Advanced Display Optimisation Tools

ADOT - 2638

Keywords visual display design tools, flat-panel displays, flat-panel display simulation

Start Date: 01-MAR-89 / Duration: 18 months

[ contact / participants ]

Objectives and Approach

Flat-panel display (FPD) manufacturers are currently faced with the problem of producing high resolution, high brightness large-format displays capable of full-colour imagery and complex symbols. In order to optimise display characteristics it is necessary to understand the relationship between the specification of the physical output from a display and the effects of such a specification on human vision.

The aim of the ADOT project was to research and develop design tools for the optimisation of advanced display performance at the visual display interface in IT products. This work is needed because there is a lack of acceptable quantitative display design criteria. The design tools, in the form of a computer program for a desk-top workstation, will consist of a database, mathematical models and metrics, evaluation methods and guidelines. Together with simulators, these utilities will assist the visual interface designer in:

• optimising display parameters with due regard to visual performance and the environment
• specifying the requirements for future advanced displays
• comparing display types on a consistent basis to make the best use of existing and potential display technologies.

The scope of the programme is purposely restricted to specific visual tasks such as the perception of symbols on complex, textured backgrounds typical of digital mapping and 3-D animation for simulation, and the manipulation of displayed text for office systems. The work plan has three main areas:

Colour and Motion Perception

Experiments will be carried out to provide guidelines for quantifying chromatic image quality, emphasising the spatial artefacts of flat-panel displays, the optimum combination of parameters required to perceive continuous motion, and the development of a colour space for luminous displays which can correctly represent the ease with which high-contrast information can be seen.

Development of Design Tools

Quantitative design criteria and guidelines will be developed from the results of the first work area. This will involve a systematic process of data reduction necessary for the formulation of metrics. These will be implemented in a computer program which will also be capable of emulating some physical characteristics for selected display technologies. The work will use the results and simulator from ESPRIT project 1593.

Demonstrators

Five demonstrators will form the major deliverable items and will show how the results of the project can be used to solve practical display problems facing the Community. These demonstrations will be carried out on a range of sophisticated existing workstations.

The tools developed will be essential for the accurate specification of future displays, allowing development in this area to proceed more rapidly and cheaply than could otherwise have been possible. In part this will have been facilitated by the joint development of acceptable design criteria between display manufacturer, systems designer and user, as represented by the consortium and the international standing of its members. The use of a common design basis will be an important asset in the development of a European FPD market by promoting greater homogeneity of display characteristics and acceptable user requirements.

Exploitation

The partners will use the design tool for their own numerous applications where coloured graphic and symbolic information is to be displayed. This will involve the use of flat-panel displays in many IT products, including workstations, to facilitate human-computer interaction, and in simulators. Markets of particular interest are those for advanced information displays to assist the command and control systems of air, sea and land vehicles, including driver training, and also for document-handling systems for the office and workplace.

CONTACT POINT

Dr Paul G. Emmerson
BRITISH AEROSPACE PLC
Sowerby Research Centre
UK - FILTON, BRISTOL BS12 7QW
tel: + 44/ 272-363136
fax: + 44/ 272-236590

Participants

BRITISH AEROSPACE PLC - UK - C
CITY UNIVERSITY - UK - P
TNO - NL - P
SOGITEC - F - P
OCE-NEDERLAND BV - NL - P

ADOT - 2638, December 1993

please address enquiries to the ESPRIT Information Desk

html version of synopsis by Nick Cook