Encoding apparent motion in animated mimic displays

Animated mimic displays represent system components, the physical connections between components, and the analogical flow of information or resources. These displays have the potential to improve the effectiveness of both training and real-time performance. One animation technique that is particularly efficient (from a computational perspective) is color table animation, which produces a subjective impression of movement through apparent motion. Display variables likely to influence the effectiveness of apparent motion were investigated in two experiments. The primary experimental manipulations were the levels of chromatic and luminance contrast in the displays (temporal frequency and direction of apparent motion were also varied). The results suggest that both types of contrast can be used to encode apparent motion but that luminance contrast is more effective. Several additional variables likely to influence the effectiveness of animation were held constant and are discussed briefly.