The effects of target location and target distinction on visual search in a depth display

Research of human-centered computing systems in industry should not avoid advances in visual display technology for safety, warning, and interaction. Novel 3D displays that present information in real depth offer potential benefits. Previous research has studied depth in visual search but depth was mostly not realized by real physical separation. Many areas of Human Factors could be augmented with the study and evaluation for operation of novel 3D displays. Such a study was presented to better understand the effects of real physical depth in association with depth redundantly coded with another feature (an additional mark on a target) distinguishing it from distracters and target location on visual search in a depth display. Target location was studied as the row or column in the visual field of view the target was positioned and also in terms of eccentricity outwardly from the center of the display. In general, depth was found to be of benefit when redundantly coded with another attribute for guiding attention. Targets were not found as fast when the target's location was further from the center fixation point, and interactions between target distinction (depth, mark, or depth+mark) and target location provide implications for designers.