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Abstract

This study examined the effects of display luminance on the ability of human observers to recognize color symbols displayed against similar color backgrounds. The Signal Detection paradigm was utilized and subject sensitivity, as measured by d', was the primary measure of interest. The symbol colors were red, green, and blue. Background colors were .01 to .07 1976 CIE/UCS units distant from the symbol color. Luminance levels ranged from 11.85 cd/m² to 127.25 cd/m². The symbols were presented on a cathode ray tube (CRT) under ambient lighting of two lux. Display luminance was found to affect subject sensitivity, d', as a function of symbol-background color combination. The results imply that display luminance for the presentation of blue symbology on bluish backgrounds is optimal at 19 cd/m². For the red and green symbol-background conditions, display luminance between 56 and 93 cd/m² yields the best performance.

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Effects of Display Luminance on the Recognition of Color Symbols on Similar Color Backgrounds

Abstract

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References