Adaptation of Bridge System Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) to Promote Dark Adaptation
Abstract
Ongoing operations involving Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) on the bridges of naval vessels demonstrate that both display hardware and the software's on-screen GUI contribute heavily to light pollution in an environment where rapid dark adaptation is required. On the software side, existing displays may have a separate night mode, but they do not always adequately reduce overall light output or maintain color-coding capabilities. Other applications rely on hardware mitigations such as neutral density or colored filters. The Bridge Lighting program established by Naval Sea Systems Commands Surface Ship Readiness and Sustainment Program Office, PMS 443, has developed a Style and Design Guidance document to provide a software-based approach for adapting existing GUIs to a low-to-no-light environment. The guidelines have been validated through application to ongoing redesigns of surface navy bridge systems, and the color palette has been validated in a low light environment to provide equivalent readability between colors across multiple text size and luminance levels. The color palette includes four different contrast levels for a set of common colors. Color values are defined using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines contrast calculations, providing four levels of contrast from Very High to Low for each color. The palette is applied by assigning values to individual display elements for attributes of priority, size, dynamic capability, and fidelity, with the sum used to determine a new contrast level for each element. The document also provides guidelines or rules that designers can follow when working out the translation values, along with examples of how these rules can be applied to different UI elements or aspects of those elements (e.g. MouseOver state). Using this method, displays for ship bridges and any other locations requiring prioritization of users dark adaptation can reduce ambient light output without sacrificing usability or readability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 10, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1210579
Entities
People
- Adam R. Goetz
- Carlton Craddock
- John J. Winters
- John P. Plummer
- Taylor Shupsky
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center