Sub-Task 1-5. Metrics and Models for the Perceptual Design of Virtual Transparency

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Background

Commercial aviation operations are often constrained by poor visibility due to weather conditions. Modern sensors, however, make it possible to accurately detect the position and orientation of a sufficient number of relevant aircraft for ATC system planners to contemplate new "electronic" flight rules. Under these rules flight operations could safely continue despite instrument meteorological conditions that would otherwise shut down or restrict safe aircraft operation. These new sensors, such as ground radar or infrared vision systems, provide spatial data that must be processed by information systems to schedule and space individual aircraft. But results of the scheduling and spacing algorithms need to be monitored by human operators who ultimately have responsibility for safe operation of the air transportation system. This need is particularly salient for air traffic control tower operation, which may become highly restricted during low visibility conditions, but corresponding needs for cockpit operation in modern commercial aircraft with restricted visibility also exist.

Objectives

The goal of this sub-element is to determine new psychophysical knowledge and devise new wide field of regard (FOR), i.e. > 180 degrees, visual display technology that will allow perceptually accurate, presentation of spatially conformal aircraft position information so that VFR-like operations can be extended into low visibility conditions and to condition in which line of sight contact with aircraft is blocked by obstructions. This knowledge will enable the design of virtual object displays that will allow operators accurately to see aircraft through fog and physical obstructions. Thus, the fog and obstructions will be made to appear transparent but the range and direction of the aircraft of interest will be accurately displayed.

Approach

Initially, a functional testbed for presenting spatially conformal, virtual image information in an unlimited field of regard will be constructed. It will be used for psychophysical testing of the speed and accuracy with which direction and distance information may be presented via virtual objects made to appear visible though fog and physical obstruction. The psychophysical and oculomotor parameters of the displayed virtual objects will be investigated to determine those settings that allow most accurate spatial perception with acceptable visual fatigue.

Level 3 Milestones

FY98 Testbed for wide field of regard (FOR) presentation of virtual objects.
FY98 Psychophysical optimization of view parameters for depth presentation w/ wide FOR.
FY99 Empirical model for accurate depth-direction perception in conditions of transparency.
FY99 Analysis of depth-cue integration under conditions of transparency.
FY00 Extension depth-cue integration model to nearby virtual objects.
FY01 Extension of depth-direction model to unlimited FOR situations.
FY02 Study of individual differences in depth-direction perception while using wide FOR virtual object displays.
FY03 Guidelines and evaluation tools for wide FOR displays to ensure accurate depth and direction perception during aircraft and tower operation.

Points of Contact

Stephen R. Ellis

(650) 604-6147
(650) 604-3729 (FAX)

silly@eos.arc.nasa.gov

 

Jeffrey B. Mulligan

(650) 604-3745
(650) 604-3323 (FAX)

jbm@vision.arc.nasa.gov

 

Mary K. Kaiser

(650) 604-4448
(650) 604-0255 (FAX)

mkaiser@mail.arc.nasa.gov