An evaluation of techniques for selecting moving targets

ABSTRACT

Moving targets are found in numerous applications such as computer games, air traffic control systems, and video surveillance. The selection of moving targets is considerably more difficult and error prone than traditional stationary target selection. In this paper, we introduce Comet Tails and Target Lock, two techniques that support the selection of moving targets. Our goal is to facilitate accurate and fast selection of moving targets. We compare our two techniques to unassisted selection in a controlled experiment. The results show that for moving target selection, Comet Tails and Target Lock can outperform unassisted selection, and result in fewer errors. According to post-experiment questionnaires, participants indicate a stronger preference for assisted target selection with Comet Tails and Target Lock than unassisted selection.

REFERENCES

• 1: Ravin Balakrishnan, "Beating" Fitts' law: virtual enhancements for pointing facilitation, International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, v.61 n.6, p.857-874, December 2004 [doi>10.1016/j.ijhcs.2004.09.002]
• 2: Fitts, P. M. (1954) The information capacity of the human motor system in controlling the amplitude of movement. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 47:381--391.
• 3: Tovi Grossman , Ravin Balakrishnan, The bubble cursor: enhancing target acquisition by dynamic resizing of the cursor's activation area, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems, April 02-07, 2005, Portland, Oregon, USA [doi>10.1145/1054972.1055012]
• 4: Hoffmann, E. R. (1991) Capture of moving targets: A modification of Fitts' law. Ergonomics, 34, 211--220.
• 5: Jagacinski, R. J., Repperger, D. W., Ward, S. L., & Moran, M. S. (1980) A test of Fitts' law with moving targets. Human Factors, 22, 225--233.
• 6: Ian Scott Mackenzie, Fitts' law as a performance model in human-computer interaction, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada, 1992

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Graphical user interfaces (GUI)

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
fitts' law, moving target selection, target selection