Document viewing: display requirements in image management
Thomas T. van Overbeek · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1991
The adoption of document image processing is resulting in the CRT replacing paper as the primary medium for written information in the office environment. The anticipated rapid adoption of this technology will mean that more workers will be using CRTs for larger portions of the workday. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that the percentage of workers using CRTs will increase from 15% in 1989 to 50% in 1997. Increased CRT usage has brought with it the problem of increased eyestrain resulting in sub-optimal productivity and worker discomfort. It is well documented, but not widely known, that reading from commonly used 60 Hz 24-line CRTs is 30% slower and is the cause of increased eye fatigue when compared to reading from hard-copy paper. The culprit is poor CRT image quality; and it dramatically affects users who spend three or more hours a day using CRT screens. In order for document image processing to be accepted by users, computer displays must be much closer to the display quality of paper, which commonly used displays on PCs today do not approach. The minimum requirements for displays used for document image processing are the ability to display an entire 81/2 X 11 page and have the information on the page be easily readable without manipulation of the image by zooming or scrolling. In other words, the image must be as easy to read as paper. Displays that meet these criteria are called 'paper-like displays.'