Perceptual response to visual noise and display media

Abstract

The present project was designed to follow up an earlier investigation in which perceptual adaptation in response to the use of Night Vision Goggles, or image intensification (I squared) systems, such as those employed in the military were studied. Our chief concern in the earlier studies was with the dynamic visual noise that is a byproduct of the I(sup 2) technology: under low light conditions, there is a great deal of 'snow' or sporadic 'twinkling' of pixels in the I(sup 2) display which is more salient as the ambient light levels are lower. Because prolonged exposure to static visual noise produces strong adaptation responses, we reasoned that the dynamic visual noise of I(sup 2) displays might have a similar effect, which could have implications for their long term use. However, in the series of experiments reported last year, no evidence at all of such aftereffects following extended exposure to I(sup 2) displays were found. This finding surprised us, and led us to propose the following studies: (1) an investigation of dynamic visual noise and its capacity to produce after effects; and (2) an investigation of the perceptual consequences of characteristics of the display media