CN108535871A - Zoopery desktop VR visual stimulus system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments, comprising: a display bracket, a visual stimulation screen system and an image processing device; The screen system includes: three displays installed on the three sides of the notch of the flat panel, and the image processing device is connected to the three displays of the visual stimulation screen system at the same time to synchronize the images in the three directions It is transmitted to the corresponding display to form a 3D visual effect. The above-mentioned desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments can realize 3D immersion with full field of view coverage, and can match animals of different sizes for visual stimulation, achieving excellent visual stimulation effects, and has a simple structure, low price, and easy promotion.

Description

Desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments

technical field

The invention belongs to the field of scientific research equipment, and is used for behavioral research related to vision of non-human primates/rodents, neurobiological research, and in-body brain activity recording/imaging research, and specifically relates to a device for animal experiments. Desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system.

Background technique

Vision is the most important sensory ability of humans and animals. Most of the external information obtained by the brain is provided by vision. Vision is the most widely studied field in neuroscience. Current vision research still mainly uses rodents. At the same time, the visual stimulation methods used in the research are also mainly planar (2D) visual information. It should be emphasized that the rodents used in the laboratory live in cages for a long time, and the environment they come into contact with is basically limited to the horizontal plane, and the range of activities in the vertical direction cannot exceed the height of the cage, so their visual experience has been in 2D for a long time s level. For non-human primates and humans, the range of motion in the vertical direction is extremely large, and thus the visual ability is far superior to that of rodents. From this perspective, the content of visual research needs to face several premise questions: First, is there a lack of visual research methods that use rodents combined with 2D visual stimuli? Two, does the use of nonhuman primates match the way 2D visual stimuli are incorporated? Therefore, it is of great significance to develop relevant scientific research devices, which will help us gain a closer understanding of the function of the visual system.

International frontier research in this area gradually began to use 3D visual stimuli, and began to use non-human primates as research objects. On the one hand, a virtual reality (3D) visual stimulation system constructed with a ball screen was used to study the spatial navigation ability of mice (Dombeck et.al, 2010); they placed the mice on a spherical track suspended by air pressure, and the mice The running action can be performed with the head fixed, and the moving speed of the picture played by the ball screen is directly related to the running speed of the mouse; at present, this device has been commercialized, but it is expensive, and the most common device for rodents The price of the hardware is more than 200,000 RMB, and the size of the dome visual stimulation system is completely fixed after purchase. Usually, the size of the dome is proportional to the price. The radius of the dome used for rodents is not enough to accommodate more than Rodents are 20 times more than non-human primates, and the price of custom-made large-scale dome screens is almost unaffordable. At the same time, to achieve high scanning frequency display effects and color display effects, the hardware price will also double. The visual stimuli displayed on the dome screen need to be specially ordered, and additional fees are also required. At the same time, the device designed for rodents is not suitable for visual research on non-human primates. First, in terms of refresh rate, non-human primates have stronger visual ability than humans: usually 60Hz refresh rate Enough for human use, and even a lower refresh rate can be used for visual stimulation of rodents, but for non-human primates, it may cause frame skipping effects, so the ball used for non-human primates In terms of visual ability, non-human primates have complete color vision and 3D visual ability, which are far superior to rodents, but they are larger in size and have diverse behaviors, so it is not easy to fix them. The interior of the dome, and the long-term fixation will cause the animal to be emotionally disturbed, which will easily cause damage to the dome.

Therefore, the existing 3D (virtual reality) visual stimulation system is expensive, and it is not easy to be extended to larger non-human primate experiments. It is necessary to design a cheap, simple and applicable 3D visual stimulation system.

Contents of the invention

In view of the above problems, the present invention proposes a desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments, which can realize 3D immersion with full field of view coverage, can match animals of different sizes for visual stimulation, and achieve excellent visual stimulation effects, and has a simple structure. Inexpensive, convenient and promotional.

For reaching above-mentioned technical effect, the technical scheme that the present invention adopts is:

A desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments, comprising: a display support, a visual stimulation screen system arranged on the display support, and an image processing device electrically connected to the visual stimulation screen system; the display support includes: a base, a flat A panel and a support frame connecting the base and the panel, a notch is opened on one side of the flat panel; the visual stimulation screen system includes: three displays with a refresh rate not lower than 144Hz, and the three displays are respectively installed on the flat panel On the three sides of the notch on one side of the panel, three display screens are arranged inwardly, forming a semi-enclosed structure each opening to one side of the notch, and the width of the opening side is greater than the width of one display; The image processing device is simultaneously connected with the three displays of the visual stimulation screen system, so as to synchronously transmit images in three directions to corresponding displays.

The above-mentioned desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments uses three monitors to build a visual stimulation screen system on the flat panel of the display bracket. The virtual reality images are recorded synchronously by multiple cameras in different directions, and are controlled by the image processing device. , the images in different directions are played synchronously through three monitors to form a 3D virtual reality effect; during the experiment, the animal used for the experiment is placed on the flat plate on one side of the notch, and the three monitors can cover almost all of the animal's field of view, resulting in The immersive visual experience achieves the experimental effect of 3D visual stimulation.

Further, the images on the three displays of the visual stimulation screen system are integrated, synchronized and controlled through a user interface written based on mathematics software. The synchronous control of images is realized through mathematical software to ensure smooth and realistic 3D visual effects formed in the visual stimulation screen system and enhance the immersive experience.

Further, the image processing device shown is a computer capable of connecting at least four monitors at the same time. The computer is used as the hardware for image control, and it can be connected to the three displays of the visual stimulation screen system and the display required by the computer itself, so as to achieve the 3D visual stimulation effect, and its price is about the same as that of the existing dome 3D visual stimulation system. One tenth of that, the configuration cost is low, the structure is simple, and it is easy to popularize.

Further, the support frame can be raised and lowered to adapt to different experimental environments.

Further, the support frame includes: a pillar, the support column is longitudinally expandable and simple in structure, but can ensure the liftability of the support frame.

Further, the support frame also includes: a lifting platform arranged on the upper part of the support column, the upper part of the lifting platform is connected to the plane plate; the height of the plane plate is further adjusted through the lifting platform, the adjustable range is wider, and the adjustment is more convenient. It is more convenient to use.

Further, the minimum load-bearing capacity of the support frame is 20 kg; it is ensured that the display frame can withstand larger non-human primates for experiments.

Further, the lower part of the base is provided with universal wheels; it is convenient for the movement of the whole system.

Furthermore, the displayed display is connected to the flat panel through the support arm; it is convenient for the disassembly and adjustment of the display, the maintenance of the equipment, and the convenient adjustment of a more immersive 3D visual effect.

Further, a small panel is detachably embedded in the recess of the flat panel. When using larger non-human primates for experiments, the monkey chair for placing animals can be fixed to the notch to facilitate visual related experiments; A small panel is embedded in the mouth to eliminate the notch, so that rodents can be placed directly on the flat panel; the flat panel structure is easy to switch, and the application range is wider.

Adopt above-mentioned technical scheme, the beneficial effect of the present invention has:

1. Low cost and easy to popularize: the present invention uses a combination of high-refresh frequency liquid crystal displays to build. The core component is an image processing computer equipped with 2 high-performance graphics cards. It can be connected to 4 displays at the same time, and simultaneously output images in different directions to achieve 3D The effect of visual stimulation, the price is about one tenth of the dome 3D visual stimulation system, the cost is low, and the structure is simple, easy to assemble, and easier to promote;

2. Large degree of freedom in size and wide application range: the core component of the present invention is an image processing computer, which can be connected to displays of different sizes at the same time according to needs, so that the size of the entire visual stimulation system can be easily adjusted, and it can be matched with a liftable display stand , can be matched with animals of different sizes for experiments, and has a wide range of applications;

3. Good 3D visual stimulation effect: the immersive effect of the full field of view can reach the level of the ball screen, and the immersive effect of virtual reality is excellent; at the same time, it gets rid of wearable devices, such as 3D glasses, eliminating the inherent sense of restraint and The limited field of view ensures the effect of 3D visual stimulation.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the front structural schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the control principle of the embodiment of the present invention;

Reference signs:

1-monitor stand, 11-base, 12-plane board, 13-support frame, 131-pillar, 132-lift platform, 14-notch, 15-small panel, 16-universal wheel, 17-support arm, 2 - visual stimulation screen system, 21 - monitor, 3 - image processing device.

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following examples are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention more clearly, and therefore are only examples, rather than limiting the protection scope of the present invention. In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right" etc. is based on the drawings The orientation or positional relationship shown is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, but does not indicate or imply that the components or structures referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. limit.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a kind of desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments provided by the present embodiment includes: a display support 1, a visual stimulation screen system 2 arranged on the display support 1 and a visual stimulation screen system 2. An image processing device 3 electrically connected. Display support 1 comprises: base 11, plane board 12 and the support frame 13 that connects base 11 and plane board 12, the front of plane board 12 is provided with notch 14, and notch 14 place is detachably embedded a small panel 15; When experimenting with larger non-human primates, the monkey chair for placing the animals can be fixed to the notch 14, so as to carry out visual-related experiments conveniently; A small panel 15 is embedded in the mouth 14 to eliminate the gap, so that rodents can be directly placed on the flat panel 12. The structure of the flat panel 12 is convenient to switch and has a wider range of applications.

The visual stimulation screen system 2 includes: three displays 21 with a refresh rate not lower than 144Hz, and the three displays 21 are respectively installed on the three sides of the notch of the flat panel 12, that is, the rear and the rear of the flat panel 12. On the left and right sides, the screens of the three displays 21 are arranged inwardly to form a semi-enclosed structure with openings on one side of the notch 14, and the width of the opening side is greater than the width of one display 21, and the frame of the display 21 is as small as possible. When the support arm 17 is connected to the plane board 12 , when the experimental animal is located at the front of the plane board 12 , it can completely cover its front, left and right fields of view.

The image processing device 3 is connected with the three displays 21 of the visual stimulation screen system 2 at the same time, so that the images in three directions are synchronously transmitted to the corresponding displays; the images on the three displays 21 of the visual stimulation screen system 2 are obtained by The user interface written by mathematical software (such as: the commercial mathematical software MATLAB produced by MathWorks, USA) is integrated, synchronized and controlled, and the synchronous control of the image is realized through the mathematical software to ensure that the 3D visual effect formed in the visual stimulation screen system 2 is smooth and realistic , to enhance the immersive experience. The image processing device 3 in this embodiment is a computer that can be connected to at least four monitors at the same time, and the computer is used as the hardware for image control, and it can be connected to the three monitors 21 of the visual stimulation screen system 2 at the same time, as well as the computer itself The required display achieves the 3D visual stimulation effect, and its price is about one tenth of the existing dome 3D visual stimulation system. The configuration cost is low, and the structure is simple, which is convenient for popularization.

The bottom of the base of the monitor support 1 is provided with universal wheels 16, which facilitates the movement of the whole system. The minimum load-bearing capacity of the support frame 13 is 20 kg, which ensures that the monitor support 1 can bear larger non-human primates for experiments. At the same time, the support frame 13 can be lifted to adapt to different experimental environments. Specifically, referring to Fig. 1, the support frame 13 includes: a pillar 131, which is longitudinally expandable and simple in structure, but can ensure that the support frame 13 can be lifted Performance; at the same time, the lifting platform 132 on the top of the support column 131, the top of the lifting platform 132 is connected to the flat panel 12; the height of the flat panel 12 is further adjusted by the lifting platform 132, the adjustable range is wider, the adjustment is more convenient, and the use is more convenient.

The above-mentioned desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments uses three monitors 21 to build a visual stimulation screen system 2 on the flat panel 21 of the display bracket 1, and the virtual reality images are recorded synchronously by multiple cameras in different directions, see Fig. 3. Through the control of the image processing device 3, images in different directions are played synchronously through three monitors 21 to form a 3D virtual reality effect; during the experiment, the animals used for the experiment are placed on the flat panel 12 on one side of the notch 14, The three monitors 21 can cover almost all the visual field of the animal, resulting in an immersive visual experience and achieving the experimental effect of 3D visual stimulation. The above-mentioned system can be used to perform 3D virtual reality visual stimulation on experimental animals, and then carry out vision research, animal behavior research, and animal space navigation behavior research.

In summary, the desktop virtual reality visual stimulation system for animal experiments using the above-mentioned technical scheme can realize 3D immersion with full field of view coverage, and can match animals of different sizes for visual stimulation, achieving excellent visual stimulation effects, and has a simple structure , cheap, convenient and promotional.

It should be noted that the above preferred embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: it can still Modifications are made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent replacements are made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be included within the scope of the claims and description of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. a kind of zoopery desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that including：Display bracket, setting Visual stimulus screen system on display bracket and the image processing apparatus with the electric connection of visual stimulus screen system；

The display bracket includes：The supporting rack of pedestal, surface plate and connect base and surface plate, the one of the surface plate Side offers recess；

The visual stimulus screen system includes：Three refreshing frequencys are not less than the display of 144Hz, three displays point Be not installed on surface plate recess side open except three sides, three indicator screens are inwardly arranged, formed one it is each to The semi-surrounding structure of one side opening of recess, and the width of open side is more than the width of a display；

Described image processing unit is connect with three displays of visual stimulus screen system simultaneously, by the image in three directions In synchronous transfer to corresponding display.

2. zoopery according to claim 1 desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that described to regard The image on three displays of stimulation screen system is felt, by being integrated, together based on the user interface that mathematical software is write Step and control.

3. zoopery according to claim 1 or 2 desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that institute Show that image processing apparatus is a computer that can connect at least four displays simultaneously.

4. zoopery according to claim 1 or 2 desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that institute State supporting rack liftable.

5. zoopery according to claim 4 desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that the branch Support includes：Pillar, the support column can longitudinal extensions.

6. zoopery according to claim 5 desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that the branch Support further includes：It is arranged in the upper part of the supporting column hoistable platform, the upper connection plane plate of the hoistable platform.

7. according to claim 1,5 or 6 any one of them zooperies desktop VR visual stimulus system, feature It is, the minimum load-bearing of support frame as described above is 20 kilograms.

8. zoopery according to claim 1 desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that the bottom The lower part of seat is provided with universal wheel.

9. zoopery according to claim 1 desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that shown aobvious Show that device is connected to by support arm on surface plate.

10. zoopery according to claim 1 desktop VR visual stimulus system, which is characterized in that described The indent of surface plate is removably embedded a small panel.