Stereopsis in natural environments

人类视觉系统最基本的作用之一是提供有关我们环境中物体的深度和距离的信息，以便我们能够安全有效地与我们的世界交互。深度判断对于各种任务至关重要，从简单的日常目标，如拿咖啡，到进行显微手术所需的精致精确度。在个人互动空间中，双目深度线索立体视觉是我们最精确和最准确的相对深度信息来源。然而，关于仅从立体视觉以及与其他深度线索相结合的3D深度感知的准确性，仍有相当大的争议。我认为，这种争议的一个主要原因是，在大多数实验中，由于使用3D显示器和简化的渲染刺激，导致了相互矛盾的深度线索。 这一系列实验的目的是通过量化立体视觉和使用真实物理物体感知深度的单目线索之间的相互作用来解决这一争论。为了做到这一点，我将使用一种独一无二的计算机控制设备，通过受控的照明和运动将物理对象呈现在精确的位置。刺激物将使用先进的建模软件进行设计，并按照精确的规格进行3D打印；我们将系统地操纵深度线索的存在和一致性，如双目视差、纹理梯度、焦点模糊和运动视差。所有实验将使用心理物理方法(例如，恒定刺激法)和概率模型来比较深度线索和理论预测的组合。这项研究计划将在以下方面产生重大影响： 1)弥合使用计算机生成刺激的研究和我们如何使用自然界中的深度信息之间的差距 2)解决关于个别深度线索的度量性质的长期争论 3)阐明自然条件下立体视在深度知觉中的作用。 这里提出的实验是一个更大的研究计划的核心，最终将确定立体深度感知在我们与世界有效互动的能力中的影响和重要性。这一结果为自然环境下视觉线索组合的研究提供了重要的基准。这项工作的意义是深远的，因为立体视觉是从娱乐到显微外科和飞行模拟等广泛领域的3D可视化的基石。

One of the most fundamental roles of the human visual system is to provide information about the depth and distance of objects in our environment so that we can interact with our world safely and effectively. Depth judgments are essential for tasks ranging from simple day-to-day objectives like reaching for your coffee, to the exquisite precision needed to perform microsurgery. Within personal interaction space, the binocular depth cue stereopsis is our most precise and accurate source of relative depth information. However, there is considerable debate concerning the accuracy of 3D depth percepts from stereopsis alone, and in combination with other depth cues. I propose that a primary cause of this controversy is the presence of conflicting depth cues in most experiments caused by the use of 3D displays and simplified rendered stimuli. The aim of this series of experiments is to resolve this debate by quantifying the interaction between stereopsis and monocular cues in the perception of depth using real physical objects. To do so, I will use a one-of-a-kind computer-controlled apparatus to present physical objects at precise locations with controlled lighting and motion. Stimuli will be designed using advanced modelling software and 3D printed to exact specifications; we will systematically manipulate the presence and consistency of depth cues such as binocular disparity, texture gradients, focal blur and motion parallax. All experiments will use psychophysical methods (e.g. the method of constant stimuli) and probabilistic models will be used to compare the combination of depth cues with theoretical predictions. This research program will have significant impact in: 1) bridging the gap between studies using computer generated stimuli, and how we use depth information in the natural world 2) addressing the long-standing debate concerning the metric nature of individual depth cues and 3) clarifying the role of stereopsis in depth perception under natural conditions. The experiments proposed here are the core of a larger research program that ultimately will define the impact and importance of stereoscopic depth perception in our ability to effectively interact with the world. The results provide an important benchmark for studies of visual cue combination in natural environments. The implications of the work are far-reaching, for stereopsis is the cornerstone of 3D visualization in a wide range of fields from entertainment to microsurgery and flight simulation.