CAREER: Development of an Eye Tracking Education and Research Program at Clemson University

Clemson University, Clemson SC

Investigators

Abstract

A career development plan is presented with the objective of developing an interdisciplinary eye tracking education and research program at Clemson University. The four development areas forming the program are described: (1)pedagogical innovation, (2) laboratory infrastructure, (3) interdisciplinary eye movement research, and (4) independent computer science research. Work in areas (1) and (2) has already begun. The long-term research directions outlined in areas (3) and (4) specify a research agenda designed to sustain and nurture the program's growth. This proposal defines two virtual reality eye tracking research projects, the results of which will serve as part of the foundation for future research and career development. Pedagogical Innovation: A newly approved interdisciplinary course, commencing in Fall 1999, is described. This class features applied instruction in eye tracking methodology and thus presents a nationally distinctive course offering. The course content provides a context for ongoing and proposed eye tracking research. This proposal also discusses the strategies for the formative and surnmative evaluation of this curricular development. Laboratory Infrastructure: Hands-on course instruction and related research is conducted within the newly installed eye tracking facility housed in Clemson's Virtual Reality Laboratory. The laboratory includes two top-of-the-line Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) from Virtual Research, one of which is outfitted with a binocular eye tracker from ISCAN. The HMI)s are driven by an SGI Onyx2 InfiniteReality graphics engine, which generates a myriad of complex stimuli, including graphics, virtual environments, digital images, and video. The binocular HMD-fitted eye tracker, the principal component currently used in virtual reality eye tracking research, appears to be the first of its kind to be assembled in the United States. Interdisciplinary Research: Related collaborative research directions are outlined, with the support of faculty from Psychology, Marketing, and Industrial Engineering. Students from these departments can enroll in the eye tracking course and are expected to participate in ongoing research, Supporting the burgeoning education program, the objective of the proposed collaborative efforts is to explore fundamental questions regarding dynamic vision and perceptual processes. Results from completed projects will be featured in the course as it evolves over time. Independent Research: The underlying theme of this proposed research is display generation and processing, matching the dynamic nature of human vision as revealed by eye movements. Although long-range computer science directions are specified within the areas of computer graphics, human-computer interaction, and digital imaging, this proposal focuses on two related projects pertinent to virtual reality research. These projects constitute the primary reason for requested funding. The aim of both projects is to develop strategies to increase the display rate of com- plex virtual environments through gaze-contingent object and scene modeling. The proposed evaluation of the two virtual environments is based on measurements of system and human performance. Expected deliverables include multivariate acuity-matching degradation functions suitable for either model- or frame-based scene generation result- ing in display-time compression. The development of the two proposed projects is slated over a four-year period. The schedule is summarized as follows: 1. First year: completion of software development for initial gaze-contingent virtual environment construction; completion of pilot studies; dissemination of preliminary results and experiences. 2. Second year: implementation of gaze-contingent modeling strategies; initiation of human subject experiments. 3. Third year: implementation of gaze-contingent visuotopic strategies; initiation of human subject experiments, 4. Fourth year: completion of experiments and data analysis; dissemination of project results. The four-year duration of the two proposed projects presents an opportunity to lay the groundwork for future career development. Although this career development proposal is broad in scope, it is tacitly assumed that the work outlined herein forms the foundation for a lifetime of research and teaching activities.