Information Presentation on 3-D Perspective Displays

Abstract

Two experiments were performed to investigate the effect of providing computer graphics enhancements to a colored perspective display on the observer's ability to estimate the altitude, and relative range and altitude of aircraft. The goal of this research was to determine if drop lines (altitude), horizontal-range lines and slant-range lines, with coded tic marks, aide operator's perception and memory when using 3-D perspective colored Naval tactical displays. One experiment evaluated search performance and the other tested the retention of displayed information. Three on-screen tasks were presented with each display (altitude of aircraft, relative altitude of two aircraft, and relative range between aircraft). Participants performed the task by using the coded tic marks on the lines. Both high complexity and low complexity displays were presented. Twenty participants were tested using a 2 × 3 × 2 × 3 within-subject experimental design with the perspective independent variables of coded tic marks, various lines, display complexity, and task. Accuracy and response times were the dependent variables. Results showed that black tic marks on drop lines (vertical lines) and horizontal-range lines aided both search and memory tasks. Color-coded tic marks on the drop lines with either connecting line (slant-range or horizontal-range line) confused participants.