Standard Test Method for Determining Visual Acuity and Field of View of On-Board Video Systems for Teleoperation of Robots for Urban Search and Rescue Applications

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Responder-defined requirements for these test methods are documented in a preliminary document entitled “Statement of Requirements for Urban Search and Rescue Robot Performance Standards.”  
Field of View is important in terms of the ability of the operator to drive the robot. Looking at the world through a zoom lens is like “looking through a soda straw.” Looking with a 30 or 40° field of view lens is like “driving with blinders on.” On the other hand, using a very wide field of view lens (with a field of view of 120 or 150°), the operator’s use of optic flow to cue depth perception is severely degraded and navigating in a tight environment is very difficult. Multiple cameras are recommended, with one providing a very wide field of view or all together providing a very wide field of view.
Far Vision Visual Acuity is important for both unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and ground vehicles for wide area survey. Zoom is required for ground vehicles for wide area survey.  
Near Vision Visual Acuity is important for ground vehicles for wide area survey in examining objects at close range and also for small robots which operate in constrained spaces.
Testing in the dark is important for small robots since they must sometimes operate in spaces with no ambient lighting.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of several key parameters of video systems for remote operations. It is initially intended for applications of robots for Urban Search and Rescue but is sufficiently general to be used for marine or other remote platforms. Those parameters are (1) field of view of the camera system, (2) visual acuity at far distances with both ambient lighting and lighting on-board the robot, (3) visual acuity at near distances, again in both light and dark environments, and (4), if available, visual acuity in both light and dark environments with zoom lens capability.
1.2 These tests measure only end-to-end capability, that is, they determine the resolution of the images on the display screen at the operator control unit since that is the important issue for the user.  
1.3 This test method is intended to be used for writing procurement specifications and for acceptance testing for robots for urban search and rescue applications.
1.4 This test method will use the Snellen fraction to report visual acuity; readers may wish to convert to decimal notation to improve intuitive understanding if they are more familiar with that notation. Distances will be given in metres with English units in parentheses following.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Publication Date
31-Jan-2008
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ASTM E2566-08 - Standard Test Method for Determining Visual Acuity and Field of View of On-Board Video Systems for Teleoperation of Robots for Urban Search and Rescue Applications
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2566 − 08
Standard Test Method for
Determining Visual Acuity and Field of View of On-Board
Video Systems for Teleoperation of Robots for Urban
1
Search and Rescue Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2566; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.1.2 optotype, n—character used on a chart for testing
visual acuity.
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthemeasurementofseveralkey
2.1.2.1 Discussion—Optotypes are generally built ona5by
parameters of video systems for remote operations. It is
5 grid, with the size for “standard” vision subtending a square
initially intended for applications of robots for Urban Search
5 min of arc on a side. This makes one grid element 1 min of
and Rescue but is sufficiently general to be used for marine or
other remote platforms. Those parameters are (1) field of view arc square.
of the camera system, (2) visual acuity at far distances with
2.1.3 tumbling E, n—specific optotype that can be drawn in
both ambient lighting and lighting on-board the robot, (3)
various orientations (facing left, right, up, or down) and in
visual acuity at near distances, again in both light and dark
various sizes to create an eye chart (see Fig. 1).
environments, and (4), if available, visual acuity in both light
2.1.3.1 Discussion—This optoptype is reported in the litera-
and dark environments with zoom lens capability.
ture as being maximally distinguishable. Eye charts with
1.2 These tests measure only end-to-end capability, that is,
Tumbling Es are available commercially for use at different
they determine the resolution of the images on the display
distances.
screen at the operator control unit since that is the important
2.1.4 standard vision, n—ability to resolve target features
issue for the user.
subtending 1 min of arc.
1.3 This test method is intended to be used for writing
2.1.5 visual acuity, n—ability to resolve features subtending
procurement specifications and for acceptance testing for
some angle, as compared with “standard” vision measured at
robots for urban search and rescue applications.
the same distance.
1.4 This test method will use the Snellen fraction to report
2.1.5.1 Discussion—AnangleΘsubtendsafeatureofsizeh
visual acuity; readers may wish to convert to decimal notation
at a distance d, of size 2h at a distance of 2d, of size 3h at a
to improve intuitive understanding if they are more familiar
distance 3d, and so on. If 2d is the “standard” measurement
with that notation. Distances will be given in metres with
distanceof6m(20ft),aneyechartforuseat3m(10ft)would
English units in parentheses following.
have characters of h high rather than 2h high and the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
measurementofvisualacuitywouldbethesame.SeeFig.2for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
an illustration of the angle/distance relationship.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 2.1.6 Snellen fraction, n—a measure of visual acuity.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2.1.6.1 Discussion—The subject is placed a standard dis-
tance from an eye chart, typically 6 m (20 ft). The subject is
2. Terminology
asked to identify the line with the smallest characters that he
can resolve. The Snellen fraction is the ratio of the distance at
2.1 Definitions:
which that line would be resolved by a subject with standard
2.1.1 field of view, n—angle subtended by the largest object
vision to the standard test distance. Thus, a subject with
that can be imaged with the video system.
standard vision would have 6/6 (20/20) vision.
2.1.7 remote operation, n—act of controlling a distant robot
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on
on a continuous or intermittent basis via tethered or radio-
Homeland Security Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
linked devices while being provided with sensory information
E54.08 on Operational Equipment.
(for example, visual information through cameras onboard the
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published March 2008. DOI: 10.1520/
E2566-08. robot).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2566 − 08
FIG. 1 Tumbling E Optotype in Various Orientations
FIG. 2 Angle Subtended by Various Size Objects at Various Distances
2.1.7.1 Discussion—Remote operation includes teleopera- recommended, with one prov
...

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