A motion-in-depth model based on inter-ocular velocity to estimate direction in depth

Perception of motion in depth is one of the most important visual functions for living in the three-dimensional world. Two binocular cues have been investigated for motion in depth: inter-ocular velocity difference (IOVD) and changing disparity (CD). IOVD provides direction information directly by comparing velocity signals from the two retinas. In this study, we propose for the first time a motion-in-depth model of IOVD that predicts motion-in-depth direction. The model is based on a psychophysical assumption that there are four channels tuned to different directions in depth (Journal of Physiology 235 (1973) 17–29). We modeled these channels by combining outputs of low-level motion detectors that are sensitive to left and right retinal stimulation. Using these channels, we constructed a model of motion in depth that successfully predicted a variety of psychophysical results including direction discrimination, perceived direction, spatial frequency tuning, effect of speed on rotation in depth, effect of lateral motion direction, and effect of binocular and temporal correlations.