VISTO: An open-source device to measure exposure time in psychological experiments

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Experimental Psychology
• Psychophysics

Background:

• Accurate control of visual stimulus timing is crucial for studying higher cognitive processes.
• Existing software often fails to provide precise control over stimulus exposure time, leading to variability.
• Variability in stimulus presentation can confound results in cognitive and psychophysical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present VISTO, a novel Arduino-based device for accurate measurement of visual stimulus onset and offset.
• To enable precise control and synchronization of visual stimuli in experimental settings.
• To address the challenge of stimulus timing variability in cognitive research.

Main Methods:

• VISTO utilizes an Arduino platform to measure stimulus luminance waveforms.
• The device quantifies the exact onset and offset times of visual stimuli.
• Synchronization between stimulus presentation and trigger signals is assessed.

Main Results:

• VISTO accurately measures luminance profiles and stimulus exposure duration.
• The device demonstrates reliable synchronization with trigger signals.
• Calibration allows VISTO to adapt to different experimental monitors.

Conclusions:

• VISTO provides a reliable method for precise stimulus timing control and measurement.
• The device enhances experimental rigor by reducing timing variability in visual stimulus presentation.
• VISTO is adaptable for various research settings, including those with advanced display technologies.