Development of Linear and Differential Video Magnifiers for Inspection Tasks

A computer programme specifically designed for producing the desired magnification effects and the simulated visual inspection task was developed. The examined factors included magnification method, magnifier dimensions, magnifier shape, magnification power, density of background objects, target and nontarget, and sensory cues. The variable visual acuity nature of human vision across fovea and periphery prompted the need to study the novel differential video magnifiers, in comparison to the traditional linear magnifier. With differential magnification, outer-area objects were magnified at a level higher than the inner-area objects. Two types of differential magnifiers, namely differential linear and differential nonlinear magnifiers were outlined.