Biologically accurate cat vision filter for neuroscience and visual perception research
Project description
CatVision - Biologically Accurate Cat Vision Filter
A Python package that replicates the biologically accurate vision of cats based on peer-reviewed research on feline retinal structure and visual characteristics.
Features
Biologically Accurate Cat Vision Simulation
- ๐ต Spectral Sensitivity: Dichromatic vision with S-cone (450nm) and L-cone (556nm) peaks
- ๐๏ธ Vertical Slit Pupil: 3:1 aspect ratio for enhanced depth of field
- ๐ Rod-Dominated Vision: 25:1 rod/cone ratio for superior night vision
- โจ Tapetum Lucidum: 30% light reflection enhancement for low-light conditions
- ๐ Reduced Spatial Acuity: 1/6 human acuity (3 vs 18 cycles per degree)
- ๐ฌ Enhanced Temporal Processing: 55Hz flicker fusion threshold
- ๐ Motion Detection: 1.8x human sensitivity with horizontal bias
- ๐ Wide Field of View: 200ยฐ horizontal ร 140ยฐ vertical
Installation
From PyPI
pip install catvision
From Source
git clone https://github.com/aryashah2k/catvision.git
cd catvision
pip install -e .
Development Installation
pip install -e ".[dev]"
Quick Start
from catvision import CatVisionFilter
import cv2
# Initialize the filter
cat_filter = CatVisionFilter()
# Load an image
image = cv2.imread('input.jpg')
# Apply cat vision transformation
result = cat_filter.apply_cat_vision(image, use_biological_accuracy=True)
# Save the result
cv2.imwrite('cat_vision_output.jpg', result)
Usage Examples
Basic Image Processing
from catvision import CatVisionFilter
import cv2
# Create filter instance
cat_filter = CatVisionFilter()
# Process single image
image = cv2.imread('photo.jpg')
cat_view = cat_filter.apply_cat_vision(image)
cv2.imwrite('cat_perspective.jpg', cat_view)
Video Processing
from catvision import CatVisionFilter
import cv2
cat_filter = CatVisionFilter()
# Process video sequence
frames = [] # Your video frames
processed_frames = cat_filter.apply_cat_vision_to_sequence(
frames,
fps=30,
use_biological_accuracy=True
)
Biological Validation
from catvision import CatVisionFilter
cat_filter = CatVisionFilter()
# Validate against biological data
test_images = [...] # Your test images
validation = cat_filter.validate_biological_accuracy(test_images)
print(f"Overall Accuracy: {validation['overall_accuracy_score']:.2%}")
print(f"Spectral Sensitivity: {validation['spectral_sensitivity_validation']:.2%}")
print(f"Spatial Acuity: {validation['spatial_acuity_validation']:.2%}")
Visualizations
from catvision import CatVisionFilter
cat_filter = CatVisionFilter()
# Generate spectral sensitivity curves
cat_filter.plot_spectral_sensitivity_curves(save_path='spectral_curves.png')
# Visualize spatial acuity map
cat_filter.visualize_spatial_acuity_map(
image_size=(480, 640),
save_path='acuity_map.png'
)
# Show temporal frequency response
cat_filter.demonstrate_temporal_frequency_response(save_path='temporal_response.png')
Biological Parameters
All parameters are based on peer-reviewed research:
| Parameter | Value | Human Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Pupil Shape | 3:1 vertical slit | Circular |
| Rod/Cone Ratio | 25:1 | 20:1 |
| S-cone Peak | 450nm (blue) | 420nm |
| L-cone Peak | 556nm (green-yellow) | 534nm (M), 564nm (L) |
| Rod Peak | 498nm (blue-green) | 498nm |
| Spatial Acuity | 3 cpd | ~18 cpd |
| Flicker Fusion | 55 Hz | ~24 Hz |
| Field of View | 200ยฐร140ยฐ | 180ยฐร135ยฐ |
| Tapetum Reflectance | 30% enhancement | None |
Architecture
The package uses a modular mixin architecture:
CatVisionFilter
โโโ SpectralMixin (spectral.py)
โ โโโ Spectral sensitivity curves
โ โโโ Color perception adjustments
โโโ SpatialMixin (spatial.py)
โ โโโ Pupil kernel (vertical slit)
โ โโโ Spatial acuity reduction
โ โโโ Field of view transformation
โโโ TemporalMixin (temporal.py)
โ โโโ Temporal frequency processing
โ โโโ Flicker fusion modeling
โโโ MotionMixin (motion.py)
โ โโโ Optical flow (Lucas-Kanade/Farneback)
โ โโโ Motion enhancement
โ โโโ Directional sensitivity
โโโ LowlightMixin (lowlight.py)
โ โโโ Tapetum lucidum effect
โ โโโ Rod dominance simulation
โโโ VisualizationMixin (visualization.py)
โ โโโ Scientific visualizations
โโโ ValidationMixin (validation.py)
โโโ Biological accuracy validation
API Reference
Core Class
CatVisionFilter()
Main filter class that combines all cat vision characteristics.
Methods:
apply_cat_vision(image, previous_frame=None, kernel_size=15, use_biological_accuracy=True)- Apply complete cat vision pipelineapply_cat_vision_to_sequence(frame_sequence, fps=30, use_biological_accuracy=True)- Process video sequenceget_filter_parameters()- Get current biological parameterssave_parameters(filepath)- Save parameters to JSON filevalidate_biological_accuracy(test_images, ground_truth_data=None)- Validate filter accuracy
Visualization Methods:
plot_spectral_sensitivity_curves(save_path=None)- Plot photoreceptor spectral curvesvisualize_spatial_acuity_map(image_size, save_path=None)- Show acuity distributiondemonstrate_temporal_frequency_response(save_path=None)- Display temporal sensitivityvisualize_pupil_kernel(kernel_size=15, save_path=None)- Show pupil convolution kernel
Examples
The package includes comprehensive examples in the examples/ directory:
basic_usage.py- Simple image processingvideo_processing.py- Video sequence processingbiological_validation.py- Accuracy validationvisualizations.py- Generate all visualizations
Run examples:
python examples/basic_usage.py
python examples/biological_validation.py
python examples/visualizations.py
Testing
Run the test suite:
# Run all tests
pytest tests/
# Run with coverage
pytest tests/ --cov=catvision --cov-report=term-missing
# Run specific test module
pytest tests/test_spectral.py -v
Scientific Background
This implementation is based on published research on cat vision:
Key References
- Spectral Sensitivity: Loop et al. (1987) - "Spectral characteristics of cat retinal ganglion cells"
- Spatial Acuity: Blake (1979) - "The visual acuity of the cat"
- Temporal Processing: Pasternak & Merigan (1981) - "The luminance dependence of spatial vision in the cat"
- Motion Detection: Orban et al. (1986) - "Velocity selectivity in the cat visual system"
- Tapetum Lucidum: Ollivier et al. (2004) - "Retinal structure and light intensification"
Biological Accuracy
The filter achieves high biological accuracy through:
- Direct implementation of measured spectral sensitivity curves
- Frequency-domain spatial filtering based on contrast sensitivity functions
- Temporal processing matching measured flicker fusion thresholds
- Motion detection calibrated to behavioral measurements
Performance
- Single Image (640ร480): ~100ms (biological mode)
- Video Frame (1080p): ~200ms per frame
- Memory Usage: <500MB for typical workloads
Requirements
- Python 3.8+
- opencv-python-headless >= 4.8.0
- numpy >= 1.24.0
- scipy >= 1.10.0
- matplotlib >= 3.7.0
- Pillow >= 10.0.0
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please fork the Repository, create a feature branch, and submit a pull request!
Development Setup
git clone https://github.com/aryashah2k/catvision.git
cd catvision
pip install -e ".[dev]"
pytest tests/
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
Citation
If you use this package in your research, please cite:
@software{catvision2025,
title={CatVision: Biologically Accurate Cat Vision Filter},
author={Arya Shah and Vaibhav Tripathi},
year={2025},
url={https://github.com/aryashah2k/catvision}
}
Acknowledgments
- Based on decades of cat vision research by neuroscientists worldwide
- Inspired by the need for accurate animal vision simulation in research
- Built with modern Python best practices and scientific computing tools
Contact
- Issues: GitHub Issues
- Email: {arya[dot]shah, vaibhav[dot]tripathi}[at]iitgn[dot]ac[dot]in
Note: This package is designed for scientific and educational purposes. For neuroscience research applications, please validate results against your specific requirements.
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