TWI402821B - Method of directing a viewer's attention subliminally - Google Patents

Description

The method of subconsciously guiding the viewer's attention

The present invention relates to image display, and more particularly to a method of directing a viewer's attention to an area of interest in an image to enhance the viewer's perception of the quality of the perceived image and the viewer's preferences.

An image display is an output device that presents visual information, which has become an indispensable component in today's electronic devices. This may reduce the quality of the image display due to the limited processing power of the electronic device (especially portable or handheld devices) or because it uses a low power backlight to save power. Under these limitations, images are usually displayed in a selective manner, allowing important visual messages to be displayed in normal quality, while other visual messages are displayed in low quality. However, since the viewer's attention is generally arbitrarily bet on each area, the overall image perception is only moderate.

As the browsing of web pages has become a part of daily life, the number of online advertisements has gradually increased to attract more customers. However, some online advertisements (such as pop-up advertisements) often cause confusion to the user rather than attraction, and even block the equivalent display area. Therefore, the average user will specifically ignore or even close these ads, rather than being attracted to them.

Since conventional image displays are unable to guide the viewer's attention, an automatic mechanism for directing the viewer's attention to the area of interest is needed to improve the perceived quality of the image or to promote online advertising.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of guiding a viewer's attention to a region of interest for improving the perceived quality of an image or promoting an advertising effect on the line.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, an image having an area of interest (AOI) is first provided. Briefly display the area of interest. Next, the entire complete image is displayed normally. Among them, the area of interest (AOI) in the short-lived display image can be replaced by a cue. Thereby, the viewer's eyes will be involuntarily guided to the area of interest in a subconscious manner.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the short display step and the normal display step in the first embodiment are repeated. Thereby, the viewer's eyes will be involuntarily guided to the region of interest in a subconscious manner and are affected by the mere exposure effect.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the region of interest is briefly displayed, and the entire complete image is normally displayed. Next, the diminished area of interest (AOI) is briefly displayed and the entire complete image is displayed normally. Thereby, the viewer's eyes will be involuntarily guided to the region of interest in a subconscious manner, and the blinking region of interest (AOI) is unconsciously perceived.

FIG. 1A is a flow chart showing an image display method according to a first embodiment of the present invention for guiding a viewer's eyes or attention to an area of interest (AOI) in an image. The first B-picture shows an exemplary image sequentially displayed in accordance with the operation of the first A-picture. In this specification, the term "image" may refer to a still image (generally referred to as a picture) or a moving image (generally referred to as a movie); an "area of interest (AOI)" may be an object, a pattern, or region. For example, in the first B diagram, the area of interest (AOI) is the upper half of the image, which contains the object 2, which in this illustration is a cross pattern. The non-AOI region in the image (non-AOI, that is, the lower half of the illustrated image) contains the object 4, which in this illustration is a circular pattern.

In step 10, an image 100A with a diminished non-AOI is first provided. In general, the reduction of the non-region of interest can be achieved by reducing image characteristics (such as brightness or color) or reducing its contrast. For example, adjusting the luminance distribution (ie, histogram) of the non-interest area, the ratio of bright components to dark components is greatly reduced. In a preferred and more extreme embodiment, all gray levels of the non-interest area are reduced to zero. In other words, the non-interest area is completely removed from the image 100A. In step 11, the image 100A is briefly displayed. In the present embodiment, the display time of the image 100A may be (but not limited to) tens or hundreds of milliseconds (ms). In general, the short display described in this specification means that the display duration is short so that the image (eg, 100A) is not recognized by the viewer's consciousness, but can be perceived by the viewer unconsciously (perceive). . The appropriate duration for a short display will usually depend on what is displayed and how it is displayed. In detail, in the case of a spatial domain, the appropriate short duration of display will depend on the configuration of the object or pattern in the image; in the case of a temporal domain, the appropriate short duration will be Depending on the refresh rate or frame rate of the display device. Next, in step 12, the entire complete image 100B is normally displayed, and its display duration is longer than the display duration of step 11. In general, the duration of the normal display must be sufficiently long, such as (but not limited to) one or more seconds, such that the image 100B can be recognized by the viewer's consciousness.

By suddenly but unconsciously perceiving the area of interest (AOI) of image 100A, the viewer's eyes will be involuntarily guided to the region of interest (i.e., the upper half of the image) in a subliminal manner. In the preferred embodiment, since the non-area of interest (non-AOI) is completely removed from the image 100A, the area of interest (AOI) of the image 100A serves as a sudden and rapid onset for attracting Eyes and cause attention. The preferred embodiment may draw more attention than the diminished non-AOI of other embodiments. For the subconscious phenomenon, see "Grabbing attention without knowing: Automatic capture of attention by subliminal spatial cues" by Manon Mulckhuyse et al., Visual Cognition (2007), 15, 779-788.

The first C diagram shows an alternative embodiment of the first B diagram. In the image 101A of the first C picture, the object 2 of the area of interest (AOI) is replaced with a cue object 3 for short display. The prompt object 3 (in this case, a triangular object) is a pattern or object that is different from an area of interest (AOI) object (eg, a cross-shaped object 2). Next, the entire complete image 101B is normally displayed. The effect of the first C-picture is similar to that of the first B-picture. By suddenly and unconsciously perceiving the cue object of the image 101A, the viewer's eyes will be involuntarily guided to the region of interest in a subliminal manner ( That is, the upper half of the image is exemplified.

The embodiments shown in the first A to the first C drawings can be applied to various occasions. For example, embodiments can be applied to resource-constrained electronic devices to remove the viewer's attentional focus from the low-quality image area. In this way, the viewer will not focus on the low-quality image area, so that the perceived quality of the overall image is improved. In another example, embodiments can be used to guide the viewer's attention to online advertising, and even to display the advertisement itself, allowing the user to perceive unconsciously.

2A is a flow chart showing an image display method according to a second embodiment of the present invention for guiding a viewer's eyes or attention to an area of interest (AOI) in an image. The second B-picture shows an exemplary image sequentially displayed in accordance with the operation of the second A-picture.

In step 20, an image 200A with a diminished non-AOI is first provided. In this embodiment, the reduction of the non-interest area can be achieved by reducing its contrast; in a preferred embodiment, the non-interest area is completely removed from image 200A. In step 21, the image 200A is briefly displayed. Next, in step 22, the entire complete image 200B is normally displayed, and its display duration is longer than the display duration of step 21. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, steps 21 and 22 are repeatedly performed one or more times (the example of the second B picture is repeated twice).

Thereby, the viewer's eyes are not only involuntarily guided to the region of interest (ie, the upper half of the image), but also continuously guided to the same region of interest. . By continuously attracting the viewer's attention to the area of interest and extending the exposure time of the area, this embodiment has a mere exposure effect, which is caused by a longer exposure time. The familiarity of the viewer causes the viewer to have a preference for the area of interest. In other words, if the viewer sees someone for a longer period of time, the person becomes more pleasing to the person.

The second C diagram shows an alternative embodiment of the second B diagram. In the image 201A of the second C picture, the object 2 of the area of interest (AOI) is replaced with a cue object 3 for short display. Next, the entire complete image 201B is normally displayed. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, steps 21 and 22 are repeatedly performed one or more times (the example of the second C picture is repeated twice).

The embodiments shown in the second to second C drawings can be applied to various occasions as described above. Furthermore, this embodiment can be particularly applied to online advertising because of its mere exposure effect.

Figure 3A is a flow chart showing the image display method of the third embodiment of the present invention for guiding the viewer's eyes or attention to an area of interest (AOI) in the image. The third B-picture shows an exemplary image sequentially displayed in accordance with the operation of the third A-picture.

In step 30, an image 300A having a diminished non-AOI region is first provided. In this embodiment, the reduction of the non-interest area can be achieved by reducing its contrast; in a preferred embodiment, the non-interest area is completely removed from image 300A. In step 31, the image 300A is briefly displayed. Next, in step 32, the entire complete image 300B is normally displayed, and its display duration is longer than the display duration of step 31. In this embodiment, another image 300C of a diminished non-AOI region is provided, and the contrast of the region of interest (AOI) is reduced (or the region of interest is completely deleted). In step 33, the image 300C is briefly displayed. Wherein the contrast reduction (or deletion) of the area of interest (AOI) (ie, the cross-shaped object 2A) has a contrast between the normal area of interest (AOI) (cross-shaped object 2) and the reduced (diminished) non-interest area (non -AOI) between. In general, the image characteristics (eg, contrast, brightness, or color) of a diminished non-AOI (eg, cross-shaped object 2A) are between the normal area of interest (AOI) (cross-shaped object 2) and Diminished between non-AOI areas. Next, at step 34, the entire complete image 300D is displayed normally. Steps 31 through 34 can be repeated one or more times.

Thereby, the viewer's eyes are not only involuntarily guided to the region of interest (ie, the upper half of the image), but also unconsciously perceive to the flicker (in the subliminal manner). Glitter or flash).

The third C diagram shows an alternative embodiment of the third B diagram. In the image 301A of the third C picture, the object 2 of the area of interest (AOI) is replaced with a cue object 3 for short display. Next, the entire complete image 301B is normally displayed. Further, another image 301C of the diminished non-AOI and the contrast-reduced gesture object 3A is provided, and the image 301C is displayed briefly. Next, the entire complete image 301D is normally displayed.

The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention; all other equivalent changes or modifications which are not departing from the spirit of the invention should be included in the following Within the scope of the patent application.

2. . . Object (cross pattern)

3. . . Prompt object (triangle pattern)

4. . . Object (circular pattern)

10-12. . . Steps of the first embodiment

20-22. . . Steps of the second embodiment

30-34. . . Steps of the third embodiment

100A-B. . . Image (first embodiment)

101A-B. . . Image (first embodiment)

200A-B. . . Image (second embodiment)

201A-B. . . Image (second embodiment)

300A-D. . . Image (third embodiment)

301A-D. . . Image (third embodiment)

The first A diagram shows a flow chart of the image display method of the first embodiment of the present invention for guiding the viewer's attention to an area of interest (AOI) in the image.

The first B-picture shows an exemplary image sequentially displayed in accordance with the operation of the first A-picture.

The first C diagram shows an alternative embodiment of the first B diagram.

2A is a flow chart showing an image display method according to a second embodiment of the present invention for guiding the viewer's attention to an area of interest (AOI) in the image.

The second B-picture shows an exemplary image sequentially displayed in accordance with the operation of the second A-picture.

The second C diagram shows an alternative embodiment of the second B diagram.

Figure 3A is a flow chart showing the image display method of the third embodiment of the present invention for guiding the viewer's attention to an area of interest (AOI) in the image.

The third B-picture shows an exemplary image sequentially displayed in accordance with the operation of the third A-picture.

The third C diagram shows an alternative embodiment of the third B diagram.

2. . . Object (cross pattern)

4. . . Object (circular pattern)

100A-B. . . Image (first embodiment)

Claims (22)

A method for subliminally guiding a viewer's attention includes: providing an image having an area of interest (AOI); displaying the area of interest briefly for a first time; and displaying the entire complete image normally and continuing for a first time The second time is greater than the first time; wherein the first time is short enough that the area of interest (AOI) displayed briefly is not perceived by the viewer's consciousness, but is unconsciously perceived by the viewer. A method for guiding a viewer's attention according to the first aspect of the patent application scope, wherein the image feature of the non-AOI outside the region of interest (AOI) is reduced in the image displayed briefly. A method of guiding a viewer's attention by a subconscious as described in claim 2, wherein the image feature comprises contrast, brightness or color. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 2, wherein the non-region of interest (non-AOI) is completely deleted in the image displayed briefly. The method of guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the short display step and the normal display step are repeated at least once. A method for subconsciously guiding viewers' attention includes: providing an image having an area of interest (AOI) replaced by a distinct cue; briefly displaying the prompt object for a first time And displaying the entire complete image normally for a second time, which is greater than the first time; wherein the first time is short enough that the alternately displayed object is not perceived by the viewer's consciousness. But can be perceived by the viewer unconsciously. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 6 of the patent application, wherein in the image displayed briefly, the non-AOI image features other than the region of interest (AOI) are reduced. A method of guiding a viewer's attention by a subconscious as described in claim 7 of the patent application, wherein the image feature comprises contrast, brightness or color. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 7 of the patent application, wherein the non-region of interest (non-AOI) is completely deleted in the image displayed briefly. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 6 of the patent application, wherein the short display step and the normal display step are repeated at least once. A method for subliminally guiding a viewer's attention includes: providing an image having an area of interest (AOI); displaying the area of interest briefly for a first time; displaying the entire complete image and continuing a second Time, which is greater than the first time; providing and briefly displaying an image for a third time having a diminished area of interest (AOI); and normally displaying the entire complete image for a fourth time, It is greater than the third time; wherein the first time or the third time is short enough that the area of interest (AOI) or the reduced area of interest (AOI) displayed briefly is not perceived by the viewer's consciousness, but can The viewer is unconsciously aware. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 11 wherein the image characteristics of the non-AOI outside the region of interest (AOI) are reduced in the image displayed briefly. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 12, wherein the image feature of the reduced region of interest is between the normal region of interest and the reduced non-AOI region. A method of guiding a viewer's attention by a subconscious as described in claim 12, wherein the image feature comprises contrast, brightness or color. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 12, wherein in the short-displayed image, the non-AOI or the region of interest is completely deleted. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 11 wherein the first time step, the second time step, the third time step, and the fourth time step are repeated at least once. A method for subliminally guiding a viewer's attention, comprising: providing an image having an area of interest (AOI), which is replaced by a distinct cue; Displaying the prompt object briefly for a first time; normally displaying the entire complete image for a second time, which is greater than the first time; providing and briefly displaying an image for a third time, which has a lowering (diminished) prompting the object; and normally displaying the entire complete image for a fourth time, which is greater than the third time; wherein the first time or the third time is sufficiently short that the prompt object or the short time is displayed Reducing the reminder object is not perceived by the viewer's consciousness, but can be unconsciously perceived by the viewer. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 17 of the patent application, wherein the image feature of the non-AOI outside the region of interest (AOI) is reduced in the image displayed briefly. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 18, wherein the image feature of the reduced prompt object is between the normal attention area and the reduced non-AOI area. A method for guiding a viewer's attention, as described in claim 18, wherein the image feature comprises contrast, brightness or color. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 18, wherein in the short-displayed image, the non-AOI or the prompt object is completely deleted. The method for guiding the viewer's attention by the subconscious as described in claim 17 wherein the first time step, the second time step, the third time step, and the fourth time step are repeated at least once.