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| Research Topics is a new page listing display and imaging problems for which I have unique solutions in mind: Weird effects that occur with monocular graphics • The effect of attention on binocular misalignment tolerances • Limits of eccentric viewing of virtual imagery. |
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New technologies have made personal display/sensor systems smaller and lighter with increased capabilities. Human perception and action issues now determine the utility and usability of these systems. A timely example is the vergence/accommodation conflict inherent in stereo or 3D movies, television and computer games. I provide critical human factors analyses and guidelines for the evaluation and design of desktop, handheld and near-eye displays and input devices. This includes defining parameters such as image format, size, field-of-view, color and focus, as well as monocular and binocular configurations. These are items that are not available in handbooks. What I also bring to the table is a deep understanding of human perception and action that goes beyond typical specifications to get at the heart of what makes for a great user experience. |
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| One approach I use is to construct a simple simulation to determine concept feasibility and to identify the important variables. This can be followed by a more elaborate simulation or prototype and informal or formal data collection. The photo to the right is a simulator constructed to study sensor positioning with a monocular HMD. This backpack and helmet ensemble is battery-powered, allowing participants to walk through a building and run an obstacle course (Melzer & Moffitt, 2007). |
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A 2010 investigation of binocular vision and image focus required the construction of an optical simulation and the testing of several observers. |
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| New research at SA Photonics is investigating dichoptic displays—binoncular fusion of a wide-field-of-view lower-resolution image with a narrow-field-of-view high resolution image. This can result in the appearance of an expansive and high-quality iamge. What we are studying is the effectiveness of this concept in terms of user acceptance, perceived image quality and search and identification performance. In addition, we will look at the need for fusion aids—similar to the use of contour lines to prevent binocular rivalry with partial overlap displays (Melzer & Moffitt, 1991). |
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Ongoing research at SA Photonics centers on the vergence and slant-angle mismatches between binocular virtual HMD symbology and rear-projection screens found in faceted flight simulators (Browne, Winterbottom & Moffitt, 2009). As the pilot scans the screen, the symbology and flight imagery are at noticeably different depths and slant angles. The result can be diplopia, fatigue and a loss of realism. We are testing several solutions to this viewing problem that can extend the utility of these flexible, cost-effective systems. |
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