation de peintures d’automobiles, en particulière aux peintures scintillantes à paillettes métalliques. Nous essayons d’améliorer le réalisme perceptif de deux manières : en utilisant de la visualisation stéréoscopique pour apporter de l’information de profondeur additionnelle à partir de la disparité binoculaire ; et en conservant autant d‘information perceptive de la luminance originale que possible. La gamme dynamique illimitée d’une scène réelle est réduite lorsqu’une image est traitée dans des dispositifs à une gamme dynamique plus basse dans la chaîne d’acquisition et de visualisation. Pour assurer un réalisme perceptive, nous proposons une méthodologie reposant sur la caractérisation des dispositifs, l’acquisition d’information radiométrique, et des validations visuo-perceptives. En remplaçant l’œil humain par un appareil photo numérique, en tant qu’intégrateur tristimulaire d’information radiométrique, nous réalisons des comparaisons visuelles entre des échantillons réels et des photographies pour estimer la valeur d’exposition qui maximise le réalisme perceptif dans un environnement d’observation contrôlé. Ces résultats sont ensuite contrastés avec plusieurs méthodes de reproduction tonale, afin d’analyser les effets perceptifs de certains attributs d’image tels que l’exposition, la gamme dynamique, la brillance, et le contraste. Nous proposons également une méthodologie complète pour simuler des scènes réelles qui soient comparables, d’un point vue radiométrique et colorimétrique, aux photographies de la même scène. En assurant des images simulées correctes, cette méthodologie établie les bases face à une future intégration de nos observations dans le moteur de rendu. / The simulation of physico-realistic materials is a process that requires a lot of computation. Since the images are meant to be seen by human observers, we can use the limitations of their visual system to simplify the rendering model, avoiding redundant information that will not be seen. This is known as perceptual realism. Focusing on the simulation of automobile paint coatings, with special attention to metallic-flaked coatings with a sparkling appearance, we try to improve perceptual realism in two ways: using stereoscopic visualization, to provide additional depth information from binocular disparity; and preserving as much of the original perceptual luminance information as possible. The unlimited luminance levels, or dynamic range, of a real scene must be reduced as an image is processed by lower-dynamic range media throughout the acquisition and visualization chain. To ensure perceptual accuracy throughout this process, we propose a methodology consisting on device characterization, radiometric acquisition, and visuo-perceptual validations. Replacing the human eye by a DSLR camera, as a trichromatic color integrator of radiometric information, we perform visual comparisons of real samples and photographs to estimate the image exposure that maximizes perceptual accuracy under a controlled observation environment. These results are then contrasted with different tone reproduction methods, in order to analyze the effects on texture perception of specific image attributes like exposure, dynamic range, brightness, and contrast. We also propose a full methodology to produce simulations of a real scene, which are radiometrically and colorimetrically comparable to photographs of the same scene. By ensuring that the simulation produces correct images, this methodology lays the foundations for a future integration of our observations into the rendering engine.