Enhanced Eyes for Better Gaze Awareness in Collaborative Mixed Reality

Abstract

The concept of "enhanced eyes" to restore gaze awareness in a collaborative mixed-reality space is proposed. Three "enhanced eyes" schemes are described: controlling the highlight in the eyes to aid awareness of eye contact, deforming the eyelids to enhance eye motion, and adjusting the rotation angle of the eyeballs to improve perception of gaze direction. The effectiveness of the schemes has been confirmed by subjective evaluations. The "enhanced eyes" emulate the natural appearance of the face and are effective not only to indicate gaze direction but also to create the feeling of gaze.