Visual attention model involving feature-based inhibition of return

Abstract

Visual attention tends to avoid locations where previous visual attention has once focused. This phenomenon is called inhibition of return (IOR), and is known as one of the important dynamic properties of visual attention. Recently, several studies have reported that IOR occurs not only on locations, but also on visual features. In this study, we propose a visual attention model that involves a featurebased IOR by extending a recent model of the “saliency map.” Our model is demonstrated by a computer simulation, and its neuronal basis is also discussed.