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进行交互。深度判断对于从简单的日常目标（如伸手拿咖啡）到执行显微手术所需的精密度的任务至关重要。在个人互动空间中，双眼深度线索立体视觉是我们最精确和准确的相对深度信息来源。然而，有相当大的争论的准确性，3D深度感知从立体视觉单独，并结合其他深度线索。我建议，这一争议的主要原因是存在冲突的深度线索，在大多数实验所造成的使用3D显示器和简化的渲染刺激。 这一系列实验的目的是解决这一争论，通过量化立体视觉和单眼线索之间的相互作用，在感知深度使用真实的物理对象。 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，通过控制灯光和运动，在精确的位置呈现物理对象。刺激将使用先进的建模软件进行设计，并根据确切的规格进行3D打印;我们将系统地操纵深度线索的存在和一致性，如双眼视差，纹理梯度，焦点模糊和运动视差。 所有实验将使用心理物理学方法（例如，恒定刺激的方法）和概率模型将用于比较深度线索与理论预测的组合。该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与我们如何在自然世界中使用深度信息之间的差距 2)解决了关于个体深度线索的度量性质的长期争论， 3)阐明了自然条件下立体视觉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，最终将定义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。研究结果为自然环境中视觉线索组合的研究提供了重要的参考依据。这项工作的意义是深远的，立体视觉是从娱乐到显微外科手术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.