The Omnidirectional Attention Funnel: A Dynamic 3D Cursor for Mobile Augmented Reality Systems

Knowledge of objects, situations, or locations in the environment may be productivity enhancing, generally useful, or even life-critical for mobile augmented reality (AR) users. Users may need assistance with: (1) dangers, obstacles, or situations requiring attention, (2) visual search, (3) task sequencing, and (4) spatial navigation. The omnidirectional attention funnel is a general purpose AR interface technique that rapidly guides attention to any object, person, or place in the space. The attention funnel dynamically draws user attention with a set of strong bottom-up spatial attention cues. In a study comparing the attention funnel to other attention directing techniques such as highlighting and audio cueing, we found that the attention funnel increased search speed by over 50%, and decreased perceived cognitive load by 18%. The technique has applicability as a general 3D cursor or cue in a wide array of AR applications that require visual search, emergency warning and alerts to specific objects or obstacles, or as a method for 3D navigation to objects in a room or guidance through space.