Monitoring attention with embedded frequency markers for simulation environments

Abstract

Monitoring both overt and covert attention shifts is critical for the accurate real-time assessment of user state in training or simulation environments. Current attention-monitoring methods predominantly include eye-tracking, but eye-tracking alone is blind to covert shifts in visual attention such as internal distraction and mind-wandering. Steady state visual evoked potentials (ssVEPs) are neural signals that are sensitive to covert attention shifts and offer a means to measure endogenous engagement. Laboratories use ssVEPS to study the dynamics of attentional systems, but the frequencies most often used are causes eyestrain and are highly distracting making them impractical for applied use within simulation or training environments. To overcome this limitation, we examine whether frequencies above the perceptual threshold are similarly sensitive to covert attention shifts. Our qualified results indicate supraperceptual threshold ssVEPs are sensitive to such shifts and should be considered for real-time use.