Directional illusions based on motion pixels and uses thereof
AssigneeAmerican University
InventorArthur Shapiro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a means for creating a visual illusion of directional movement based on stationary motion elements referred to as “motion pixels.” In various embodiments, methods for using the directional illusion are provided, such as 1) the measurement and/or assessment of visual performance in active and virtual reality environments, 2) the measurement and/or assessment of acuity, in conjunction with eye trackers so as to measure visual performance in nonverbal or potentially malingering observers, 3) the enhancement of advertising and marketing by drawing attention to a desired symbol, and 4) the enhancement of images so as to produce the appearance of motion in otherwise stationary images.
Claims18
A method for creating the appearance of continual motion of at least one element, where the element is a center shape or a globally defined shape, the method comprising incorporating stationary motion pixels into the at least one element,
- wherein the stationary motion pixels comprise at least three sub-elements, each sub-element having a modulating luminance that is sinusoidally varied in time, and having a mean, an amplitude, a frequency, and a phase, and having a variable width;
- where the appearance of motion of the element is produced by varying the phase of the modulation of the sub-elements relative to each other.
A method for testing visual acuity in a subject, the method comprising
- (a) displaying to a subject, an image comprising of an array of motion pixels comprising sub-elements, and enclosing a center shape or defining a global figure,
- (b) varying at least one component of the sub-elements selected from luminance levels, contrast, phase, modulation amplitude, width, or viewing distance between the subject and the sub-elements, to create the appearance of motion in the center shape or global figure,
- (c) ascertaining whether the subject can perceive movement in the center shape or global figure, and
- (d) recording the subject's perception of motion or adjusting the features so as to null or change the perceived motion.
A method for enhancing visual performance, the method comprising
- (a) displaying to a periphery of a subject, an image comprising a center shape, the center shape having a plurality of edges, and a surrounding field, wherein the edges have a first luminance and width, and the surrounding field has a second luminance,
- varying at least one of the first luminance or width of at least one of the plurality of edges of the center shape, such that the variation is sinusoidal and having a mean, an amplitude, a frequency and a first phase, and
- co-varying the second luminance of the surrounding field, such that variation is sinusoidal and having a mean, an amplitude, a frequency and a second phase,
- (b) creating a difference between the first phase and the second phase, and
- (c) ascertaining whether the subject can perceive movement in the center shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.