In modeling visual backward masking, the focus has been on temporal effects. More
specifically, an explanation has been sought as to why strongest masking can
occur when the mask is delayed with respect to the target. Although interesting
effects of the spatial layout of the mask have been found, only a few attempts
have been made to model these phenomena. Here, we elaborate a structurally
simple model which employs lateral excitation and inhibition together with
different neural time scales to explain many spatial and temporal aspects of
backward masking. We argue that for better understanding of visual masking, it
is vitally important to consider the interplay of spatial and temporal factors
together in one single model