Directional illusions based on motion pixels and uses thereof

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.

1 . 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. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the motion pixels define the border of an enclosed shape or are arranged to define a global shape or pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein varying the modulation phase of the sub-elements results in the appearance of motion of the global shape in a particular direction, a particular rotation, or to distort the global shape. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the appearance of motion of the element is ceased by narrowing the width of the sub-elements or by increasing an observer's distance from the display so that the sub-elements create an image on the back of the eye that is too small to be discerned by the visual system, or by decreasing the amplitude contrast of the modulation of the sub-elements relative to one another to a level that cannot be discriminated by the visual system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the appearance of motion of the element is ceased or made to change direction by altering the modulation phase of the sub-elements relative to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the element comprises multiple or repeated center figures or global shapes so as to increase the strength of the motion phenomena. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a method for testing visual acuity, the method comprising presenting the appearance of continual motion of  claim 1  to a subject, and receiving feedback from the subject as to the perception of motion of the element(s) as a result of viewing. 
     
     
         8 . 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.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein if the subject perceived motion, the subject's perception of the direction of motion is also determined, thereby obtaining a measure of the visual acuity and contrast sensitivity of the subject. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the luminance levels, contrast, relative phase, modulation amplitude, width, or viewing distance of the sub-elements are varied systematically until the subject perceives, does not perceive, or reverses the direction of motion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the image is displayed on a monitor, virtual reality headset, mobile device, or projection device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein based on the subject's feedback, at least one component of the sub-elements is further varied to change perceivability or direction of the motion of the global figure or enclosed shape. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the use of an eye-tracking device, where at least one of speed or direction of eye movement is used to indicate the direction of motion perceived by the subject. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein data obtained from the eye tracking device is correlated with the onset of, and/or any changes to, the image displayed to the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the image is presented in the visual periphery of the subject and the method tests visual characteristics of the subject's peripheral vision. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the image comprises motion pixels which are embedded in a larger field of motion pixels, where only a subset of the motion pixels are correlated to create the perception of a motion and to define a single moving shape in a field, and ascertaining whether the subject can identify the moving shape. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the image comprises motion pixels which are embedded in larger fields of motion pixels, where the field comprises multiple subsets, each subset correlated to create the perception of a motion and to define a moving shape in a field, such that a single shape moves in one direction, and other shapes move in other directions, and ascertaining whether the subject can identify the shape moving in a different direction from the other shapes. 
     
     
         18 . 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.