Effects of electronic‐book display and inclination on users' comprehension under various ambient illuminance conditions

Abstract— This study used several electronic‐book (e‐book) displays (a conventional LCD under transmissive mode, a conventional LCD under reflective mode, a Ch‐LC display, and an e‐ink display) to investigate the effect of e‐book inclination (105° and 135°) and ambient illuminance (200, 800, 1500, and 2200 lux) on the comprehension of subjects. Results indicate that the ambient illuminance does not significantly affect the comprehension of subjects. However, their comprehension differed significantly when using different e‐book displays. In addition, the interaction between illuminance and e‐book display had a significant effect on their comprehension. When the ambient illuminance was set at 800, 1500, and 2200 lux, the subjects' comprehension for reading different e‐book displays did not show a significant difference. When the ambient illuminance was set at 200 lux, however, their comprehension for reading a Ch‐LC display, an e‐ink display, and a conventional LCD under transmissive mode were better than their comprehension of reading a conventional LCD under reflective mode. Regarding the inclination for using e‐books, the subjects' comprehension was better under 105° than that under 135°.     

Effects of ambient illuminance and electronic displays on users' visual performance for young and elderly users

Abstract— This study investigated the effects of age (young participants aged 20–30 and elderly participants older than 60), ambient illuminance (50, 500, 1 500, 3000, 6000, and 9000 lx) on participants' visual performance when using various electronic displays (conventional transmissive LCD, Ch‐LC display, and E‐ink display). Overall, the results indicated that participants' visual performance showed sign if icant difference among various ambient il luminance cond itions, electronic displays, and between two groups of participants. Significantly different visual performance was observed between young and elderly participants. The interaction among ambient illuminance, type of electronic display, and age had a significant effect on participants' visual performance. When participants used the E‐ink display, both young and elderly participants had significantly worse visual performance under an ambient illuminance of 50 lx compared to other illuminance settings. When participants used the Ch‐LC display, young participants had significantly worse visual performance under an ambient illuminance of 50 lx compared to other illuminance settings, but elderly participants had significantly better visual performance under an ambient illuminance higher than 1500 lx. When young participants used a conventional transmissive LCD, the ambient illuminance had no significant effect on their visual performance. When elderly participants use a conventional transmissive LCD, an illuminance of 50 and 6000 lx seem to have a detrimental effect on their visual performance.     

Visual recognition efficiency of handheld infrared thermometer interface information under low ambient illuminance

One of the symptoms of plagues, epidemics or pandemics is often a fever, so during such unprecedented times, handheld infrared thermometers are vital devices for monitoring symptomatic individuals. It is therefore very important to enhance reading efficiency when these thermometers are used for lengthy periods of time in a low illuminance environment. The need for the efficient reading of infrared thermometers or a fast reaction time when reading the information is even more relevant now during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, a target search experiment of digital characters is carried out through a simulated interface and use scenarios of a handheld thermometer based on three variables: the inclination angle or slant of the seven segment display characters, screen brightness, and ambient illuminance. The experimental results show that the inclination angle or slant of the characters and ambient illuminance have a significant effect on the reaction speed. In general, the slowest reaction time is found when reading characters with a slant of 10° to the left and the reaction time is the fastest with a right slant of 20°. A continued reduction in ambient illuminance does not affect the visual recognition performance but instead further enhances reading efficiency. Increasing the screen brightness increases the reaction time more in relatively low ambient illuminance conditions as opposed to relatively high ambient illuminance, which implies that in higher ambient illuminance conditions, a brighter screen needs to be used to obtain the same reaction speed as that in lower ambient illuminance conditions.     

Effects of display format and colour coding schemes on visual monitoring performance using spatially and temporally distributed visual displays

The present study examined factors that decreased task complexity so that a technology which temporally, rather than spatially, distributed information (i.e. RAP COM, for rapid communication) would result in performace advantages. This was accomplished by physically integrating the stimulus information into either the display format (i.e. an analog format) or into the response coding scheme (i.e. a colour coding scheme). Performance using the RAP COM display indicated a lower proportion of errors for the analog than for the digital format; however, a longer mean response time for a correct response was found for the analog than for the digital format. Two colour coding response schemes were used: (a)_a continuous scheme that comparised gradual changes between red and blue; (b) a distinctive scheme consisting of the colours cyan, green, yellow, orange, red, mauve, purple and blue. When the continuous colour coding responses scheme was used, performance using the RAP COM display, as compared with the spatial display, was no different after extended practice. The results of these experiments taken together indicate that the RAP COM display type may be a viable technology for some limited ‘real world’ environments.     

Color displays and flexible displays using quick‐response liquid‐powder technology for electronic paper

Abstract— Color displays and flexible displays that use electronic liquid powder have been developed. Novel types of color displays using either a colored powder or a color filter are discussed. We have also developed a flexible display with low‐cost substrate films with a high‐throughput roll‐to‐roll manufacturing method. These technologies enable a QR‐LPD to be widely used as an electronic‐paper display.     

Effects of ambient illumination conditions and background color on visual performance with TFT-LCD screens

This study investigated the effects of ambient illumination conditions (illumination color and illumination intensity) and background color on visual performance (character identification and reading comprehension) with TFT-LCD screens.Results of Experiment 1 indicated that all the three independent variables had significant effects on mean percentage of character identification. Mean character identification performance was best under white light, 500 lux, and blue background. In general, the backgrounds with primary colors had better mean character identification performance than the middle-point colors and gray. Results of Experiment 2 indicated that the illumination intensity and background color had significant effects on mean text comprehension performance for reading comprehension. Mean text comprehension performance were higher under 500 lux and blue background. The backgrounds with primary colors had better mean correct answers than the gray background. According to the results, white light, normal ambient illumination and a background with primal colors seemed to be the optimal conditions. If the yellow ambient light is necessary, using blue as the TFT-LCD background color of will provide better performance.The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient indicated that short-term visual task measurement might be suitable to evaluate the visual performance.     

Effects of curved computer displays on visual performance,visual fatigue,and emotional image quality

This study investigated the effects of the curvature of curved computer displays on the visual performance, fatigue, and emotional image quality experienced by users during the performance of visual tasks. The characteristics of curved displays were compared and analyzed for different curvatures to investigate whether the curved displays showed improvements in terms of convenience of use when compared with flat displays. The visual performance results for the evaluated displays can be classified into three groups according to their response times, as (2000R = 2500R) > (3000R) > (3800R = 4500R = Flat). The visual fatigue results for average pupil size during a search task was 3.468 mm for flat and 3.355 mm for 2000R. This means that a 2000R curved display was found to be easier to use and thus generated less visual fatigue than a flat display when performing the same visual search task. Further, the results indicated that visual performance improved and visual fatigue decreased significantly as curvature increased. In this study, a curvature limit of 1700R was derived, when considering the image distortion of a 34‐in 21:9 curved display, and there was found to be no difference in the emotional image quality at curvatures greater than 2000R.     

Spectral influence of the normal LCD,blue-shifted LCD,and OLED smartphone displays on visual fatigue: A comparative study

In this study, we investigated the influence of the light spectra of the normal LCD, blue-shifted LCD, and OLED smartphone displays on visual fatigue based on subjective and objective measurements. The illuminance of the retinal photoreceptors was calculated for the three displays to quantify the components of the light spectra. The results showed that the accumulated visual fatigue decreased for the display with lower retinal illuminances of the S-, M-, and L-cones, and ipRGCs when the luminance and CCT were the same. In addition, the display with larger retinal illuminances of the M- and L-cones induced more visual fatigue related to dry eye. Hence, a slight shift of the blue light peak toward a longer wavelength is recommended for reducing visual fatigue. Furthermore, an evaluation model of the overall visual fatigue level is proposed.     

Effects of text/background color combination,ambient illuminance,and display type on discriminating performance for young and elderly users

Abstract— This study examined the effects of text/background color combinations (black‐on‐white, red‐on‐white, green‐on‐white, and blue‐on‐white), ambient illuminance (50, 500, and 12,000 lx), and display type (color electronic‐paper displays and conventional transmissive liquid‐crystal displays) on the discriminating performance of young and elderly users. The results showed that when participants used the color e‐paper display, young participants had significantly better discriminating performance than elderly participants under the text/background color combinations of black‐on‐white, green‐on‐white, and blue‐on‐white, whereas no significant difference was present between young and elderly participants under red‐on‐white. When participants used a conventional transmissive LCD, however, there was no significant difference between young and elderly participants under all text/background color‐combination settings. Young participants had substantially better discriminating performance under 500 and 12,000 lx than under 50 lx, whereas elderly participants had the best discriminating performance under 12,000 lx, followed by that under 500 lx, and the worst performance under 50 lx. Participants who used a conventional transmissive LCD had substantially better discriminating performance under 500 and 12,000 lx than under 50 lx. Participants who used the color e‐paper display had the best discriminating performance under 12,000 lx, followed by that under 500 lx, and the worst performance under 50 lx. The results can be the guild for the designers of color e‐paper displays.     

Characterization of electronic displays using CMOS single‐photon avalanche diode image sensors

Advanced complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor‐compatible single‐photon avalanche diode array technology is progressing rapidly and is being deployed in a wide range of applications. We report for the first time the use of a complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor‐compatible single‐photon avalanche diode array to perform detailed optical measurements on pixels of an organic light‐emitting diode microdisplay at very high sampling rate, very low light level, and over a very wide dynamic range of luminance. This offers a clear demonstration of the huge potential of this single‐photon avalanche diode technology to reveal hitherto obscure details of the optical characteristics of individual and groups of organic light‐emitting diode pixels.     

A 13‐bit universal column driver for various displays of OLED and LCD

A universal column driver is implemented in a 0.13‐µm high‐voltage CMOS process for not only TFT‐LCD but also OLED applications. The proposed column driver employs 13‐bit linear DAC to cover all gamma curves of display applications and address‐based configuration for intra‐ panel interface protocol to support both TV and IT applications. Measured results demonstrate the average voltage of output channels (AVO) is under 1mv, which satisfies 1‐LSB resolution at 18.5V of AVDD.     

Character‐contrast measurements on emissive displays using replica masks under uniform ambient illumination

A replica‐mask method is presented to measure the contrast of character strokes on emissive displays under carefully controlled illumination. The method accounts for veiling glare introduced into the detector by the bright areas surrounding the dark characters. A sampling sphere is used to provide a uniform diffuse surround. Measurements of the diffuse reflectances are provided with specular included and with specular excluded. For emissive displays, the contrast depends both upon the darkroom characteristics of the emissive display and its reflective characteristics. Details are provided to replicate the measurement procedure.     

Effects of bending curvature and text/background color-combinations of e-paper on subjects’ visual performance and subjective preferences under various ambient illuminance conditions

The study used the simulated e-paper to investigate how the bending radius of curvature (−10 cm, plane, and 10 cm) and 12 text/background color-combinations of e-paper affect subjects’ visual performance and subjective preference under various ambient illuminance conditions (200 and 500 lx). Analysis results indicated that the bending curvature and ambient illuminance did not significantly affect subjects’ visual performance. However, subjects visual performance differed significantly for different text/background color combinations of the simulated e-paper. When the background color of the simulated e-paper was set to yellow-like condition and the luminance of the text was low (2.2 and 4.6 cd/m²), subjects’ visual performance was best. Regarding the subjective preferences of subjects, the results of this research also demonstrated that the bending curvature, text/background color combinations and ambient illuminance all significantly affected the subjective preferences of subjects. Subjects exhibited the best preference under the following settings: bending curvature of the simulated e-paper set to plane; background color of the simulated e-paper set to yellow-like condition and low text luminance (2.2 or 4.6 cd/m²); high ambient illuminance (500 lx).     

A polarizer‐free flexible display using dye‐doped liquid‐crystal gels

Abstract— A reflective‐type polarizer‐free flexible display using a dye‐doped liquid‐crystal (LC) gels is demonstrated. Compared to the conventional guest‐host LC mode, it has high contrast ratio and brightness due to the combining of both scattering and absorption. Such a gel‐like flexible display is bendable and trimable. In this paper, a three‐step switch using distinct dye‐doped LC gels is also demonstrated. The potential applications are e‐paper and decorative displays.     

Psychophysical research on switching between light emitting and reflecting modes of light adaptable display considering equal visibility

Viewing high-luminance displays such as liquid crystal displays or organic light emitting diode displays under low-light conditions causes an unbearable glare, while viewing them with low luminance under bright-light conditions reduces visibility. Recently, several research groups have reported light adaptable displays (LADs) to extend display visibility over a wide range of light conditions. Here, we present a psychophysical study on how to effectively utilize the LAD using two different display types for the first time. LAD features two switchable display types: light emitting mode (LEM) and light reflecting mode (LRM). To maintain visibility and prevent visual artifacts, we investigate when to switch modes between LEM and LRM. We conduct psychophysical experiments involving seventy subjects. They are asked to select illuminance levels under which they perceive that the LEM and LRM look the same depending on luminance of the LEM. We propose a mode-switching condition by combining our previous results on the comfortable luminance of LEM display according to the ambient illuminance and the selected illuminance results providing equal visibility of both LEM and LRM displays.     

2‐D/3‐D displays based on switchable lenticulars

Abstract— An attractive concept for 3‐D displays is the one based on LCDs equipped with lenticular lenses. This enables autostereoscopic multiview 3‐D displays without a loss in brightness. A general issue in multiview 3‐D displays is their relatively low spatial resolution because the pixels are divided among the different views. To overcome this problem, we have developed switchable displays, using liquid‐crystal (LC) filled switchable lenticulars. In this way, it is possible to have a high‐brightness 3‐D display capable of fully exploiting the native 2‐D resolution of the underlying LCD. The feasibility of LC‐filled switchable lenticulars was shown in several applications. For applications in which it is advantageous to be able to display 3‐D and 2‐D content simultaneously, a 42‐in. locally switchable prototype having a matrix electrode structure was developed. These displays were realized using cylindrically shaped lenticular lenses in contact with LC. An alternative for these are lenticulars based on gradient‐index (GRIN) LC lenses. Preliminary results for such switchable GRIN lenses are presented as well.     

Effects of display area and corneal illuminance on oculomotor system based on eye-tracking data

Light reaching the retina elicits ocular symptoms that lead to some changes of human physiology and performance. However, its influence on ocular system is still unclear due to the lack of comprehensive analysis of ocular parameters. This study investigated the effects of corneal illuminance and display area on the oculomotor system based on eye-tracking technology, and a visual display unit was used as the illumination source. Results showed that oculomotor symptoms were sensitive to not only corneal illuminance but also display area. Fewer microsaccades, longer microsaccade duration and slower microsaccade peak velocity were found under high corneal illuminance, as well as longer fixation duration and faster saccade velocity. More microsaccades, shorter microsaccade duration and slower saccade velocity were observed under large display area. Pupil dilated with decreased corneal illuminance and increased display area. We conclude that oculomotor symptoms can be triggered by corneal illuminance and display area, which regulates human physiology and performance.     

Review of operating principle and performance of polarizer‐free reflective liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— In this paper the operational principle and performance of guest‐host, liquid‐crystal/polymer‐composite scattering, and cholesteric liquid‐crystal reflective displays are reviewed. These displays do not use polarizers and have the advantage of providing high reflectance and compatibility with flexible plastic substrates.     

Imaging performance of displays: Past,present, and future*

Abstract— Some display devices that were tried unsuccessfully in the past are reviewed briefly. Then the display devices that are in use at present are described and their advantages and disadvantages discussed. Properties where improvements are needed include greater consistency between pictures displayed from the same signals on different devices, greater color gamut, less impairment by ambient illumination, and better resolution. Finally, consideration is given to some of the ways in which these needs may be met.     

Angular dependence of the performance of stereoscopic liquid‐crystal‐display (LCD) television using shutter glasses (SG)

Abstract— 3‐D cross‐talk typically represents the ratio of image overlap between the left and right views. For stereoscopic LCDs using shutter‐glasses technology, 3‐D cross‐talk for stereoscopic LCD TV with a diagonal size of 46 in. and vertical alignment (VA) mode was measured to change from 1% to 10% when the stereoscopic display is rotated around the vertical axis. Input signals consist of the left and right images that include patterns of different amounts of binocular disparity and various gray levels. Ghost‐like artifacts are observed. Furthermore, intensities of these artifacts are observed to change as the stereoscopic display is rotated about the vertical axis. The temporal luminance of the LCD used in stereoscopic TV was found to be dependent on the viewing direction and can be considered as one cause of the phenomenon of angular dependence of performance for stereoscopic displays.