Article | REF: C3344 V1

Controlling the visual space

Authors: Jean-Jacques DAMELINCOURT, Sabrina SOOBHANY

Publication date: February 10, 2008

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ABSTRACT

Visual performance is defined by the precision and speed with which an individual performs a given visual task under specified speed, mental load and environmental conditions. It is a function of many factors, among them exposure time, detail/background contrast in terms of brightness and color, and the angular dimension of the detail. This article is essentially based on research conducted by the CIE (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage). Experimental results from this research lead to either plotting visual performance based on a parameter (illumination, adaptation brightness, contrast) or comparing it to reference sensitivity contrast curves determined by the CIE.

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AUTHORS

  • Jean-Jacques DAMELINCOURT: ENSEEIHT engineer - Professor emeritus at Paul-Sabatier University (Toulouse)

  • Sabrina SOOBHANY: Housing physics engineer - Project manager, BEHI engineering office (Toulouse) - Doctoral student, Paul-Sabatier University (Toulouse)

 INTRODUCTION

Visual performance characterizes the precision and speed with which an individual performs a given visual task under specified conditions of speed, mental load, environment... The measurement of visual performance can only have statistical significance for a defined population sample. It is assessed by the success rate of a given visual task under specified conditions. It depends on a large number of factors, in particular :

  • average luminance and retinal adaptation;

  • exposure time ;

  • detail/background contrast, luminance and color ;

  • the angular dimension of the detail ;

  • its position in relation to the visual axis;

  • its sharpness, shape and orientation;

  • luminance distribution in the visual field and the lighting system;

  • the individual's history: visual education, level of training, motivation, type of work previously completed ;

  • temporary or permanent abnormalities of vision, including, of course, those resulting from the subject's age...

The most important information on visual functions can be found in the Techniques de l'Ingénieur file [E 5 175] ("Signal processing and its applications" document base).

In this presentation, we will take up an approach based mainly on the work of the CIE. Although unfortunately still incomplete, this work is particularly useful in that it seeks to separate the intrinsic properties of the visual task from the overall result that they produce, for a given population, under given conditions, in terms of visual performance. They are also quite easily transposable to the understanding of concrete situations.

By their very nature, visual tasks possess, to varying degrees, the potential to be "read". This potentiality is modified by the environment and by the nature of the light falling on the visual task.

Furthermore, the visual task will only be usable by the observer to the extent that his or her visual capabilities are sufficient for the situation in question. Thus, any nuisances that may appear in the ergorama (glare, disruption of visual scans, etc.) must be eliminated, otherwise the visual task will be seriously impaired.

Finally, it should be noted...

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Visual space and its control