Detection of differential displacements of random dot patterns at different dot densities

Enhanced motion aftereffect for complex motions

We measured the magnitude of the motion after effect (MAE) elicited by gratings viewed through four spatial apertures symmetrically positioned around fixation. The gratings were identical except for their orientations, which were varied to form patterns of global motion corresponding to radiation, rotation or translation. MAE magnitude was estimated by three methods: the duration of the MAE; the contrast required to null the MAE and the threshold elevation for detecting an abrupt jump. All three techniques showed that MAEs for radiation and rotation were greater than those for translation. The greater adaptability of radiation and rotation over translation also was observed in areas of the display where no adapting stimulus had been presented. We also found that adaptation to motion in one direction had equal effects on sensitivity to motion in the same and opposite directions.

Corneal lens goggles and visual space perception

Night vision goggles are head-mounted, unity-power systems designed to allow the human operator to see and operate at night. Field experience and experimental studies have revealed many drawbacks in conventional designs that impair performance. One major drawback is the poor space perception provided by the goggles. The Hadani et al. [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 70, 60-65 (1980)] model for space perception attributes this drawback to the fact that the conventional designs shift the observer's effective center of perspective approximately 15 cm ahead and also predicts the resulting impairments. An innovative redesign is presented in this paper-the corneal lens goggles (CLG)-which brings the effective center of perspective of the goggles to coincide with the center of perspective of the eyes, thus annulling the optical length of the device. Qualitative and quantitative laboratory studies have compared the performance of the CLG and conventional goggles (type AN/PVS-5). These studies have revealed better visual and visual-motor performance with the CLG. The implications to optical design of the Hadani et al. theory and the CLG concept are discussed.

Perception of movement and correlation in stroboscopically presented noise patterns

The detection of spatiotemporal correlation in visual displays has been studied with stroboscopically presented random-noise patterns and with a signal-to-noise ratio paradigm in which the moving pattern was masked with spatiotemporal white noise. These methods reveal the ability of the visual system to detect correlation of spatiotemporal structures, rather than luminance contrast. The effects of stroboscopic rate, exposure duration, target size, and the extent of discrete spatial shifts were studied in both the central and the peripheral visual field. Evidence for orientation-selective and speed-selective mechanisms was found, as well as for extensive spatiotemporal integration. Bounds on parameters of spatial and temporal correlation and integration were obtained. The results are similar to those reported earlier, and also extend them. Their relation to results obtained through other paradigms (eg the motion aftereffect) is explored.