Image Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 10
Visual Discomfort in 3DTV: Definitions,
Causes, Measurement, and Modeling
Jing Li, Marcus Barkowsky, and Patrick Le Callet
Abstract This chapter discusses the phenomenon of visual discomfort in stereo-
scopic and multi-view 3D video reproduction. Distinctive definitions are provided
for visual discomfort and visual fatigue. The sources of visual discomfort are
evaluated in a qualitative and quantitative manner. Various technological influence
factors, such as camera shootings, displays, and viewing conditions are considered,
providing numerical limits for technical parameters when appropriate and avail-
able. Visual discomfort is strongly related to the displayed content and its proper-
ties, notably the spatiotemporal disparity distribution. Characterizing the influence
of content properties requires well-controlled subjective experiments and a rigorous
statistical analysis. An example of such a study for measuring the influence of 3D
motion is presented in detail and important conclusions are drawn.
10.1 Definitions of Visual Discomfort and Visual Fatigue
in 3D
Visual discomfort and visual fatigue are two distinct concepts though they are often
confused and interchangeably used in some papers. Visual fatigue and discomfort
are notions that encompass medical, psychological, and subjectively perceived
aspects. Accordingly, related studies are found in between associated research
fields. For this reason, terminologies and definitions may vary from one study to
the other and are sparsely explained.
Before introducing the definitions of visual fatigue and discomfort, some terms
should be defined first.
- Symptom: A symptom is a subjective sensation reported by the patient, as an
evidence of his perceived physical or mental condition. Symptom is subjectively
experienced, it cannot be measured directly [
1
].
- Clinical sign: A clinical sign is observed or measured by the medical examiner,
thus is an objective evidence of a patient
s condition [
2
].
'
J. Li (
*
) • M. Barkowsky • P. Le Callet
LUNAM Universit´, Universit´ de Nantes, IRCCyN UMR CNRS 6597, Polytech Nantes, rue
Christian Pauc BP, 50609 44306 Nantes, Cedex 3, France
e-mail:
jing.wang@univ-nantes.fr
