Title: Human Eye Visual Hyperacuity: A New Paradigm for Sensing?,
Abstract: The human eye appears to be using a low number of sensors for image
capturing. Furthermore, regarding the physical dimensions of
cones-photoreceptors responsible for the sharp central vision-, we may realize
that these sensors are of a relatively small size and area. Nonetheless, the
eye is capable to obtain high resolution images due to visual hyperacuity and
presents an impressive sensitivity and dynamic range when set against
conventional digital cameras of similar characteristics. This article is based
on the hypothesis that the human eye may be benefiting from diffraction to
improve both image resolution and acquisition process. The developed method
intends to explain and simulate using MATLAB software the visual hyperacuity:
the introduction of a controlled diffraction pattern at an initial stage,
enables the use of a reduced number of sensors for capturing the image and
makes possible a subsequent processing to improve the final image resolution.
The results have been compared with the outcome of an equivalent system but in
absence of diffraction, achieving promising results. The main conclusion of
this work is that diffraction could be helpful for capturing images or signals
when a small number of sensors available, which is far from being a
resolution-limiting factor.