EWG:Draft Oct 26 Flashing

2.1-C - Flashing

This page is the text proposed in the Nov Plenary Meeting.

Go to the Oct 26 Draft of this Provision

Go to the Sandbox of this Provision

Proposed text in Oct 26 draft:
Products must not flash more than 3 times in any one second period, unless:

• Flashing created by software or content is under the general flash and red flash threshold provisions in Section 3.

• Flashing created by hardware is either:
  • less than YYY candelas; or
  • less than 20 candelas/sq meter and contiguously occupies more than a total

of 0.006 steradians or more within any 10 degrees of visual field (25% of any 10 degree visual field).

Comments from Gregg V

• We are still working on the Hardware flash definitions for
  • screen flicker (not content)
  • indicators and visual alerts
• Impact should say: "Negative cost - The change saves money (e.g. special circuitry not needed to control frequency of status LEDs) and provides additional flexibility to industry for non-critical stimuli."
• Possible advisory note: "NOTE: Screen flicker of 60hz is safe for most (85%) but refresh frequencies of 75hz or greater are recommended where possible."

Comments from ITAA
a. If it is possible that a computer with a small, dim monitor pass, and a computer with a large, bright monitor fail, which product does not comply? The computer, the software, the content, or the monitor?

b. "Under the general flash and red flash threshold" means “less than some thresholds expressed elsewhere?” Reference?

Replies to ITAA from Gregg V
a. There currently is no provision dealing with monitors. Only the provisions for software and Web have been completed. The Display Provision is still being worked on by a subcommittee of hardware subcommittee (consisting of Rob N, Tom A and Gregg V).

REGARDING THE 'SOFTWARE/CONTENT/MONITOR question: Any of the three could fail. The Monitor; if it flickers itself with no content being displayed (the monitor is not responsible for what is displayed on it). The software or content could fail if they generate images that flash in a way that violates either flash threshold. For content it is a function of the content not the brightness of the display - so failures by software or content are independent of the display.

b. "General Flash and Red Flash Threshold" are defined in the Definition section. (Suggestion: all defined terms should be marked when they are used, or linked to the definition, so they can be easily identified.)