Abstract
This study developed a model for setting the adaptive luminance contrast between text and background for enhancing reading performance and visual comfort on smartphone displays. The study was carried out in two experiments. In Experiment I, a user test was conducted to identify the optimal luminance contrast with regard to subjects’ reading performance, measured by lines of text reading and visual comfort, assessed by self-report after the reading. Based on the empirical results of the test, an ideal adaptive model which decreases the luminance contrast gradually with passage of time was developed. In Experiment II, a validation test involving reading performance, visual comfort, and physiological stress measured by a brainwave analysis using an electroencephalogram confirmed that the proposed adaptive luminance contrast is adequate for prolonged text reading on smartphone displays. The developed model enhances both reading performance and visual comfort as well as reduces the energy consumption of a smartphone; hence, it is expected that this study will be applied to diverse kinds of visual display terminals.
Highlights
Reading is one of the most important ways of communicating information
When reading on a smartphone display, the luminance contrast between the text and background has a great influence on visual perception
The adaptive model requires lower energy consumption compared to current smartphone displays; it has a potential for saving battery power
Summary
Reading is one of the most important ways of communicating information. Problems related to legibility and readability have been studied for decades, mainly focusing on printed texts.[1,2] as portable digital devices have become more accessible in everyday life,[3] paper reading materials are being replaced with visual display terminals. Compared with printed texts which are seen through recognizing reflected lights, digital displays are a self-illuminant surface which emit light, resulting in more stress to the human eye.[4,5] recent studies have devoted more attention to discovering the appropriate luminance on displays such as smartphones, e-books, and tablet PCs.[4,6,7,8] The studies suggest particular luminances to prevent visual fatigue caused by displaying materials, but these suggestions lack careful consideration of the human visual system. People do not perceive luminance in absolute terms but rather they see luminance contrast.[9,10] When reading on a smartphone display, the luminance contrast between the text and background has a great influence on visual perception.
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