Abstract
A scheme suggested by neurophysiological evidence is proposed to account for the perceptual phenomena related to binocular stereopsis, especially those observed with Julesz' random stereograms. In the scheme, monocular local features are extracted first. Then the correspondence between the left and right local features is searched for. The correspondence is not one-to-one in general. Thus a sort of direction column due to Blakemore is formed. Each unit in the column is binocular and the receptive field belonging to one eye is located in the same part of the visual field as long as the unit belongs to the same column. However, the receptive fields belonging to the other eye are horizontally displaced to one another. That is, each unit is characterized by binocular disparity. If the correspondence is not one-to-one, then several units belonging to the same column respond simultaneously. Binocular stereopsis can be established if one-to-one correspondence is determined to yield global three dimensional regions. The determination of one-to-one correspondence is carried out through a sort of laterally interacting circuitry in the disparity domain. After the determination of local correspondence, three dimensional global regions are formed by detecting the boundary and by filling-in occluded regions. The results of computer simulation are presented regarding Julesz' stereograms with various types of perturbation. Furthermore, the case of random-dot stereogram in which there is a size difference between the left and right images is simulated. Finally, the computer simulation related to the hysteresis in binocular depth perception is carried out.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Earlow, H.B., Blakemore, C., Pettigrew, J.D.: The neural mechanism of binocular depth discrimination, J. Physiol. 193, 327–342 (1967)
Blackemore, C.: The representation of three dimensional visual space in the cat's striate cortex, J. Physiol. 209, 155–178 (1970a)
Blakemore, C.: A new kind of stereoscopic vision, Vision Res. 10, 1181–1189 (1970b)
Bough, F.W.: Stereoscopic vision in the macaque monkey: A behavioural demonstration. Nature, 225, 42–44 (1970)
Clarke, P.G.H., Whitteridge, D.: Spatial arrangement of cells sensitive to binocular depth in the secondary visual area of the sheep. J. Physiol. 242, 125–126 (1974)
Creutzfeldt, O., Innocenti, G.M., Brooks, D.: Vertical organization in the visual cortex in the cat. Exp. Brain Res. 21, 315–336 (1974)
Fender, D., Julesz, B.: Extension of Panum's fusional area in binocularly stabilized vision. J. Opt. Soc. Amer. 57, 819–830 (1967)
Fiorentini, A., Maffei, L. Binocular depth perception without geometrical cues, Vision Res. 11, 1299–1305 (1971)
Frisby, J.P., Julesz, B.: The effect of orientation difference on stereopsis as a function of line length. Perception 4, 179–186 (1975)
Frisby, J.P., Julesz, B.: Depth reduction effects in random line stereograms. Perception, 4, 151–158 (1975)
Frisby, J.P., Julesz, B.: The effect of length differences between corresponding lines on stereopsis from single and multi-line stimuli, Vision Res. 16, 83–87 (1976)
Hubel, D.H., Wiesel, T.N.: Receptive fields and functional architecture of monkey striate cortex. J. Physiol. 195, 215–243 (1968)
Hubel, D.H., Wiesel, T.N.: Stereoscopic vision in macaque monkey, Nature 225, 41–44 (1970)
Hubel, D.H., Wiesel, T.N.: A re-examination of stereoscopic mechanisms in area 17 of the cat. J. Physiol. 232, 29–30 (1973)
Julesz, B.: Binocular depth perception of computer-generated patterns, Bell System Technical J. 39, 1125–1162 (1960)
Julesz, B.: Towards the automation of binocular depth perception. Proceedings of the IFIP Congress, pp. 439–444, Munich 1962, Ed.: Popplewell, C.M. Amsterdam: North Holland Publ. Co. 1963
Julesz, B.: Texture and visual perception, Sci. Amer. 212, 38–45 (1965)
Julesz, B.: Foundations of cyclopean perception. Chicago: Univ. Chicago Press 1971
Julesz, B., Chang, J.-J.: Interaction between pools of binocular disparity detectors tuned to different disparities. Biol. Cybernetics 22, 107–119 (1976)
Julesz, B., Miller, J.E.: Independent spatial frequency tuned channels in binocular fusion and rivalry. Perception, 4, 125–143 (1975)
Mitchell, D.E., Baker, A.G.: Stereoscopic aftereffects: evidence for disparty-specific neurones in the human visual system. Vision Res. 13, 2273–2288 (1973)
Nelson, J.I.: Globality and stereoscopic fusion in binocular vision. J. theor. Biol. 49, 1–88 (1975)
Nikara, T., Bishop, P.O., Pettigrew, J.D.: Analysis of retinal correspondence by studying receptive fields of binocular single units in cat striate cortex, Exp. Brain Res. 6, 353–372 (1968)
Pettigrew, J.D., Nikara, T., Bishop, P.O.: Binocular interaction on single units in cat striate cortex: simultaneous stimulation by single moving slit with receptive fields in correspondence, Exp. Brain Res. 6, 391–410 (1968)
Richards, W.: Disparity masking. Vision Res. 12, 1113–1124 (1972)
Sanderson, K.J., Darian-Smith, I., Bishop, P.O.: Binocular fields of geniculate neurons. Exp. Brain Res. 13, 178–207 (1971)
Sperling, G.: Binocular vision: a physical and neural theory. J. Amer. Psychol. 83, 461–534 (1970)
Sugie, N., Suwa, M.: A neural network model of binocular depth perception, 1974 Nat. Conv. Rec. of Inst. Electronics Commun. Engrs. Japan No. S9-3 (1974)
Suzuki, H., Kato, E.: Binocular interaction at cat's lateral geniculate body. J. Neurophysiol. 29, 909–920 (1966)
Van-Nes, F.L., Bowman, M.A.: Spatial modulation transfer in the human eye. J. Opt. Soc. Amer. 57, 401–406 (1967)
Wilson, H.R., Cowan, J.D.: A mathematical theory of the functional dynamics of cortical and thalamic nervous tissue. Kybernetik 13, 55–80 (1973)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sugie, N., Suwa, M. A scheme for binocular depth perception suggested by neurophysiological evidence. Biol. Cybernetics 26, 1–15 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00363986
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00363986