System and method for conditioning the psychological state of a subject using an adaptive autostereoscopic display

Abstract

An adaptive autostereoscopic display system (10) provides an apparatus for conditioning the psychological state, physiological state, or behavior of a subject (12) by displaying a stereoscopic virtual image at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right viewing pupil (14r). A first set of images (100) is displayed and physiological response measurements are obtained from the subject (12). Based on the response of the subject (12) a personalized image response profile is obtained. Then, in order to condition the psychological state, physiological state, or behavior of the subject (12), a second set of images (102), based on the personalized image response profile is displayed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10 / 212,342, filed Aug. 5, 2002.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention generally relates to the field of psychological health management and in particular relates to an autostereoscopic display system adapted for psychological health management and to a method for using an autostereoscopic display system for conditioning the psychological state of a subject for biofeedback, stress management, behavior modification, entertainment, and similar applications. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The value of image display for conditioning the psychological state, physiological state, or overall behavior of a human subject is widely recognized and documented, with applications in numerous fields. In health-related fields such conditioning can be used for purposes such as stress management as well as for helping in the treatment of conditions such as anxiety, brain injury, or stroke, and other p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025] It is an advantage of the present invention that it provides an improved system and method that can be used for therapeutic use in treatment of a wide variety of psychological and physiological disorders.

[0026] It is a further advantage of the present invention that it provides an immersive environment for management and conditioning of the psychological state of the subject. Distractions of external equipment, movement, or personnel are minimized so that the subject can concentrate on visual and other sensory stimuli provided by the system.

[0027] The present invention provides for both a system and method for helping to condition or manage the psychological and physiological state of a subject by utilizing images and other stimuli such as sound, smell, etc. In the context of the present invention, the images viewed can be still images, audio-visual images, or video clips, for example. The apparatus and method of the present invention can be part of a personal biofeedback program for managing stress responses or modifying behavior in some way. With the method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to overcome the disadvantage of generalized image selection as in conventional arrangements. That is, with the apparatus and method of the present invention, visual and related stimuli are based on personal responses of the subject, rather than on generalized responses obtained from a larger group of subjects. A subject can then utilize these personal images or stimuli using an adaptive autostereoscopic display system along with, or as part of, a biofeedback mechanism for altering the subject's psychological and physiological state, so as to manage and / or reduce stress levels, for example.

[0028] The method of the present invention comprises the steps of creating a personalized preferred image response profile for a subject by having the subject view a first set of images and then choose images from the first set of images which provide a preferred response for the subject, wherein the personalized preferred image response profile defines preferred characteristics which are representative of common characteristics of the chosen images; selecting a second set of images from an image library which include characteristics that match the preferred characteristics of the personalized preferred image response profile; and displaying the selected second set of images to the subject to help to manage a psychological and physiological state of the subject.

[0029] The present invention further relates to a method of changing, managing or helping a subject to manage a psychological and physiological state using images which comprises the steps of showing a first set of images to the subject; measuring a physiological state of the subject as the subject views the first set of images; and recording images from the first set of images which provide a preferred response based on the measured physiological state of the subject, so as to create a personalized preferred image response profile that defines preferred characteristics which are representative of common characteristics of the recorded preferred images.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a system, which changes, manages or helps to manage a psychological and physiological state of a subject using images. The system comprises an image display device which is adapted to store a personalized preferred image response profile for a subject and to store and display a set of images from an image library; and a detector device which measures physiological characteristics of the subject, wherein the physiological characteristics are indicative of a stress level of the subject. The image display device comprises a control mechanism which selects images from the set of images that include attributes that match attributes of the personalized preferred image response profile, and displays the selected images in a desired sequence in accordance with a stress level of the subject as measured by the detection device, to control a stress level of the subject.

Problems solved by technology

Implementation of guided imagery based therapies can be hindered by variety of factors such as a subject's inability to create and properly control mental images and inability to practice and apply visualization techniques without assistance.

However, as is noted above, display devices of this type are limited in providing realistic images.

The subject can be too easily distracted and must exert some effort to become absorbed in the viewing experience with this type of display.

However, drawbacks with existing VR imaging techniques include cost and complexity, lack of realistic imaging, and an awkward viewing environment due to the need for the subject to wear goggles, headgear, or special glasses.

It is known that there can be a temporary degradation of the observer's depth perception when the observer is exposed for a period of time to mismatched depth cues for vergence and accommodation.

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