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G Sweitzer

Publications and source records attributed to G Sweitzer.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Ergonomic guidelines for using notebook personal computers. Technical Committee on Human-Computer Interaction, International Ergonomics Association.

In the 1980's, the visual display terminal (VDT) was introduced in workplaces of many countries. Soon thereafter, an upsurge in reported cases of related health problems, such as musculoskeletal disorders and eyestrain, was seen. Recently, the flat panel display or notebook personal computer (PC) became the most remarkable feature in modern workplaces with VDTs and even in homes. A proactive approach must be taken to avert foreseeable ergonomic and occupational health problems from the use of this new technology. Because of its distinct physical and optical characteristics, the ergonomic requirements for notebook PCs in terms of machine layout, workstation design, lighting conditions, among others, should be different from the CRT-based computers. The Japan Ergonomics Society (JES) technical committee came up with a set of guidelines for notebook PC use following exploratory discussions that dwelt on its ergonomic aspects. To keep in stride with this development, the Technical Committee on Human-Computer Interaction under the auspices of the International Ergonomics Association worked towards the international issuance of the guidelines. This paper unveils the result of this collaborative effort.

Equipment Design↗

Pupillary response among VDU users in daylighted workplaces.

Daylighted workplaces can complicate the viewing of visual display unit (VDU) tasks. Incoming direct- and/or reflected-daylight components can distort surface luminance distributions in both the direct- and screen-reflected visual fields. Pupillary response to these sources moreover may differ significantly, for example, between window- and interior-exposures, affecting bilateral depth of field and accommodation. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that pupil diameter is a valid ergonomic indicator of visual comfort for viewing targets at workplaces with varying daylighting exposures. This hypothesis is tested by measuring the pupillary response of four VDU users, each while viewing three targets at each of six different workplaces in a daylighted room. An iriscorder is used to record pupil diameter independently for left and right eyes in response to keyboard, screen, and background-surround surface luminances. The significant differences in pupil diameter among the three targets at the six positions can be explained by the luminance differences rendered by the incoming daylight. On this basis, it is further hypothesized that smaller pupil diameters in response to a limited range of graduated luminances correspond to more comfortable viewing conditions. Provision of these viewing conditions hold implications for VDU workplace layout, work organization, and control of electric lighting and cooling loads.

Adult↗