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US 5,686,987 AGranted
Methods for assessing visual tasks to establish desirable lighting and viewing conditions for performance of tasks; apparatus; and, applications
AssigneeOrfield Associates, Inc.
InventorsFrederick G. Hewitt, Steven J. Orfield
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of establishing a lighting system and viewing environment for conduct of visual task is provided. The method generally includes steps of providing a visual performance lab, conducting a visual performance study, and constructing an industrial viewing station based upon the results of the visual performance study. The invention also concerns provision of a preferred visual performance lab and development of preferred industrial viewing stations.
Claims15
A method of establishing a lighting system for conduct of a visual task;
- said method including the steps of:
- (a) providing a visual performance lab including at least:
- (i) a viewing station;
- (ii) an arrangement for selectively positioning an object to be viewed and manipulating an orientation of the object relative to the viewing station;
- (iii) a selectively controlled lighting arrangement;
- said selectively controlled lighting arrangement including at least:
- (A) an intensity control for selectively modifying an intensity of task light illuminating the object to be viewed;
- and
- (B) a background luminance control for selectively controlling background luminance viewable from the viewing station;
- (b) conducting a visual performance study by positioning a viewer at the viewing station and selectively modifying each of:
- the orientation of the object being viewed;
- the intensity of task light illuminating the object being viewed;
- and, the background luminance, to determine preferred orientation, task light intensity and background luminance for viewing the object;
- and
- (c) constructing an industrial viewing station for the object;
- said step of constructing including a step of providing selectively controlled lighting of the object at the viewing station to implement the preferred orientation, task light intensity, and background luminance determined in step (b);
- said step of providing selectively controlled lighting of the object at the viewing station including a step of providing a visual surround covering a portion of the viewing station in order to block outside light, said visual surround including a luminous surface therein.
14 more elements
A visual performance lab comprising:
- (a) a viewing station;
- (b) an arrangement for selectively positioning an object to be viewed and manipulating an orientation of the object relative to the viewing station, the arrangement for selectively positioning an object to be viewed having a center;
- and
- (c) a selectively controlled lighting arrangement, said selectively controlled lighting arrangement including at least:
- (i) an intensity control for selectively modifying an intensity of task lighting illuminating the object to be viewed;
- (ii) a background luminance control for selectively controlling background luminance viewable from the viewing station;
- and,
- (iii) a task lighting direction control for selectively modifying a direction of task light illuminating the object to be viewed;
- said task lighting direction control including at least a light source platform coupled to the arrangement for selectively positioning an object to be viewed such that the light source platform rotates horizontally about a vertical axis through the center of the arrangement for selectively positioning an object to be viewed at about twice the horizontal angle as the angle of rotation of the arrangement for selectively positioning an object to be viewed.
6 more elements
An industrial viewing station comprising:
- (a) a lighting arrangement having:
- (i) a first selected lighting condition for a first viewing task;
- (ii) a second selected lighting condition for a second viewing task;
- (b) a control system for selectively actuating said first lighting condition and said second lighting condition;
- and
- (c) a visual surround covering a portion of the viewing station in order to block outside light, said visual surround including a luminous surface therein.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.