Filling or Outlining Shapes With Color: The Effects on a Visual Search Task

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA211067 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Simplified tactical situation plots were created with shape symbology i.e., ship, aircraft, submarine, unknownoutlined or filled with color to represent affiliation. Task times were recorded for subjects to identify quadrants which contained the greatest number of a specified target e.g., hostile submarines, unknown aircraft, etc.in each condition. Results confirmed that subjects task times were significantly less in the color-filled condition. An explanation for the effect, how the search worked, and implications for coding tactical displays are discussed. Keywords Tactical Symbology, Color Coding, Visual Processing, Human-computer Interaction, Man-machine interface, Display Systems, Color vision.

Author(s):
Cohen, David
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL AIR DEVELOPMENT CENTER WARMINSTER PA AIR VEHICLE AND CREW SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY DEPT
Descriptive Note:
Final rept.
Supplementary Note:
Original contains color plates: All DTIC/NTIS reproductions will be in black and white. DOI: 10.21236/ADA211067
Pagination:
0020

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
NADC-89004-60
Task Number(s):
W15880000
Project Number(s):
W1149
Monitor Series:
NAVAIRSYSCOM
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.5.2_Task; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_4_Logistics; JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing
Communities of Interest:
Biomedical
Descriptor(s):
*COLOR CODING, *VISUAL PERCEPTION, *SEARCHING, *DISPLAY SYSTEMS, *MAN COMPUTER INTERFACE, *MAN MACHINE SYSTEMS, QUADRANTS, PLOTTING, SIMPLIFICATION, MILITARY TACTICS, SHAPE, AIRCRAFT, IMAGE PROCESSING, SYMBOLS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Anatomy and Physiology, Human Factors Engineering and Man Machine Systems
Keyword(s):
PE64221N, WUWL680
Report Date:
1988 Aug 01