Continuous Gaze Cursor Feedback in Various Tasks: Influence on Eye Movement Behavior, Task Performance and Subjective Distraction

Abstract

Using gaze as input modality has often been promoted as a method for advanced computer interaction. One important detail in gaze controlled interfaces is the design of optimal feedback. Highlighting the current point of gaze by a gaze contingent cursor represents a simple form of feedback. In an experimental study, we investigated the influence of gaze cursor feedback on eye movement behavior, task performance and subjective distraction. Participants of the study completed three different tasks (gaze typing, reading and image exploration) with five different feedback conditions. No-feedback was implemented as baseline condition and compared with gaze cursor feedback of various spatial precision and temporal delays. A blue, semitransparent small dot served as gaze cursor. The observed findings are discussed in the context of user friendly feedback for gaze based computer interaction. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.