Prediction model for discomfort luminance levels of head-mounted displays

Abstract

To predict the luminance threshold of head-mounted displays (HMDs), which can cause discomfort due to excessive brightness, a psychophysical experiment was conducted with 20 participants through a yes/no task under a wide luminance range (2-284 cd/m(2)). The participants were asked to adapt to the luminance of the HMD and further answer whether the test luminance of the HMD caused discomfort. The discomfort threshold was determined for each individual at each adaptation luminance, and a prediction model was proposed based on the mean value of each participant's discomfort luminance level. The proposed model represents that individuals may experience discomfort using an HMD with a luminance of about 280 cd/m(2), regardless of whether they are provided time to adapt to the luminance for 2 min.