Characteristics of Space Search Determined by Tracking Scanning Paths

Abstract

We tracked scanning paths to determine what visual activities subjects performed while observing the lobby of a public space. Extracting the observation pattern and establishing the scanning attributes in 10-second blocks enabled us to evaluate the characteristics of continuous space search. First, we analyzed scanpath characteristics in six time frame ranges and found that more scanpaths overlapped when the time frame was longer, and they were too fragmentary when it was shorter. Consequently, 10 seconds was determined to be the best time frame for analyzing scanning features. Second, during 2 minutes of observation, subjects used a combination of mixed scanning (41.3-seconds), horizontal scanning (35.4 -seconds), and circular scanning (28.8-seconds). Subjects focused on one spot for only 12.1 seconds, and spent most of the observation time engaged in space search. Third, mixed scanning made up 45%–50% of all the scanning patterns, indicating that a significant proportion of space search was accomplished through mixed scanning. Fourth, horizontal search was prominent during the early stage of observation, indicating that subjects tended to use horizontal search at the initial stage of space observation. Fifth, subjects initially searched the space horizontally and then repeated mixed search in 20–30 second intervals after circular search.