Visualizing
Real-Time
Multivariate
Data
Using
Preattentive
Processing
Christopher
G.
Healey,
Kellogg
S.
Booth, and
James
T.
Enns
ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation (Vol. 5, No. 3, pp.
190-221)
TR-94-39
Previous work has shown that results from research in preattentive processing can be used to build visualization tools which allow rapid and accurate analysis of individual, static data frames. We extend these techniques to a dynamic real-time environment. This allows users to perform similar tasks on dynamic sequences of frames, exactly like those generated by real-time systems such as visual interactive simulation. We studied two known preattentive features, hue and curvature. The primary question investigated was whether rapid and accurate target and boundary detection in dynamic sequences is possible using these features. Behavioral experiments were run that simulated displays from our preattentive visualization tools. Analysis of the results of the experiments showed that rapid and accurate target and boundary detection is possible with both hue and curvature. A second question, whether interactions occur between the two features in a real-time environment, was answered positively. This suggests that these and perhaps other visual features can be used to create visualization tools that allow high-speed multidimensional data analysis for use in real-time applications. It also shows that care must be taken in the assignment of data elements to preattentive features to avoid creating certain visual interference effects.