Perception of motion using blur pattern information in the moderate and high-velocity domains of vision

A series of studies of visual orientation at blurring velocities is integrated and summarized. Surfaces moving rapidly in depth were simulated and sensitivities of observers to depth-related geometric parameters of the resulting blur patterns, such as divergence and curvature, were measured. Examples of some ecological analyses of these parameters as sources of visual orientation information are given. The results indicate that human sensitivity to a number of blur pattern variables is high enough to be useful in guidance of locomotion. It was also found that some of the information about motion contained in blur patterns may actually be form information. It appears that visual motion processig may involve a complex interplay of visual form and motion analysing systems.