Effects of Average Luminance Level of Displayed Images, Viewers Age, and Screen Illuminance on Preferred Luminance of LCDs

Abstract

We investigated what influences the average luminance level (ALL) of displayed images, screen illuminance, and viewers ages had on the preferred luminance of LCDs. Twenty young subjects (mean age: 21.8) and 24 seniors (mean age: 68.9) adjusted the luminance of a 17-inch 1000: 1 LCD monitor to their preferred levels under different experimental conditions. The results indicate that the preferred luminance of LCDs corresponded to the following formula: Lp=k×ALL^α. This is where Lp is the peak white luminance of the LCDs, k is a constant, and ALL is the average luminance level of the displayed images. Here, α is a constant from −0.19 to −0.20 for the seniors and from −0.14 to −0.17 for the young subjects. The influences of age-related changes in vision and ambient lighting on the luminance requirements for LCDs are also discussed. These results can be applied to the design of luminance-control systems for LCDs.