ABSTRACT

The progress of technology in computers has made the in-vehicle navigation system of the global positioning systems (GPS) be integrated with communication, information, entertainment and personal service products. However, if the in-vehicle navigation system (IVNS) provides inadequate user interface information, the user might have difficulty in operating the system. The graphics images in GPS systems are very attractive and cognitive to the user, but an IVNS needs the character images as an auxiliary tool to provide more accurate information with the user. Character images in current IVNSs are seldom adjustable and the colors between characters and backgrounds are not planned with high legibility or cognition. The research proposed an integrated evaluation procedure using the back-propagation neural network to recommend the optimum cognition of character images based on the investigation of user visual cognition. The portable navigation device (PND) was used for the design of character images. Computer software of Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 was used to build an interactive and simulated navigation screen system for tested subjects to identify the most suitable and legible display. The optimum character images design alternative recommended in this research will provide designers with a reference for developing a more efficient and use-friendly operation interface of the in-vehicle navigation system.