EAGER: Increasing bandwidth to the brain via effective stimulation of the peripheral retina in virtual image displays

该项目将探索通过对远周边视网膜进行优化的时空模拟来增加大脑带宽的方法。有许多关于远外围的功能以及它如何在虚拟环境中产生地方感和存在感的问题。为了解决这些问题，该项目将开发：(1)最先进的视网膜图像投影系统，可以生成和定位覆盖整个视网膜的光的空间图案；(2)测量刺激对脑波活动、平衡和任务表现的影响的方法；以及(3)组织和描绘完整视网膜上的信息的新方法，以增加大脑的数据吞吐量。该项目的研究可以导致更好的虚拟现实组件的开发，这些组件可以释放人类智能的力量，并在全球范围内联系思想。随着行业迫切要求优化5G蜂窝带宽的效用，通过WebVR及相关系统为无线和无处不在的虚拟和增强显示器提供服务，这一研究路线至关重要。本项目将研究如何输入自主神经系统来增强用户的认知行为。研究议程中的一个关键组成部分是设计和建立一个实验系统，该系统生成光刺激的图案并将其放置在参与者整个视野的各个区域和偏心部位上。该系统必须能够精确地产生这些刺激的空间、时间和光谱特性。这些因素构成了本研究的自变量。同样，这个研究装置还必须使用直接方法收集参与者对这些刺激的自愿和非自愿行为反应，包括事件相关皮质电位、眼球运动行为和身体的非自愿运动(例如，姿势平台)。对虚拟世界体验的自愿或基于绩效的跟踪和操纵也将包括在实验设备中。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project will explore ways to increase bandwidth to the brain though optimal spatial-temporal simulation of the far peripheral retina. There are many questions related to the functionality of the far periphery and how it engenders of a sense of place and presence within a virtual environment. To address these questions this project will develop: (1) a state-of-the-art retinal image projection system that can generate and position spatial patterns of light encompassing the complete retina; (2) methods for measuring the effect of that stimulation on the brain wave activity, balance and task performance; and (3) new approaches for organizing and portraying information over the complete retina that increase throughput of data to the brain. The research from this project can lead to development of better virtual reality components that unlock the power of human intelligence and link minds globally. This line of research is essential as the industry presses for optimizing the utility of 5G cellular bandwidths in servicing wireless and ubiquitous virtual and augmented displays via WebVR and related systems. This project will investigate how to input the autonomic nervous system to enhance the cognitive behavior of users. A key component in the research agenda is to design and build an experimental system that generates and positions patterns of light stimuli onto the various regions and eccentricities of the entire visual field of the participant. This system must allow for the precise generation of the spatial, temporal and spectral properties of these stimuli. These factors constitute the independent variables in the research. Similarly, this research apparatus must also collect the voluntary and involuntary behavioral response of the participant to these stimuli using direct methods that include event-related cortical potentials, oculomotor behavior and involuntary movement of the body (e.g., posture platform). Voluntary or performance-based tracking and manipulation of the virtual world experience will also be included in the experimental apparatus.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.