Visual comfort evaluated by hue asymmetries in stereoscopic images

Abstract

AbstractStereoscopic three‐dimensional (S3D) displays can present a different image to each eye and therefore can convey depth cues and enhance image appearance. However, many people often feel discomfort when the difference between two retinas exceeds a certain amount. There are many factors that affect the visual comfort of S3D displays, and there is no standard for evaluating the visual comfort of 3D contents. In this paper, we conduct an experiment to evaluate the visual discomfort caused by hue asymmetries in 3D images. In particular, it examines how the hue difference factor affects the visual comfort in two types of 3D images: natural images and computer‐generated images. By manipulating the hue asymmetries of 3D images in the CIE LAB color space, the visual comfort was measured subjectively at nine different hue levels. The results of the experiment showed that the visual comfort decreases as the hue difference increases on both image types. We found that natural images are more discomfortable than computer‐generated images at the same hue difference level. It may be due to the fact that natural images have more detailed features. Based on Weber–Fechner's Law, an objective mathematical model was fitted out. The model predicts that the maximum value of hue difference for comfortable watching is about 76.3°. This is a large tolerance range, and it provides the basis for the application that the surface appearance of an object can be simulated easily by using binocular color difference on 3D display devices.