Standardized experimental estimation of the maximum unnoticeable environmental displacement during eye blinks for redirect walking in virtual reality

On average, humans blink between eight and 21 times per minute while resting. Eye actions are influenced by external and internal stimuli. This can be utilized to measure internal cognition specifically focus and attention while performing tasks. In this experiment, an individual’s self-perceived focus, attention and interaction level is collected and then correlated with eye blinks rate. The subjects are observed while performing experiments using haptic devices in a virtual environment. The experiment was modulated based on network quality and hardware quality to further quantify the effect of each scenario on subjects’ intrinsic and extrinsic focus indicators. The experiment quantified the blinks and formulated a correlation between subjects’ own perception of the event using statistical analysis. It can be found that there is an acceptable correlation between certain indicators, network quality, fatigue, stress, focus and enjoyability of the experiments. A good quality hardware and network did enhance the experience in all the subjects indicating a need for enhanced services for haptic and immersed mixed reality activities directly affecting the cognition especially in education tools. It can be inferred that eye blink rate can be used as an additional tool for measuring the cognition of individuals experience using haptic and virtual reality tools.

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From aliens to invisible limbs: The transitions that never make it into conscious experience

10.31234/osf.io/rbauz ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jaan Aru

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Motor Cortex ◽

Neural Activity ◽

Conscious Experience ◽

Neural Mechanisms ◽

Active Inference ◽

Eye Blinks ◽

Sensory Cortices ◽

Sensory Activity ◽

Inference Theory

Here it is suggested that one interesting but not well-studied property of consciousness is its continuity – the fact that my experience is stable in time despite the myriads of changes in the underlying neural activity. It is proposed that there are specific mechanisms that maintain the continuity of consciousness by preventing certain transitions in the environment from entering conscious experience. These mechanisms are the key reason why we do not perceive the involuntary eye-blinks or why our own moving limbs do not capture our attention. I will describe some studies we have conducted with virtual reality to demonstrate that one mechanism supporting the continuity of consciousness seems to be the withdrawal of attention from the specific predictable sensory activity. It is described how the active inference theory can explain this set of findings. It seems that (for now) the active inference theory is the only theory that can account for the continuity of consciousness. Next, we explore the neural mechanisms of how the motor cortex conveys specific predictions to the sensory cortices and inhibit the predicted sensory consequences of own movement. Although not much is learned from this piece about the mechanisms of continuity, it is concluded that the topic is worth to be explored more thoroughly.

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Detection of neuronal response in a new mechatronics equipment with virtual reality images

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology ◽

10.1016/s0013-4694(97)89078-9 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 223

Author(s):

A Rovetta

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Neuronal Response

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Top-Down Processing and Visual Reorientation Illusions in a Virtual Reality Environment

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185.63.3.143 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 143-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Fred W. Mast ◽

Charles M. Oman

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Line Length ◽

Perceptual Cues ◽

Virtual Reality Environment ◽

Top Down ◽

Test Conditions ◽

The Subject ◽

Processing Mechanisms

The role of top-down processing on the horizontal-vertical line length illusion was examined by means of an ambiguous room with dual visual verticals. In one of the test conditions, the subjects were cued to one of the two verticals and were instructed to cognitively reassign the apparent vertical to the cued orientation. When they have mentally adjusted their perception, two lines in a plus sign configuration appeared and the subjects had to evaluate which line was longer. The results showed that the line length appeared longer when it was aligned with the direction of the vertical currently perceived by the subject. This study provides a demonstration that top-down processing influences lower level visual processing mechanisms. In another test condition, the subjects had all perceptual cues available and the influence was even stronger.

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Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Swiss Surgery ◽

10.1024/1023-9332.8.6.250 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 250-254

Author(s):

Vogelbach ◽

Bogdan ◽

Rosenthal ◽

Pfefferkorn ◽

Triponez

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽

Neue Technik

Fragestellung: Die dieser Untersuchung zugrunde liegende Frage war, ob das angewandte Ausbildungskonzept geeignet war, um am Beispiel der Einführung der laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie eine neue Operationsmethode in einer universitären Ausbildungsklinik mit einer grossen Anzahl Chirurgen zu etablieren. Patienten und Methodik: Seit Einführung der ersten laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie wurden alle Cholezystektomien während zwei Jahren (Mai 1990 bis Mai 1992) prospektiv erfasst. Ein Ausbildungskonzept wurde gewählt, bei dem jeweils ein Operateur durch einen Tutor geschult wurde und so 15 konsekutive Eingriffe durchführte, um dann die Technik einem weiteren auszubildenden Chirurgen zu instruieren. Resultate: In zwei Jahren wurden 355 Patienten cholezystektomiert. 60% der Operationen wurden laparoskopisch durchgeführt oder begonnen. 40% der Operationen wurden offen durchgeführt. In den ersten zwei Jahren konnten 13 Operateure (durchschnittlich 16 Operationen / Operateur , range 1 - 60) in die neue Technik eingeführt werden. Es traten keine schweren Komplikationen, insbesondere keine Gallenwegsverletzungen in dieser Einführungsphase auf. Diskussion: In der Literatur wird dieses Vorgehen bei der Einführungsphase seit 1992 wiederholt vorgestellt, diskutiert und empfohlen. Zwischenzeitlich gibt es Richtlinien von Fachgesellschaften und nationalen Institutionen, welche die Ausbildung zur Ausführung neuer chirurgischer Techniken reglementieren. In den letzten Jahren verlagern sich die ersten Ausbildungsschritte in Richtung Trainingskurse an skill-stations und virtual reality Trainer. Schlussfolgerung: Das beschriebene Ausbildungskonzept bewährte sich in der Einführungsphase der laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie zu Beginn der 90er-Jahre.

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Staring Down Death

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000367 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 212-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Thomas E. Joiner ◽

Melanie A. Hom ◽

Megan L. Rogers ◽

Carol Chu ◽

Ian H. Stanley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Suicide Risk ◽

Clinical Utility ◽

Blink Rate ◽

Specific Task ◽

Careful Planning ◽

Eye Blink ◽

Eye Blinks ◽

Potential Clinical Utility ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Background: Lowered eye blink rate may be a clinically useful indicator of acute, imminent, and severe suicide risk. Diminished eye blink rates are often seen among individuals engaged in heightened concentration on a specific task that requires careful planning and attention. Indeed, overcoming one’s biological instinct for survival through suicide necessitates premeditation and concentration; thus, a diminished eye blink rate may signal imminent suicidality. Aims: This article aims to spur research and clinical inquiry into the role of eye blinks as an indicator of acute suicide risk. Method: Literature relevant to the potential connection between eye blink rate and suicidality was reviewed and synthesized. Results: Anecdotal, cognitive, neurological, and conceptual support for the relationship between decreased blink rate and suicide risk is outlined. Conclusion: Given that eye blinks are a highly observable behavior, the potential clinical utility of using eye blink rate as a marker of suicide risk is immense. Research is warranted to explore the association between eye blink rate and acute suicide risk.

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