Visual Time Compression: Spatial and Temporal Cues

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated the improved target detection performance resulting from the coherent motion cues provided by a visually time-compressed radar display (Moll and Scanlan, 1972; Scanlan, Roscoe, and Williges, 1971). These studies indicate that, as the detection task becomes more difficult because of increased noise and clutter, the improvement due to time compression increases. The results of these studies further indicate that, if the spatial aspect of the target could also be enhanced, additional target detection improvement might be realized. The present study compared target detection performance on a standard time-compressed display with performance on two displays that provide both spatial and temporal target cues. A fourth display providing primarily spatial cues was also included in the comparison. The results indicate that the addition of spatial cues improves the detectability of a target under conditions of high noise and that at least five frames of storage are required for best performance.