08-16-2017, 10:36 PM
Eye Movement-Based Human-Computer Interaction
Techniques: Toward Non-Command Interfaces
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ABSTRACT
User-computer dialogues are typically one-sided, with the bandwidth from
computer to user far greater than that from user to computer. The movement
of a user s eyes can provide a convenient, natural, and high-bandwidth source
of additional user input, to help redress this imbalance. We therefore investigate
the introduction of eye movements as a computer input medium. Our
emphasis is on the study of interaction techniques that incorporate eye movements
into the user-computer dialogue in a convenient and natural way.
INTRODUCTION
In searching for better interfaces between users and their computers, an additional mode
of communication between the two parties would be of great use. The problem of humancomputer
interaction can be viewed as two powerful information processors (human and computer)
attempting to communicate with each other via a narrow-bandwidth, highly constrained
interface [25]. Faster, more natural, more convenient (and, particularly, more parallel, less
sequential) means for users and computers to exchange information are needed to increase the
useful bandwidth across that interface.
Outline
This chapter begins by discussing the non-command interaction style. Then it focuses on
eye movement-based interaction as an instance of this style. It introduces a taxonomy of the
interaction metaphors pertinent to eye movements. It describes research at NRL on developing
and studying eye movement-based interaction techniques. It discusses some of the human factors
and technical considerations that arise in trying to use eye movements as an input medium,
describes our approach and the first eye movement-based interaction techniques that we have
devised and implemented in our laboratory, and reports our experiences and observations on
them. Finally, the chapter returns to the theme of new interaction styles and attempts to identify
and separate out the characteristics of non-command styles and to consider the impact of
these styles on the future of user interface software.
NON-COMMAND INTERFACE STYLES
Eye movement-based interaction is one of several areas of current research in humancomputer
interaction in which a new interface style seems to be emerging. It represents a
change in input from objects for the user to actuate by specific commands to passive equipment
that simply senses parameters of the user s body.