NewScientist has a piece on “Synoptic Vision”, or presenting a perfectly identical image to both eyes in an attempt to fool the brain into creating artificial 3D effects. A psychologist at the University of Liverpool, UK named Rob Black has build some special glasses he calls “The I” to replicate this effect.
The device works in the opposite way to the 3D systems employed in cinemas. There, images on the screen are filtered so that each eye sees a slightly different perspective – known as binocular disparity – fooling the brain into perceiving depth. “The I” ensures that both eyes see an image or computer screen from exactly the same perspective. With none of the depth cues associated with binocular disparity, the brain assumes it must be viewing a distant 3D object instead of looking at a 2D image. As a result, the image is perceived as if it were a window the viewer is looking through, and details in the image are interpreted as objects scattered across a landscape.
This sounds very similar to the “Fresnel Lens” pseudo-3D effect used by several Flight Simulators.
via New gadget promises 3D without the headaches – tech – 07 December 2010 – New Scientist.
