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Apparent motion determined by surface layout not by disparity or three-dimensional distance.

The most meaningful events ecologically, including the motion of objects, occur in relation to or on surfaces. We run along the ground, cars travel on roads, balls roll across lawns, and so on. Even though there are other motions, such as flying of birds, it is likely that motion along surfaces is more frequent and more significant biologically. To examine whether events occurring in relation to surfaces have a preferred status in terms of visual representation, we asked whether the phenomenon of apparent motion would show a preference for motion attached to surfaces. We used a competitive three-dimensional motion paradigm and found that there is a preference to see motion between tokens placed within the same disparity as opposed to different planes. Supporting our surface-layout hypothesis, the effect of disparity was eliminated either by slanting the tokens so that they were all seen within the same surface plane or by inserting a single slanted background surface upon which the tokens could rest. Additionally, a highly curved stereoscopic surface led to the perception of a more circuitous motion path defined by that surface, instead of the shortest path in three-dimensional space.

Depth Perception↗

Context-specific adaptation of vertical vergence to correlates of eye position.

Vertical phoria (vertical vergence in the absence of binocular feedback) can be trained to vary with non-visual cues such as vertical conjugate eye position, horizontal conjugate eye position and horizontal vergence. These prior studies demonstrated a low-level association or coupling between vertical vergence and several oculomotor cues. As a test of the potential independence of multiple eye-position cues for vertical vergence, context-specific adaptation experiments were conducted in three orthogonal adapting planes (midsagittal, frontoparallel, and transverse). Four vertical disparities in each of these planes were associated with various combinations of two specific components of eye position. Vertical disparities in the plane were associated with horizontal vergence and vertical conjugate eye position; vertical disparities in the frontoparallel plane were associated with horizontal and vertical conjugate eye position; and vertical disparities in the transverse plane were associated with horizontal vergence and horizontal conjugate eye position. The results demonstrate that vertical vergence can be adapted to respond to specific combinations of two different sources of eye-position information. The results are modeled with an association matrix whose inputs are two classes of eye position and whose weighted output is vertical vergence.

Adaptation, Ocular↗

Influence of ocular gaze and head position on 4 m heterophoria and fixation disparity.

Four-meter heterophoria and fixation disparity measurements were taken from a sample of 40 young adults in primary gaze, 33 degrees left and right lateral gaze, and in 2 head/gaze positions related to golf putting. Comparisons using analysis of variance were made between the mean values in each gaze position and between the test-retest range of values in each gaze position. Mean heterophoria was more eso (p less than 0.05) in the two head/gaze positions related to golf putting than in other gaze positions, whereas mean fixation disparity was more eso (p less than 0.05) in rightward than in primary gaze. Phoria test-retest range was less (p less than 0.05) in all nonprimary gaze positions than in primary gaze. One of the putting-related gaze positions showed smaller (p less than 0.05) fixation disparity ranges than the primary or leftward position of gaze. All measures were highly variable among subjects. Trends present in the data suggested greater esophoria and eso fixation disparity mean values, and lesser heterophoria and fixation disparity test-retest range values in all nonprimary positions relative to primary gaze. The behavior of exophoric and esophoric subjects differed only in regard to changes in heterophoria associated with left and right lateral gaze. These data indicate differences in oculomotor postural tendencies relative to position of gaze. Relevance of the results to athletes is discussed.

Adult↗

Limits of focused attention in three-dimensional space.

The present experiment examined the shape of the attentional gradient in three-dimensional space. Subjects performed a response-compatibility task in which they were instructed to respond to a centrally located target and ignore flanking distractors. The irrelevant distractors were presented at combinations of seven different depths, three different horizontal separations, and three different vertical separations relative to the target. Depth was varied in a stereoscopic display viewed through polarized glasses. Overall, the size of the response-compatibility effect decreased with increased separation in all three dimensions. Interestingly, the response-compatibility effect was larger for horizontal separations than for vertical separations and was larger for crossed disparities than for uncrossed disparities. The results suggest an elliptical focus of attention, with steeper gradients in the vertical dimensions than in the horizontal dimensions. In addition, the results suggest, along the vertical dimension, a steeper gradient for objects located beyond the focus of attention relative to that for objects located between the observer and the focus of attention.

Adult↗

The specificity of cortical region KO to depth structure.

Functional MRI studies have identified a cortical region designated as KO between retinotopic areas V3A/B and motion area V5 in human cortex as particularly responsive to motion-defined or kinetic borders. To determine the response of the KO region to more general aspects of structure, we used stereoscopic depth borders and disparate planes with no borders, together with three stimulus types that evoked no depth percept: luminance borders, line contours and illusory phase borders. Responses to these stimuli in the KO region were compared with the responses in retinotopically defined areas that have been variously associated with disparity processing in neurophysiological and fMRI studies. The strongest responses in the KO region were to stimuli evoking perceived depth structure from either disparity or motion cues, but it showed negligible responses either to luminance-based contour stimuli or to edgeless disparity stimuli. We conclude that the region designated as KO is best regarded as a primary center for the generic representation of depth structure rather than any kind of contour specificity.

Adult↗

Pulfrich revisited.

The Pulfrich phenomenon is a stereo-illusion resulting from latency disparities in the visual pathways. It is common after optic neuritis, but is also to be found with other conditions. The symptoms are often difficult for the patient to explain and for the physician to understand. Symptoms may be sufficiently disturbing to significantly interfere with a patient's life (e.g., prevention of driving). Treatment with the use of monocular tints is simple and effective.

Depth Perception↗

Motion-transparent inducers have different effects on induced motion and motion capture.

To assess the relationship among the underlying mechanisms of induced motion, motion capture, and motion transparency, directions of the former two illusions in the presence of motion-transparent inducers were examined. Two random-dot patterns (inducers) were superimposed upon a stationary disk (target), and moved in orthogonal directions. Either a high-contrast target (for induced motion) or a low-contrast target (for motion capture) was used. The task was to report the perceived direction of the target. The depth order of inducers was controlled either by adding binocular disparity or by asking the subject to report subjective depth order. For induced motion, the target appeared to move in the direction opposite to the inducer that had a disparity closer to the target; when there was no difference in disparity, induced motion occurred oppositely to the 'vector sum' of the inducers' directions. For motion capture, the target was captured by the inducer that subjectively appeared behind. These results suggest that the underlying mechanism of motion capture utilizes the output from the process for motion transparency, whereas induced motion has no clear relationship to the output of the process for motion transparency.

Contrast Sensitivity↗

Does symmetry structure facilitate the depth separation between stereoscopically overlapped dot planes?

In the present study, we dealt with the problem of whether a symmetrical structure can influence the discrimination of the depth separation of overlapped dot planes. We investigated this problem with the use of both direct and indirect methods. In the direct method, we presented three or two overlapped dot planes consisting of symmetrical or random dots. The subjects were required to discriminate three overlapped from two overlapped planes. In the indirect method, the subjects were required to discriminate the depth positions of a target dot (or a pair of dots) that disappeared during stimulus presentation. Our results, obtained in three experiments, showed that the discrimination performance improved and reached a perfect level in the direct method and a modest plateau level in the indirect method with increasing relative disparity between the two outer planes, irrespective of whether the dot pattern had a symmetrical structure or not. These results suggest that a detection process for symmetry structure on a two-dimensional plane in three-dimensional space will not have a direct or an indirect connection (e.g., via a feedback loop) to a process involved in the depth separation.

Adult↗

Human vergence eye movements initiated by competing disparities: evidence for a winner-take-all mechanism.

Vergence eye movements were elicited in human subjects at short latencies (approximately 70 ms) by applying binocular disparities briefly (200 ms) to large grating patterns (46 degrees wide, 35 degrees high). The positions of both eyes were recorded with the electromagnetic search coil technique. Using a dichoptic viewing arrangement (Wheatstone stereoscope), each eye viewed two overlapping 1-D sine waves that had the same orientation but different spatial frequencies. These two sine waves each had a binocular disparity that was 1/4 of its wavelength and the effect of varying their relative contrasts was examined (15 contrast ratios ranging from 0.125 to 8). The first experiment used horizontal gratings and recorded the vertical vergence responses when the two sine waves had spatial frequencies in the ratio 3:5 and vertical disparities of opposite sign. Initial vergence responses showed a highly nonlinear dependence on the contrast ratio. On average, when the contrast of one sine wave exceeded that of the other by a factor of >2.2, the sine wave with the higher contrast dominated responses and the sine wave with the lower contrast had almost no influence: winner-take-all. A second experiment, which used vertical gratings and recorded the horizontal vergence responses when the two sine waves had spatial frequencies in the ratio 3:5 and horizontal disparities of opposite sign, also uncovered nonlinear interactions but these were much more variable from one subject to another and, on average, one sine wave did not achieve complete dominance until its contrast exceeded that of the other by a factor of >4.5. When these two experiments were repeated with grating patterns in which the two sine waves had spatial frequencies in the ratio 3:7 and disparities of the same sign, similar nonlinear interactions were apparent. We attribute the nonlinear dependence on relative contrast to mutual inhibition between the neural elements processing the disparities of the two sine waves. We further suggest that this interaction will help to maintain binocular alignment on the objects in the plane of regard because the retinal images of those objects will tend to be better focused-and hence tend to have higher contrasts-than the images of objects in other depth planes.

Contrast Sensitivity↗

Effect of luminance and contrast on stereoscopic acuity.

The threshold of binocular depth perception was measured in 11 healthy volunteers. A three-rod arrangement was employed in which both the luminance of the rods and that of the adapting field could be adjusted independently. This allowed fixing the contrast when the effect of luminance was studied or fixing the luminance when the effect of contrast was investigated. The observation distance was 400 mm. Thresholds were expressed as angular disparities and were based on 75% correct responses. Points of subjective equality were also determined. Lowest thresholds (2.85 +/- 0.67 s of arc) were found for a moderate contrast of 0.5 whereas low (0.05) and high (0.95) contrast both produced significantly higher thresholds (luminance 250 cd/m2). Altering the field luminance (50, 250, 1600 cd/m2) under constant contrast conditions (0.95) did not measurably influence stereoscopic acuity.

Adult↗

Surface segmentation mechanisms and motion perception.

Two studies are presented which explore how depth information is determined from conditions of transparency and whether this information combines with other depth information to determine the segmenting of motion information on the basis of likely surface boundaries. The first study explored how binocular disparity combines with monocular depth cues associated with transparency to determine whether subjects see one or multiple surfaces in depth in static displays. When transparency provided a depth cue that was consistent with binocular disparity, depth discrimination thresholds were at normal levels. However, if transparency was inconsistent with the binocular disparity, depth discrimination thresholds were elevated, indicating that subjects had difficulty seeing distinct surfaces lying in separate depth planes. Moreover, threshold elevations were found to correspond to the reductions in contrast between the intersecting contours of the stimulus, suggesting that the strength of perceived depth from transparency is the result of attenuated responses from competing contrast sensitive T-junction mechanisms responsible for the detection of opaque occlusion. A second experiment explored whether the grouping of local motion signals relied on surface interpretations that result from the interaction of transparency and disparity. Surface interpretations were manipulated in moving plaids by combining transparent layering and binocular disparity to show that the motion arising from contours is grouped together (pattern motion) when these cues support the existence of a single surface, and is segregated (component motion) when they support separate surfaces. When these cues were consistent, only small disparity differences were required for the gratings to appear as separately moving surfaces. However, when they were inconsistent, greater disparities were required (about a factor of 2 greater). Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the grouping of local motion information is not resolved within the motion system alone. Information seemingly unrelated to motion processing, namely surface segmentation cues, is used to determine whether or not motion information arising from various contours is pooled together to determine a single motion.

Cues↗

Computational analysis of disparity modulation sensitivity: an explanation in terms of a Bayesian surface reconstruction.

Sensitivity to binocular disparity modulation has been shown to have a bandpass nature. This paper presents a computational account for the disparity modulation function (DMF) in terms of a Bayesian surface reconstruction. The Bayesian approach suggests that prior assumptions about surface structure will affect the perception of disparity modulation. Taking into account a prior constraint of surface smoothness being imposed on the perceived surfaces, we propose that computing the first derivatives of the surfaces determines the bandpass shape of the DMF. Based on this idea, we derive an analytical prediction of the DMF. It is then shown that the prediction gives a good fit to the empirical data. Implications for possible mechanisms underlying the DMF are discussed.

Depth Perception↗

Surface separation decreases stereoscopic slant but a monocular aperture increases it.

When an isolated surface is stereoscopically slanted around its vertical axis, perceived slant is attenuated relative to prediction, whereas when a frontal-plane surface is placed above or below the slanted surface, slant is close to the predicted magnitude. Gillam et al (1988 Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance 14 163-175) have argued that this slant enhancement is due to the introduction of a gradient of relative disparities across the abutment of the two surfaces which is a more effective stimulus for slant than is the gradient of absolute disparities present when the slanted surface is presented alone. To test this claim we varied the separation between the two surfaces, along either the vertical or depth axis. Since these manipulations have been reported to reduce the depth response to individual relative disparities, they should similarly affect any slant response based on a gradient of relative disparities. As predicted, increasing the separation, vertically or in depth, systematically reduced both the perceived slant of the stereoscopically slanted surface and also the stereo contrast slant induced in the frontal-plane surface. These results are not predicted by alternative accounts of slant enhancement (disparity-gradient contrast, normalisation, frame of reference). We also demonstrated that sidebands of monocular texture, when added to equate the half-image widths of the slanted surface, increased the perceived slant of this surface (particularly when presented alone) and reduced the contrast slant. Monocular texture, by signalling occlusion, appeared to provide absolute slant information which determined how the total relative slant perceived between the surfaces was allocated to each.

Computer Graphics↗

Assimilation: central and peripheral effects.

Assimilation and contrast have opposite effects: Contrast leads to an increase of perceived differences between neighbouring fields, whereas assimilation leads to a reduction. It is relatively easy to demonstrate these effects, but the precise localisation of these effects in the perceptual system is not yet possible. In an experiment the strength of assimilation effects was modified by adding spatial noise. By varying the localisation in perceived space of the added noise (by presentation of the noise pattern with different binocular disparities) the masking effect of this noise can be influenced. Masking caused by binocularly disparate noise is less than masking caused by binocularly non-disparate noise. It is concluded that the effect at least partly occurs beyond the (binocular) locus of separation in different depth planes. A similar approach, involving moving noise, is also presented. Finally, several demonstrations show that images that are peripherally similar can give rise to differences in the perceived amount of assimilation. These effects further indicate that a central mechanism is involved in assimilation.

Color Perception↗

Topology of the near response triad.

The near response complex comprises three elements: accommodation, convergence, and pupillary constriction. The synkinesis between vergence and accommodation is well understood functionally, if not neuroanatomically. The latencies of near response components were measured in four healthy, experienced subjects to determine how the pupillary component is mediated. Addition of disparity stimulus to blur, yielding a near stimulus, reduces the latency of vergence eye movements and of accommodation by an amount that is significantly greater than the corresponding reduction in pupil latency. None of the existing hypotheses: vergence-pupil, accommodation-pupil or symmetric dual interaction, can account for this difference. Therefore, we present a new hypothesis: asymmetric dual interaction between accommodation and vergence.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Disparity sensitivity in the superior colliculus of the cat.

The present study aims at evaluating the spatial disparity response profiles of binocular cells in the superficial layers of the superior colliculus of the cat using drifting light bars and phase-shifted spatial frequency gratings. Results show that a total of 64% of the cells were sensitive to phase disparities and had large tuning profiles. Similarly, a large proportion (75%) of those tested with position offsets showed one of the four classic disparity profiles, those of the tuned cells being rather coarse. When tested with both position and phase disparities, 54% of the cells showed sensitivity profiles to the two types of stimuli. The overall results suggest that the superior colliculus is involved in the analysis of coarse stereopsis and/or the planning and initiation of saccades during vergence eye movements and/or the control of fine adjustments to maintain fixation as the stimulus moves in depth.

Action Potentials↗

Temporal aspects of stereoscopic slant estimation: an evaluation and extension of Howard and Kaneko's theory.

We investigated temporal aspects of stereoscopically perceived slant produced by the following transformations: horizontal scale, horizontal shear, vertical scale, vertical shear, divergence and rotation, between the half-images of a stereogram. Six subjects viewed large field stimuli (70 degrees diameter) both in the presence and in the absence of a visual reference. The presentation duration was: 0.1, 0.4, 1.6, 6.4 or 25.6 s. Without reference we found the following: rotation and divergence evoked considerable perceived slant in a number of subjects. This finding violates the recently published results of Howard and Kaneko. Slant evoked by vertical scale and shear was similar to slant evoked by horizontal scale and shear but was generally less. With reference we found the following: vertical scale and vertical shear did not evoke slant. Slant due to rotation and divergence was similar to slant due to horizontal scale and shear but was generally less. According to the theory of Howard and Kaneko, perceived slant depends on the difference between horizontal and vertical scale and shear disparities. We made their theory more explicit by translating their proposals into linear mathematical expressions that contain weighting factors that allow for both slant evoked by rotation or divergence, subject-dependent underestimation of slant and other related phenomena reported in the literature. Our data for all stimulus durations and for all subjects is explained by this 'unequal-weighting' extension of Howard and Kaneko's theory.

Adult↗

The influence of subject instruction on horizontal and vertical vergence tracking.

Previously it has been reported that horizontal disparity vergence is strongly influenced by subject instructions to vary attention or tracking effort. This paper describes experiments which compared these instruction effects on horizontal and vertical disparity vergence. Within-trial comparisons were made possible by use of oblique (combined horizontal and vertical) disparity modulation. Subjects viewed a flat, fully correlated, dynamic random noise stereogram pattern through stationary circular apertures, with a small stationary fixation cross superimposed in the center. The disparity of the noise pattern was either modulated sinusoidally or changed abruptly. Subjects were instructed either to (1) hold fixation on the cross and ignore the disparity modulation of the noise pattern; or (2) follow the movement of the noise pattern as accurately as possible. Subjects showed clear effects of instruction on the horizontal component of tracking, but showed little or no effect on the vertical component. Horizontal and vertical components of oblique vergence tracking appear to be largely independent, and vertical vergence is affected minimally, if at all, by an effort to track.

Attention↗