ISO Vote on 3D Safety Guidelines Closes Nov. 7
At the 3D @ Home User Experience Technical Conference (UETC) in September, we had a chance to hear more about standards development activities based on initiatives from Korea and Japan. In subsequent email dialogs with the Japan group, we have now learned that ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is closing a ballot on drafting 3D safety guidelines on November 7. Information on these guidelines can be downloaded here.
This is just the first phase of the process, however. Following the vote, a period of discussion on the voting results and comments will follow, leading to the development of a working draft document by April 2012. This will be circulated again, followed by a series of votes.
Japan issued its first draft 3D safety guidelines document back in 2002 (published by JEITA) and began working with ISO in 2004 via an international workshop. During the discussions, they found out that guidelines are necessary and important for 3D viewing comfort and safety.
Current activity is underway in a new working group called WG 12 on Image Safety, which is under ISO/TC 159 (Ergonomics) / SC 4 (Ergonomics of human-system interaction). The purpose of these discussions is, "To provide requirements and recommendation from a viewpoint of ergonomics for reducing the potential for visual discomfort, asthenopia and visual fatigue when viewing stereoscopic images."
The group’s efforts regarding stereoscopic images are focused on the ways to mitigate the effects of Visually Induced Motion Sickness (VIMS) and Visual Fatigue caused by Stereoscopic Images (VFSI). The latest version of the full safety guidelines document, developed by the 3D Consortium (3DC), JEITA and AIST, was released last year and covers hardware, content and viewer responses. This is a Japanese-only document now, but English and Chinese versions should be available shortly.
Hiroyasu Ujike, a researcher at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), is leading the efforts with the ISO. In an email exchange with him, he noted that, "Based on discussions in the WG, I would like to find out and build a common framework for 3D Image Safety, and sharing it as "international guidelines."
Potential areas of discussion include:
- Interocular difference of images, as optical stimuli, in terms of geometrical distortions, luminance, etc.
- Binocular parallax and disparity
- Enhancement of 2D problems by the stereoscopic presentation
- Temporal changes in the above items
- Viewing environment and viewing conditions
By Chris Chinnock, Display Daily
