Preliminary Evaluation of the Light Pen as the Key Component in a Microcomputer-Based Simulator

The Army Research Institute has developed a low-cost, microcomputer- based, part-task trainer named MACS (Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator). The key hardware provides the microcomputer with X and Y coordinates signifying where the light pen was aimed at that moment. The purpose of the present re...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Schroeder, James E, Cook, Jr, W A
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ARMY RESEARCH
BRIGHTNESS
CLOSURES
COLORS
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
Computer Hardware
Computer Programming and Software
COMPUTER PROGRAMS
CONFIGURATIONS
GLARE
GUNNERY TRAINERS
Guns
Humanities and History
INTERACTIONS
LIGHT
LIGHT PENS
LOW COSTS
MACS(MULTIPURPOSE ARCADE COMBAT SIMULATOR)
MICROCOMPUTERS
Optics
PE63743A
POSITION(LOCATION)
RANGE(DISTANCE)
RELIABILITY
SCREENS(DISPLAYS)
SENSITIVITY
SIMULATORS
SMALL ARMS
SWITCHES
TEST AND EVALUATION
Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods
TRIGGER CIRCUITS
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Summary:The Army Research Institute has developed a low-cost, microcomputer- based, part-task trainer named MACS (Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator). The key hardware provides the microcomputer with X and Y coordinates signifying where the light pen was aimed at that moment. The purpose of the present research was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the reliability of the light pen and determine the extent that some real-world variables influence it (e.g., ambient light, glare, distance from the monitor to the light pen, etc.) The reliability of the light pen was found to vary widely depending on the conditions of the test. The most important finding was an interaction between screen brightness and location on the screen in their joint effect on light-pen reliability. The light pen's reliability as found to be unaffected by some of the variables (e.g., ambient light and trigger switch closure). The results of these test will provide valuable information about the hardware and/or software changes needed to maximize the reliability of the MACS system.