Spatial Effect of Target Display on Visual Search

The effect of spatial layout on visual performance and eye-movements characteristics was analyzed and the results would provide theoretical guidance for the ergonomics design of man-computer interface. A division method was proposed to divide the optimum visual field into nine regions based on the anatomical characteristics of human retinal and the horizon characteristics of quadrants, and corresponding software with the target displaying in different regions dynamically was completed for the experiment. Twelve subjects participated in the experiment and their reaction time and eye movement data were recorded. The significant differences and the prioritizations of different visual regions were analyzed. The results indicated that, there was significant time difference among the regions with different eccentricity, and the visual performance decreased along with the increase of eccentric distance; for the same eccentric distance, the visual performance of lower visual field was superior to the upper visual field, while the left visual field was superior to the right visual field, and the former difference was more apparent compared with the latter one. In the ergonomic study of display interface of man-computer, spatial effect of target display should be considered.