Study of Two Image Interpreter Map Displays

Book excerpt: Comparison was made of two methods of displaying reference maps for the use of image interpreters in a tactical image interpretation facility (TIIF). Image interpreters were required to perform two tasks -- to match imagery to a reference map and then to estimate the coordinates of a point on the image. Time taken to reach correct solutions was compared when reference maps were displayed from simulated slide chips (map sections projected onto a fixed screen) and when hard-copy map chips (standard presentation) were used. Measures of performance with both display modes were obtained under experimental conditions where the image would appear on one or two chips. Two conditions of imagery orientation for each map display mode were also imposed: one in which position of the imagery was fixed and one in which the imagery could be freely oriented to the map display. Separate analyses of variance were conducted on time scores from the matching and locating tasks. The following major conclusions were derived: (1) Display of map information upon a screen instead of by hard copy increased time taken by an interpreter to match imagery and to determine map coordinates of an object on an image; the longer time required when the interpreters used map chips was attributable to need to study two slides when the imaged area lay on the boundary of one or both chips. (2) Freedom to orient an image relative to a map display did not affect time taken to complete either the matching or the locating task. (Author).