Discomfort luminance level of head-mounted displays depending on the adapting luminance

The Images in an immersive head-mounted display (HMD) for virtual reality provide the sole source for visual adaptation. Thus, significant, near-instantaneous increases in luminance while viewing an HMD can result in visual discomfort. Therefore, the current study investigated the luminance change necessary to induce this discomfort. Based on the psychophysical experiment data collected from 10 subjects, a prediction model was derived using four complex images and one neutral image, with four to six levels of average scene luminance. Result showed that maximum area luminance has a significant correlation with the discomfort luminance level than average, median, or maximum pixel luminance. According to the prediction model, the discomfort luminance level of a head-mounted display was represented as a positive linear function in log(10) units using the previous adaptation luminance when luminance is calculated as maximum area luminance

Effect of Display Polarity on Amplitude of Accommodation and Visual Fatigue

This study aimed to assess the changes in the amplitude of accommodation under different display polarities and ascertain the effect of display polarities on visual fatigue. Thirty subjects randomly underwent a reading task for 30 minutes with both positive and negative display polarities. The amplitude of accommodation was measured, and subjects were required to complete a subjective symptoms questionnaire; both before and after the reading task. The amplitude of accommodation and visual fatigue symptoms were significantly reduced after the reading task, with both display polarities. Keywords: Display polarity; amplitude of accommodation; visual fatigue eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2023. The Authors. Published for AMER & cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v8i24.461

Short term effect of virtual reality on tear film stability and ocular discomfort

Virtual reality (VR) has been integrated and used with smartphones as one of the digital entertainments such as in gaming and movie streaming. With emergent of various VR brands in the market, it concerns the public on the possible side effects of VR on the ocular performance specifically on tear film stability and ocular discomfort. The purpose of this study was to compare the change on non-invasive keratograph tear break-up time (NIKBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH) before and after the use of VR for 30 minutes, and to measure the ocular discomfort after the use of VR quantitatively. Thirty-two subjects were recruited in this study and all the subjects were divided randomly into two groups; VR and laptop (used as a control) groups. Each subject needed to watch a movie for 30 minutes using the respective devices. The changes of tear film stability and ocular discomfort before and after the use of the devices were then compared and the results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) after 30 minutes of the use. Comparison of the ocular parameters between the devices on post-watching activities was also not significant (p>0.05). Use of VR did not give any signs of dryness to the eyes and it can be used without any discomfort even after 30 minutes usage of the devices

The Use of Virtual Reality to Reduce L2 Speaking Anxiety

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, & Technology has issued a shift in the focus of English education from a test-focused grammar pedagogy to a four-skill communicative one by 2020, introducing new challenges for both teachers and students. One of those challenges is the increase in L2 speaking anxiety which students are experiencing in class. Public speaking anxiety and L2 speaking anxiety can both affect student L2 performance. Several anxiety-reducing methods exist but may not be appropriate for the language classroom. This paper puts forward the argument that virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a form of anxiety reduction which can be used in the L2 classroom. VRET has shown to be effective at helping people who suffer from a variety of psychological and anxiety related disorders. While its’ application for treating learners affected by speaking anxieties is still on-going, the current research has been quite positive. Additionally, implementing VRET into a curriculum also provides students with more opportunities to use language in authentic settings, better preparing them for real world use. While some negative physical reactions, such as visually induced motion sickness and other forms of visual discomfort, might happen with a few users, the perception of benefit and increased motivation which have been reported could encourage students to endure the initial discomfort. In the future, both VR headset and software developers should prioritize eliminating the discomforts associated with modern VR headsets

The usage of fully immersive head-mounted displays in social everyday contexts

Technology often evolves from decades of research in university and industrial laboratories and changes people's lives when it becomes available to the masses. In the interaction between technology and consumer, established designs in the laboratory environment must be adapted to the needs of everyday life. This paper deals with the challenges arising from the development of fully immersive Head Mounted Displays (HMD) in laboratories towards their application in everyday contexts. Research on virtual reality (VR) technologies spans over 50 years and covers a wide field of topics, e.g., technology, system design, user interfaces, user experience or human perception. Other disciplines such as psychology or the teleoperation of robots are examples for users of VR technology. The work in the previous examples was mainly carried out in laboratories or highly specialized environments. The main goal was to generate systems that are ideal for a single user to conduct a particular task in VR. The new emerging environments for the use of HMDs range from private homes to offices to convention halls. Even in public spaces such as public transport, cafés or parks, immersive experiences are possible. However, current VR systems are not yet designed for these environments. Previous work on problems in the everyday environment deals with challenges such as preventing the user from colliding with a physical object. However, current research does not take into account the new social context for an HMD user associated with these environments. Several people who have different roles are around the user in these contexts. In contrast to laboratory scenarios, the non-HMD user, for example, does not share the task with or is aware of the state of the HMD user in VR. This thesis contributes to the challenges introduced by the social context. For this purpose I offer solutions to overcome the visual separation of the HMD user. I also suggest methods for investigating and evaluating the use of HMDs suitable for everyday context. First, we present concepts and insights to overcome the challenges arising from an HMD covering the user's face. In the private context, e.g., living rooms, one of the main challenges is the need for an HMD user to take off the HMD to be able to communicate with others. Reasons for taking off the HMD are the visual exclusion of the surrounding world for HMD users and the HMD covering the users' face, hindering communication. Additionally, the Non-HMD users do not know about the virtual world the HMD user is acting in. Previous work suggests to visualize the bystanding Non-HMD user or its actions in VR to address such challenges. The biggest advantage of a fully immersive experience, however, is the full separation from the physical surrounding with the ultimate goal of being at another place. Therefore I argue not to integrate a non-HMD users directly into VR. I introduce the approach of using a shared surface that provides a common basis for information and interaction between a non-HMD and a HMD user. Such a surface can be utilized by using a smartphone. The same information is presented to the HMD in VR and the Non-HMD user on the shared surface in the same physical position, enabling joint interaction at the surface. By examining four feedback modalities, we provide design guidelines for touch interaction. The guidelines support interaction design with such a shared surface by an HMD user. Further, we explore the possibility to inform the Non-HMD user about the user's state during a mixed presence collaboration, e.g., if the HMD user is inattentive to the real world. For this purpose I use a frontal display attached to the HMD. In particular we explore the challenges of disturbed socialness and reduced collaboration quality, by presenting the users state on the front facing display. In summary, our concepts and studies explore the application of a shared surface to overcome challenges in a co-located mixed presence collaboration. Second, we look at the challenges of using HMDs in a public environment that have not yet been considered. The use of HMDs in these environments is becoming a reality due to the current development of HMDs, which contain all necessary hardware in one portable device. Related work, in particular, the work on public displays, already addresses the interaction with technology in public environments. The form factor of the HMD, the need to take an HMD onto the head and especially the visual and mental exclusion of the HMD user are new and not yet understood challenges in these environments. We propose a problem space for semi-public (e.g., conference rooms) and public environments (e.g., market places). With an explorative field study, we gain insight into the effects of the visual and physical separation of an HMD user from surrounding Non-HMD users. Further, we present a method that helps to design and evaluate the unsupervised usage of HMDs in public environments, the \emph{audience funnel flow model for HMDs}. Third, we look into methods that are suitable to monitor and evaluate HMD-based experiences in the everyday context. One core measure is the experience of being present in the virtual world, i.e., the feeling of ``being there''. Consumer-grade HMDs are already able to create highly immersive experiences, leading to a strong presence experience in VR. Hence we argue it is important to find and understand the remaining disturbances during the experience. Existing methods from the laboratory context are either not precise enough, e.g, questionnaires, to find these disturbances or cause high effort in their application and evaluation, e.g., physiological measures. In a literature review, we show that current research heavily relies on questionnaire-based approaches. I improve current qualitative approaches -- interviews, questionnaires -- to make the temporal variation of a VR experience assessable. I propose a drawing method that recognizes breaks in the presence experience. Also, it helps the user in reflecting an HMD-based experience and supports the communication between an interviewer and the HMD user. In the same paper, we propose a descriptive model that allows the objective description of the temporal variations of a presence experience from beginning to end. Further, I present and explore the concept of using electroencephalography to detect an HMD user's visual stress objectively. Objective detection supports the usage of HMDs in private and industrial contexts, as it ensures the health of the user. With my work, I would like to draw attention to the new challenges when using virtual reality technologies in everyday life. I hope that my concepts, methods and evaluation tools will serve research and development on the usage of HMDs. In particular, I would like to promote the use in the everyday social context and thereby create an enriching experience for all.Technologie entwickelt sich oft aus jahrzehntelanger Forschung in Universitäts- und Industrielabors und verändert das Leben der Menschen, wenn sie für die Masse verfügbar wird. Im Zusammenspiel von Technik und Konsument müssen im Laborumfeld etablierte Designs an die Bedürfnisse des Alltags angepasst werden. Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit den Herausforderungen, die sich aus der Entwicklung voll immersiver Head Mounted Displays (HMD) in Labors, hin zu ihrer Anwendung im täglichen Kontext ergeben. Die Forschung zu Virtual-Reality-Technologien erstreckt sich über mehr als 50 Jahre und deckt ein breites Themenspektrum ab, wie zum Beispiel Technologie, Systemdesign, Benutzeroberflächen, Benutzererfahrung oder menschliche Wahrnehmung. Andere Disziplinen wie die Psychologie oder die Teleoperation von Robotern sind Beispiele für Anwender von VR Technologie. in der Vergangenheit Arbeiten wurden Arbeiten mit VR Systemen überwiegend in Labors oder hochspezialisierten Umgebungen durchgeführt. Der Großteil dieser Arbeiten zielte darauf ab, Systeme zu generieren, die für einen einzigen Benutzer ideal sind, um eine bestimmte Aufgabe in VR durchzuführen. Die neu aufkommenden Umgebungen für den Einsatz von HMDs reichen vom privaten Haushalt über Büros bis hin zu Kongresssälen. Auch in öffentlichen Räumen wie öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln, Cafés oder Parks sind immersive Erlebnisse möglich. Allerdings sind die aktuellen VR Systeme noch nicht für diese Umgebungen ausgelegt. Vorangegangene Arbeiten zu den Problemen im Alltags Umfeld befassen sich daher mit Herausforderungen, wie der Vermeidung von Kollisionen des Benutzers mit einem physischen Objekt. Die aktuelle Forschung berücksichtigt allerdings nicht den neuen sozialen Kontext für einen HMD-Anwender, der mit den Alltagsumgebungen verbunden ist. Mehrere Personen, die unterschiedliche Rollen haben, sind in diesen Kontexten um den Benutzer herum. Im Gegensatz zu Szenarien im Labor teilt der Nicht-HMD-Benutzer beispielsweise nicht die Aufgabe und ist sich nicht über den Zustand des HMD-Benutzers in VR bewusst. Diese Arbeit trägt zu den Herausforderungen bei, die durch den sozialen Kontext eingeführt werden. Zu diesem Zweck bieten ich in meiner Arbeit Lösungen an, um die visuelle Abgrenzung des HMD-Anwenders zu überwinden. Ich schlage zudem Methoden zur Untersuchung und Bewertung des Einsatzes von HMDs in öffentlichen Bereichen vor. Zuerst präsentieren wir Konzepte und Erkenntnisse, um die Herausforderungen zu meistern, die sich durch das HMD ergeben, welches das Gesicht des Benutzers abdeckt. Im privaten Bereich, z.B. in Wohnzimmern, ist eine der größten Herausforderungen die Notwendigkeit, dass der HMD-Nutzer das HMD abnimmt, um mit anderen kommunizieren zu können. Gründe für das Abnehmen des HMDs sind die visuelle Ausgrenzung der Umgebung für die HMD-Anwender und das HMD selbst, welches das Gesicht des Anwenders bedeckt und die Kommunikation behindert. Darüber hinaus wissen die Nicht-HMD-Benutzer nichts über die virtuelle Welt, in der der HMD-Benutzer handelt. Bisherige Konzepte schlugen vor, den Nicht-HMD-Benutzer oder seine Aktionen in VR zu visualisieren, um diese Herausforderungen zu adressieren. Der größte Vorteil einer völlig immersiven Erfahrung ist jedoch die vollständige Trennung der physischen Umgebung mit dem ultimativen Ziel, an einem anderen Ort zu sein. Daher schlage ich vor die Nicht-HMD-Anwender nicht direkt in VR einzubinden. Stattdessen stelle ich den Ansatz der Verwendung einer geteilten Oberfläche vor, die eine gemeinsame Grundlage für Informationen und Interaktion zwischen einem Nicht-HMD und einem HMD-Benutzer bietet. Eine geteile Oberfläche kann etwa durch die Verwendung eines Smartphones realisiert werden. Eine solche Oberfläche präsentiert dem HMD und dem Nicht-HMD-Benutzer an der gleichen physikalischen Position die gleichen Informationen. Durch die Untersuchung von vier Feedbackmodalitäten stellen wir Designrichtlinien zur Touch-Interaktion zur Verfügung. Die Richtlinien ermöglichen die Interaktion mit einer solchen geteilten Oberfläche durch einen HMD-Anwender ermöglichen. Weiterhin untersuchen wir die Möglichkeit, den Nicht-HMD-Benutzer während einer Zusammenarbeit über den Zustand des HMD Benutzers zu informieren, z.B., wenn der HMD Nutzer gegenüber der realen Welt unachtsam ist. Zu diesem Zweck schlage ich die Verwendung eines frontseitigen Displays, das an dem HMD angebracht ist. Zusätzlich bieten unsere Studien Einblicke, die den Designprozess für eine lokale, gemischt präsente Zusammenarbeit unterstützen. Zweitens betrachten wir die bisher unberücksichtigten Herausforderungen beim Einsatz von HMDs im öffentlichen Umfeld. Ein Nutzung von HMDs in diesen Umgebungen wird durch die aktuelle Entwicklung von HMDs, die alle notwendige Hardware in einem tragbaren Gerät enthalten, zur Realität. Verwandte Arbeiten, insbesondere aus der Forschung an Public Displays, befassen sich bereits mit der Nutzung von Display basierter Technologien im öffentlichen Kontext. Der Formfaktor des HMDs, die Notwendigkeit ein HMD auf den Kopf zu Ziehen und vor allem die visuelle und mentale Ausgrenzung des HMD-Anwenders sind neue und noch nicht verstanden Herausforderung in diesen Umgebungen. Ich schlage einen Design Space für halböffentliche (z.B. Konferenzräume) und öffentliche Bereiche (z.B. Marktplätze) vor. Mit einer explorativen Feldstudie gewinnen wir Einblicke in die Auswirkungen der visuellen und physischen Trennung eines HMD-Anwenders von umliegenden Nicht-HMD-Anwendern. Weiterhin stellen wir eine Methode vor, die unterstützt, den unbeaufsichtigten Einsatz von HMDs in öffentlichen Umgebungen zu entwerfen und zu bewerten, das \emph{audience funnel flow model for HMDs}. Drittens untersuchen wir Methoden, die geeignet sind, HMD-basierte Erfahrungen im Alltagskontext zu überwachen und zu bewerten. Eine zentrale Messgröße ist die Erfahrung der Präsenz in der virtuellen Welt, d.h. das Gefühl des "dort seins". HMDs für Verbraucher sind bereits in der Lage, hoch immersive Erlebnisse zu schaffen, was zu einer starken Präsenzerfahrung im VR führt. Daher argumentieren wir, dass es wichtig ist, die verbleibenden Störungen während der Erfahrung zu finden und zu verstehen. Bestehende Methoden aus dem Laborkontext sind entweder nicht präzise genug, z.B. Fragebögen, um diese Störungen zu finden oder verursachen einen hohen Aufwand in ihrer Anwendung und Auswertung, z.B. physilogische Messungen. In einer Literaturübersicht zeigen wir, dass die aktuelle Forschung stark auf fragebogenbasierte Ansätze angewiesen ist. Ich verbessern aktuelle qualitative Ansätze -- Interviews, Fragebögen -- um die zeitliche Variation einer VR-Erfahrung bewertbar zu machen. Ich schlagen eine Zeichnungsmethode vor die Brüche in der Präsenzerfahrung erkennt, den Benutzer bei der Reflexion einer HMD-basierten Erfahrung hilft und die Kommunikation zwischen einem Interviewer und dem HMD-Benutzer unterstützt. In der gleichen Veröffentlichung schlage ich ein Modell vor, das die objektive Beschreibung der zeitlichen Variationen einer Präsenzerfahrung von Anfang bis Ende ermöglicht. Weiterhin präsentieren und erforschen ich das Konzept der Elektroenzephalographie, um den visuellen Stress eines HMD-Anwenders objektiv zu erfassen. Die objektive Erkennung unterstützt den Einsatz von HMDs im privaten und industriellen Kontext, da sie die Gesundheit des Benutzers sicherstellt. Mit meiner Arbeit möchte ich auf die neuen Herausforderungen beim Einsatz von VR-Technologien im Alltag aufmerksam machen. Ich hoffe, dass meine Konzepte, Methoden und Evaluierungswerkzeuge der Forschung und Entwicklung über den Einsatz von HMDs dienen werden. Insbesondere möchte ich den Einsatz im alltäglichen sozialen Kontext fördern und damit eine bereichernde Erfahrung für alle schaffen

Effectiveness of a Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display System-based Developmental Eye Movement Test

By transplanting the Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) test chart to a virtual reality head-mounted display (VR HMD) system, this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the DEM test for measuring dynamic visual acuity.Thirty-nine adults aged 20–39 years of both genders were the subjects of the study. After undergoing measurement of their visual function, through medical questionnaire, interpupillary distance, near point of convergence (NPC), near point of accommodation (NPA), and far and near phoria, the correlation between the tests was analyzed performing DEM vertical, horizontal test and VR HMD DEM (VHD) vertical, horizontal test.NPC and NPA decreased significantly after the VHD test, while phoria did not. The horizontal was quicker than the vertical in the DEM test, and vice versa in the VHD test. DEM was quicker than VHD in both the vertical and horizontal directions. There was no notable difference in error frequency between DEM and VHD. In terms of DEM and VHD test, there was no notable difference in the short-range IPD and subjective symptoms of the top 10 and bottom 10 subjects. There was also no notable difference between the exercise and non-exercise groups and the game and non-game groups.The performance time for VHD, in which the chart must be read while moving the body, was longer than that of DEM. Therefore, based on the consistency of the results of both tests and the lack of a difference in error frequency and subjective symptoms, the VHD equipment proposed in this thesis is as effective as dynamic visual acuity measurement equipment. In addition, the lack of a difference between the exercise and non-exercise groups and the game and non-game groups demonstrated that the amount of exercise and game by an ordinary person does not influence their dynamic visual function

Remote Visual Observation of Real Places Through Virtual Reality Headsets

Virtual Reality has always represented a fascinating yet powerful opportunity that has attracted studies and technology developments, especially since the latest release on the market of powerful high-resolution and wide field-of-view VR headsets. While the great potential of such VR systems is common and accepted knowledge, issues remain related to how to design systems and setups capable of fully exploiting the latest hardware advances. The aim of the proposed research is to study and understand how to increase the perceived level of realism and sense of presence when remotely observing real places through VR headset displays. Hence, to produce a set of guidelines that give directions to system designers about how to optimize the display-camera setup to enhance performance, focusing on remote visual observation of real places. The outcome of this investigation represents unique knowledge that is believed to be very beneficial for better VR headset designs towards improved remote observation systems. To achieve the proposed goal, this thesis presents a thorough investigation of existing literature and previous researches, which is carried out systematically to identify the most important factors ruling realism, depth perception, comfort, and sense of presence in VR headset observation. Once identified, these factors are further discussed and assessed through a series of experiments and usability studies, based on a predefined set of research questions. More specifically, the role of familiarity with the observed place, the role of the environment characteristics shown to the viewer, and the role of the display used for the remote observation of the virtual environment are further investigated. To gain more insights, two usability studies are proposed with the aim of defining guidelines and best practices. The main outcomes from the two studies demonstrate that test users can experience an enhanced realistic observation when natural features, higher resolution displays, natural illumination, and high image contrast are used in Mobile VR. In terms of comfort, simple scene layouts and relaxing environments are considered ideal to reduce visual fatigue and eye strain. Furthermore, sense of presence increases when observed environments induce strong emotions, and depth perception improves in VR when several monocular cues such as lights and shadows are combined with binocular depth cues. Based on these results, this investigation then presents a focused evaluation on the outcomes and introduces an innovative eye-adapted High Dynamic Range (HDR) approach, which the author believes to be of great improvement in the context of remote observation when combined with eye-tracked VR headsets. Within this purpose, a third user study is proposed to compare static HDR and eye-adapted HDR observation in VR, to assess that the latter can improve realism, depth perception, sense of presence, and in certain cases even comfort. Results from this last study confirmed the author expectations, proving that eye-adapted HDR and eye tracking should be used to achieve best visual performances for remote observation in modern VR systems

TFOS lifestyle: Impact of the digital environment on the ocular surface

Eye strain when performing tasks reliant on a digital environment can cause discomfort, affecting productivity and quality of life. Digital eye strain (the preferred terminology) was defined as “the development or exacerbation of recurrent ocular symptoms and/or signs related specifically to digital device screen viewing”. Digital eye strain prevalence of up to 97% has been reported, due to no previously agreed definition/diagnostic criteria and limitations of current questionnaires which fail to differentiate such symptoms from those arising from non-digital tasks. Objective signs such as blink rate or critical flicker frequency changes are not ‘diagnostic’ of digital eye strain nor validated as sensitive. The mechanisms attributed to ocular surface disease exacerbation are mainly reduced blink rate and completeness, partial/uncorrected refractive error and/or underlying binocular vision anomalies, together with the cognitive demand of the task and differences in position, size, brightness and glare compared to an equivalent non-digital task. In general, interventions are not well established; patients experiencing digital eye strain should be provided with a full refractive correction for the appropriate working distances. Improving blinking, optimizing the work environment and encouraging regular breaks may help. Based on current, best evidence, blue-light blocking interventions do not appear to be an effective management strategy. More and larger clinical trials are needed to assess artificial tear effectiveness for relieving digital eye strain, particularly comparing different constituents; a systematic review within the report identified use of secretagogues and warm compress/humidity goggles/ambient humidifiers as promising strategies, along with nutritional supplementation (such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and berry extracts)

Seeing Our Blind Spots: Smart Glasses-Based Simulation to Increase Design Students’ Awareness of Visual Impairment

As the population ages, many will acquire visual impairments. To improve design for these users, it is essential to build awareness of their perspective during everyday routines, especially for design students. Although several visual impairment simulation toolkits exist in both academia and as commercial products, analog, and static visual impairment simulation tools do not simulate effects concerning the user’s eye movements. Meanwhile, VR and video see-through-based AR simulation methods are constrained by smaller fields of view when compared with the natural human visual field and also suffer from vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC) which correlates with visual fatigue, headache, and dizziness. In this paper, we enable an on-the-go, VAC-free, visually impaired experience by leveraging our optical see-through glasses. The FOV of our glasses is approximately 160 degrees for horizontal and 140 degrees for vertical, and participants can experience both losses of central vision and loss of peripheral vision at different severities. Our evaluation (n =14) indicates that the glasses can significantly and effectively reduce visual acuity and visual field without causing typical motion sickness symptoms such as headaches and or visual fatigue. Questionnaires and qualitative feedback also showed how the glasses helped to increase participants’ awareness of visual impairment