Time as a designable presentation parameter in information visualization

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Time as a designable presentation parameter
in information visualization
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visualise to form a mental model or image of . .
. . .
It is a human activity
But one that can be enhanced immensely by a
computer-based Visualisation tool
An Information Visualisation tool allows a user
to form a mental model - a cognitive model - of
some data, thereby facilitating insight into that
data
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The formation and inspection of a mental map of
the London Underground system
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A connection between a mental model and time
Example electronic circuit design
Designer has well-formed mental model of the
effect of each component.
Need for a constant reference between grid and
circuit to gain insight
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Map component properties onto component symbols .
. . .
Example electronic circuit design
Computed sensitivity directly mapped on to
components, become part of mental model
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. . . . and then animate
As the frequency marker goes up and down the
scale, circles change size accordingly
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Animation to enhance a mental model
Video clip The MINNIE CAD System 1973
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Animation to stimulate discovery
Video clip The MINNIE CAD System 1973
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Animation to preserve a mental model
Video clip The Cone Tree 1991
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Animation cognitive issues
Best cycle time ? (MINNIE)
Size, area, colour to encode sensitivity ?
(MINNIE)
Best transition time ? (Cone Tree)
Possible cues ? (e.g., shadows of the
Cone Tree)
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Rapid Presentation
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You enter a bookshop
You notice what seems like an interesting book
You pick it up
You riffle its pages
In this way you quickly form some impression of
that book
Rapid Serial Visual Presentation
RSVP
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Electronic RSVP
Why do we need it ?
Whats there ?
Is it here ?
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RSVP Carousel
Typical appearance time of 400 milllisec
Review around 50 images in 4 seconds
Remarkable human ability to browse and recognise
images
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RSVP modes
Carousel
Key-hole
With a recognition task, exposure time could be
less with keyhole mode (30 mS)
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RSVP modes
PolyNav (Verizon)
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RSVP modes
Theyre coming at you !
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Rapid Serial Visual Presentation
Issues
Acceptability by average user
Start/stop/retreat controls
Eye gaze
Image as surrogate for text
What is the cognitive mechanism ?
Attentional blink
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A Trade-off . . . . .
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A Trade-off relevant to design. . . . .
Video clip Image Browsing A Space-Time Trade-off
1997
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A Trade-off relevant to design. . . . .
RSVP
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Space-Time Trade-off with RSVP
A design example
With many devices (PDAs, mobiles, wearables . .
.) display space is severely limited
Use RSVP in key-hole mode to trade space for time
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Space-Time Trade-off with RSVP
A design example
Navigating the Web on a mobile display
Video clip Movement in the Web 2001
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Space-Time Trade-off with RSVP
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Slow Serial Visual Presentation
Context Opportunistic Browsing in a Ubiquitous
Computing Environment
The Living Memory EU project explored the
enhancement of social cohesion within a local
community
One of the devices built was a coffee table whose
surface was a curved display. Around the
periphery flowed a sequence of icons and text
reporting local news and activities
The users are not consciously looking for
information. But if an item attracts their
attention it can be moved into the table for more
detailed inspection
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References
Cognitive model
Potter at MIT, Psychology
Commercial application
Wittenburg at Verizon
Monograph
Fleeting Memories, MIT Press