Calibration of random dot stereograms and correlograms free of monocular cues

Dynamic random dot stereograms (DRDSs) and correlograms (DRDCs) are cyclopean stimuli containing binocular depth cues that are ideally, invisible by one eye alone. Thus, they are important tools in assessing stereoscopic function in experimental or ophthalmological diagnostic settings. However, widely used filter-based three-dimensional display technologies often cannot guarantee complete separation of the images intended for the two eyes. Without proper calibration, this may result in unwanted monocular cues in DRDSs and DRDCs, which may bias scientific or diagnostic results. Here, we use a simple mathematical model describing the relationship of digital video values and average luminance and dot contrast in the two eyes. We present an optimization algorithm that provides the set of digital video values that achieve minimal crosstalk at user-defined average luminance and dot contrast for both eyes based on photometric characteristics of a given display. We demonstrated in a psychophysical experiment with color normal participants that this solution is optimal because monocular cues were not detectable at either the calculated or the experimentally measured optima. We also explored the error by which a range of luminance and contrast combinations can be implemented. Although we used a specific monitor and red-green glasses as an example, our method can be easily applied for other filter based three-dimensional systems. This approach is useful for designing psychophysical experiments using cyclopean stimuli for a specific display.