Perceptual system

A perceptual system is a computational system (biological or artificial) designed to make inferences about properties of a physical environment based on scenes. Other definitions may exist.

In this context, a scene is defined as information that can flow from a physical environment into a computational system via sensory transduction. A sensory organ (biological or artificial) is used to capture this information. Therefore, any perceptual system must incorporate input from at least one sensory organ.

Examples of perceptual systems include:
 * The human visual system
 * The human auditory system
 * A bat's sonar/echolocation system
 * A man-made light intensity meter
 * A man-made motion detector

Research in the field of perceptual systems focuses on computational aspects of perception. For this reason, there is significant overlap with neuroscience, sensor design, natural scene statistics, and computer science.