Ergonomic principles associated with integration of controls and displays

Ergonomic principles associated with integration of controls and displays 

Orientation of controls and displays In the person-machine system 

Controls and displays play a critical part in the two-way communication which is essential if there is to be effective use by persons of VDUs, machinery, tools and equipment. The interaction involves perception cognition (processing the information) decision making and action or response, usually through the psychomotor system, i.e. brain-nerves-muscles . 

It is a cormnon experience that the way information is presented can affect the way we perceive it and so the interpretation we put on it. Some ways of presenting information require less attention to interpretation than others. For example, an analogue display (white needle on black circular dial) of vehicle speed is easily interpreted at a glance, while a display in digit form, with digits artywhere between 57 and 62 dtrring the observation, takes more effort. 

As far as controls are concerned, some are easier to adjust than others. Rotating controls on volume are easier to set than linear controls or pttsh-button digital controls. 

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