Intuitive visualization technique to support eye tracking data analysis: A user-study

While fixation distribution is conventionally visualized using heat maps, there is still a lack of a commonly accepted technique to visualize saccade distributions. Inspired by wind maps and the Oriented Line Integral Convolution (OLIC) technique, we visualize saccades by drawing ink droplets which follow the direction indicated by a flow direction map. This direction map is computed using a kernel density estimation technique over the tangent directions to each saccade gaze point. The image is further blended with the corresponding heat map. It results in an animation or a static image showing main directions of the transitions between different areas of interest. We also present results from a web-based user study where naive non-expert users where asked to identify the direction of the flow and simple patterns. The results showed that these visualizations can successfully be used to support visual analysis of the eye-tracking data. It also showed that the use of animation allows to ease the task and to improve the performance

Seismotectonic analysis around the Mont Terri rock laboratory (Switzerland): a pilot study

For this pilot study we used recorded seismic events from the SED permanent network and data from a dedicated SNS network to improve the seismotectonic understanding of very weak seismicity in the vicinity of the Mont Terri underground laboratory. We combined field data on faults with microseismic events and modelling of stress and focal mechanisms. Eighty-six events with very low magnitudes (ML ≈ −2.0 to 2.0) recorded between July 2014 and August 2015 were located within a radius of 10 km of the underground laboratory and used for modelling. We compiled 234 fault/striation data from laboratory tunnels and regional geology, and also from seismic/borehole data on basement faults. With this database we defined seven groups of main faults in the cover and four groups in the basement. For each of these groups we computed a synthetic focal mechanism that was subsequently used to determine a synthetic P-phase waveform. The synthetic waveforms were then correlated with the microseismic events of the cover and the basement respectively. Of these, 78 events yielded satisfactorily correlation coefficients that we used for a regional seismotectonic interpretation. The synthetic focal mechanism can be linked to the main regional structural features: the NNE–SSW-oriented reactivated faults associated with the Rhine Graben development, and the NE–SW-oriented reverse faults related to the thrust development of major folds such as the Mont Terri anticline. The results for this pilot study confirm that our affirmative method can be used to augment local and regional seismotectonic interpretations with very weak-intensity earthquake data

Eye Tracking Support for Visual Analytics Systems

Visual analytics (VA) research provides helpful solutions for interactive visual data analysis when exploring large and complex datasets. Due to recent advances in eye tracking technology, promising opportunities arise to extend these traditional VA approaches. Therefore, we discuss foundations for eye tracking support in VA systems. We first review and discuss the structure and range of typical VA systems. Based on a widely used VA model, we present five comprehensive examples that cover a wide range of usage scenarios. Then, we demonstrate that the VA model can be used to systematically explore how concrete VA systems could be extended with eye tracking, to create supportive and adaptive analytics systems. This allows us to identify general research and application opportunities, and classify them into research themes. In a call for action, we map the road for future research to broaden the use of eye tracking and advance visual analytics

Exploration Strategies for Discovery of Interactivity in Visualizations

We investigate how people discover the functionality of an interactive visualization that was designed for the general public. While interactive visualizations are increasingly available for public use, we still know little about how the general public discovers what they can do with these visualizations and what interactions are available. Developing a better understanding of this discovery process can help inform the design of visualizations for the general public, which in turn can help make data more accessible. To unpack this problem, we conducted a lab study in which participants were free to use their own methods to discover the functionality of a connected set of interactive visualizations of public energy data. We collected eye movement data and interaction logs as well as video and audio recordings. By analyzing this combined data, we extract exploration strategies that the participants employed to discover the functionality in these interactive visualizations. These exploration strategies illuminate possible design directions for improving the discoverability of a visualization's functionality

Entwicklungsprozess für qualifizierbare Softwarewerkzeuge nach ISO 26262

Um die hohen Qualitätsanforderungen an Softwarewerkzeuge für die Entwicklung eingebetteter Systeme im Automobilumfeld zu gewährleisten, wurde in dieser Arbeit in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Unternehmen TWT ein Qualitätsprozess definiert, der die Nachweisbarkeit von Anforderungen sowie eine Qualifizierung nach dem Sicherheitsstandard ISO 26262 ermöglicht. Hierfür wurden zunächst die Vorgaben des Sicherheitsstandards zur Softwareentwicklung und zur Qualifizierung von Softwarewerkzeugen analysiert. Danach wurden die bestehenden Softwareentwicklungsprozesse bei der TWT untersucht. Aus beidem wurden anschließend Anforderungen an den Qualitätsprozess abgeleitet, so dass dieser sowohl die Anforderungen des Sicherheitsstandards erfüllt als auch sich in die bestehenden Entwicklungsprozesse bei TWT einfügt. Das Konzept des Qualitätsprozesses basiert auf dem im Sicherheitsstandard verwendeten V-Modell, erweitert dieses jedoch um den Einsatz eines kontinuierlichen, testorientierten Requirements Engineerings, einer kontinuierlichen Integration und um Quality Gates, die die Phasen des V-Modells voneinander trennen. Durch das Requirements Engineering und die Quality Gates werden sowohl die Softwareanforderungen validiert als auch die Anforderungen und Vorgaben des Sicherheitsstandards auf ihre Einhaltung überprüft. Durch den Einsatz einer kontinuierlichen Integration, fügt sich der Qualitätsprozess in die bestehenden Entwicklungsprozesse bei TWT ein. Abschließend wurde der ausgearbeitete Qualitätsprozess in einem Expertenreview evaluiert. Die Evaluation ergab, dass der Qualitätsprozess die Anforderungen erfüllt. Des Weiteren gab es Anregungen für eine Erweiterung des Qualitätsprozesses.In this work, a quality process was defined in close cooperation with the company TWT to ensure the high quality requirements of software tools used for developing embedded systems in the automobile environment. This process allows verifying these requirements as well as qualifying software tools based on the safety standard ISO 26262. For this purpose, the requirements of the safety standard for developing software and qualifying software tools were analyzed. Afterwards, the existing software development processes at TWT were examined. Based on both, requirements for the quality process were derived in order to comply with the requirements of the safety standard as well as to embed the process into the existing development processes at TWT. The concept of the quality process is based on the V-Model used in the safety standard. Additionally, the V-Model is extended with a continuous and test oriented requirements engineering, a continuous integration, and quality gates, which separate the phases of the V-Model. Requirements engineering and quality gates are used to validate software requirements as well as to ensure compliance with requirements of the safety standard. By using continuous integration, the quality process is embedded into the current development processes at TWT. Last, the quality process was evaluated in an expert review. The evaluation showed that the quality process meets all requirements. Furthermore, suggestions for extensions of the quality process were given

First observations of high-temperature submarine hydrothermal vents and massive anhydrite deposits off the north coast of Iceland

High-temperature (250°C) hydrothermal vents and massive anhydrite deposits have been found in a shallow water, sediment-filled graben near 66°36′N in the Tjornes Fracture Zone north of Iceland. The site is located about 30 km offshore, near the small island of Grimsey. The main vent field occurs at a depth of 400 m and consists of about 20 large-diameter (up to 10 m) mounds and 1–3 m chimneys and spires of anhydrite and talc. A north–south alignment of the mounds over a 1-km strike length of the valley floor suggests that their distribution is controlled by a buried fault. Widespread shimmering water and extensive white patches of anhydrite in the sediment between the mounds indicates that the entire 1-km2 area occupied by the vents is thermally active. A 2-man research submersible JAGO was used to map the area and to sample vent waters, gases, and chimneys. Actively boiling hydrothermal vents occur on most of the mounds, and extensive two-phase venting indicates that the field is underlain by a large boiling zone (200×300 m). The presence of boiling fluids in shallow aquifers beneath the deposits was confirmed by sediment coring. The highest-temperature pore fluids were encountered in talc- and anhydrite-rich sedimentary layers that occur up to 7 m below the mounds. Baked muds underlie the talc and anhydrite layers, and pyrite is common in stockwork-like fractures and veins in the hydrothermally altered sediments. However, massive sulfides (pyrite–marcasite crusts) were found in only one relict mound. Subseafloor boiling has likely affected the metal-carrying capacity of the hydrothermal fluids, and deposition of sulfides may be occurring at greater depth. Although the mounds and chimneys at Grimsey resemble other deposits at sedimented ridges (e.g. Middle Valley, Escanaba Trough, Guaymas Basin), the shallow water setting and extensive boiling of the hydrothermal fluids represent a distinctive new type of seafloor hydrothermal system

Micro Visualizations on a Smartwatch: Assessing Reading Performance While Walking

With two studies, we assess how different walking trajectories (straight line, circular, and infinity) and speeds (2 km/h, 4 km/h, and 6 km/h) influence the accuracy and response time of participants reading micro visualizations on a smartwatch. We showed our participants common watch face micro visualizations including date, time, weather information, and four complications showing progress charts of fitness data. Our findings suggest that while walking trajectories did not significantly affect reading performance, overall walking activity, especially at high speeds, hurt reading accuracy and, to some extent, response time

Visualizing Information on Smartwatch Faces: A Review and Design Space

We present a systematic review and design space for visualizations on smartwatches and the context in which these visualizations are displayed--smartwatch faces. A smartwatch face is the main smartwatch screen that wearers see when checking the time. Smartwatch faces are small data dashboards that present a variety of data to wearers in a compact form. Yet, the usage context and form factor of smartwatch faces pose unique design challenges for visualization. In this paper, we present an in-depth review and analysis of visualization designs for popular premium smartwatch faces based on their design styles, amount and types of data, as well as visualization styles and encodings they included. From our analysis we derive a design space to provide an overview of the important considerations for new data displays for smartwatch faces and other small displays. Our design space can also serve as inspiration for design choices and grounding of empirical work on smartwatch visualization design. We end with a research agenda that points to open opportunities in this nascent research direction. Supplementary material is available at: https://osf.io/nwy2r/.Comment: 13 pages, appendi

Visually Analyzing Students' Gaze on C++ Code Snippets

International audienceThe paper presents an eye tracking study with 17 students (12 novices, 5 non-novices) reading C++ methods. The novices were students who participated in the study during the last week of their semester learning C++. The non-novices were senior students who had been exposed to programming before. We report on the reading behavior of three C++ methods that use different language constructs. We analyze fixations at the line level of the code using visualizations to derive insights into code reading. Results show that most transitions were made to code lines that are close to the current line read. We observe that a large percentage of the total fixation duration is made on a small number of lines and that related lines are often viewed together in a series of short fixations