Visual perception of low quality images

There are several new applications where perception is required from low quality images. One such application are electronic visual prostheses, or "bionic eyes". These artificial vision systems involve electrical stimulation of nerve cells in the human visual system via implanted electrodes. In this paper we present results of our subjective tests based on simulating what might be seen by users of low quality vision systems. 225 normally sighted subjects viewed a set of low quality (low spatial resolution and low grey-scale) static images. We wished to quantify intelligibility/recognition for low quality images. Results from this testing form part of an image quality model to assess the usefulness of low quality images.