Effect of Screen Switching and Brightness on Visual Fatigue in AR Environments

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) is being used increasingly in a number of domains for task assistance. Evolving augmented reality solutions may require more than one display screen in certain scenarios. Switching between the display screens repeatedly, in order to gather information, would thus be required in such AR environments. Repeatedly switching between the display screens will require the users to change their attention continuously. Additionally, the eye lens will have to accommodate at different distances when viewing the information presented on multiple display screens. These repeated accommodation demands, to change the focus of the eye lens, will put additional strain on the accommodation mechanism of the eye, thereby increasing visual fatigue. Attention switching and increased accommodation demands will eventually affect human performance. The human visual system will also be affected by the amount of light it is exposed to. It is understandable that the brightness of the display in an AR environment with respect to the ambient light would affect the visual fatigue induced in the users and eventually impact their performance. This study was aimed at studying the effect of repeated eye lens accommodation, attention switching and display screen brightness on human performance and visual fatigue, under typical illumination conditions. It was observed that medium brightness level induced least visual fatigue and resulted in highest performance levels in a room well lit by LED luminaries. Repeated eye lens accommodation and attention switching, involved in screen switching, were found to induce visual fatigue and adversely affect human performance.

Keywords:

• Asthenopia
• Attention switching
• Augmented reality
• Brightness
• Eye lens accommodation
• Human performance
• Screen switching
• Video see-through AR display
• Visual fatigue

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Prerita Kalra

Prerita Kalra is currently working in the imaging, avionics, and display systems division of CSIR-CSIO, Chandigarh. She is pursuing her PhD at Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR). She previously worked with Infosys where she was a top performer and has won various team awards. She is a BE graduate in electronics and communication engineering from Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has been a merit scholarship holder throughout college. She has been a regular participant in technical competitions such as Texas Instruments India Innovation Challenge Design Contest (Texas Instruments) and Formula Student India (FMSCI). An electronics enthusiast with a keen interest in embedded system design, she worked on MATLAB & Simulink and on various IoT platforms provided by Intel, Texas and Arduino. She has published her work in various journals as well as presented her work at various conferences organised by reputed organisations and professional bodies like PGIMER, CSIR-CSIO, CDAC Chandigarh, Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers and Indian Society of Ergonomics.

Vinod Karar

Vinod Karar completed PhD in electrical and instrumentation engineering at Thapar University, Patiala, India. He is currently working as chief scientist; Imaging, Avionics, and Display Systems Division and Coordinator-AcSIR; CSIRCSIO Chandigarh; India. He has over 150 publications in refereed journals and conferences and over 175 technical reports/documents. He also has several patents, technologies and prototypes to his credit. He is a fellow of many professional bodies: IEI, IETE, OSI and member of EMC Society for Engineers, AeSI, OSA and IEEE. He is a recipient of several national awards in his area of research.Email: [email protected].