=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=None
|storemode=property
|title=Environmental Matching with Limited Displays
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-888/SKALID2012_Hirtle.pdf
|volume=Vol-888
}}
==Environmental Matching with Limited Displays==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-888/SKALID2012_Hirtle.pdf
Environmental Matching with Limited Displays
Stephen C. Hirtle and Cristina Robles
School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA
{hirtle,cmr93}@pitt.edu
Abstract. It is argued that to produce an informative spatial display on small
devices one should focus on extracting distinctive features of the physical envi-
ronment. These features can be communicated selectively to the user on small
displays. By considering spatial, semantic, and visual information sources, one
can generate cognitively adequate directions that foster spatial awareness, while
limiting computational resources. This paper describes the issues involved in
selecting appropriate elements within the cognitive collage of environmental
spaces to generate such displays.
1 Introduction
The ability to adequately navigate using a limited information display is dependent on
a variety of factors, but perhaps none as important as matching the physical environ-
ment with information in the display. It is well known that concise directions are
generally preferred and easier to follow [1], but that the granularity of the directions
depends on the complexity of the environment [2-3]. The problem of providing cog-
nitively adequate directions remains a challenge for route guidance systems, which
more often than not are tied to a specific level of granularity [4]. This limitation be-
comes more severe when the display presenting the information is limited.
One potential solution is focus on particular classes of information. It is well-
established that spatial information can be viewed as a multi-level, cognitive collage
in which certain kinds of information can dominate [5-8]. In this paper, we consider
potential slices of the collage that can be highlighted in limited displays. We use
current systems for insight into potential problem areas in applying this approach.
Thus, the focus of this paper is on environmental matching. That is, how does one
take the information in the display and match it to the actual environment. For exam-
ple, the simple instruction of ‘turn right’ at a location where five roads meet is most
likely going to be inadequate and additional information would be needed to resolve
the ambiguity of the instruction [9-10]. This might be through semantic information
(turn right on Main St.), spatial information (make a sharp right), or visual informa-
tion (turn right towards the McDonald’s). Each of these alternatives is discussed in
turn below.
Proceedings SKALID 2012 19
Hirtle & Robles
2 Information Classes
2.1 Spatial Information
Two-dimensional spatial information is found in virtually all modern navigation sys-
tems. For example, Figure 1 from Google maps shows a path along Pocusset Street,
which then turns right onto Murray Ave. That right turn that is close to 90°, as op-
posed to the sharp right onto Forward (westbound) or bearing slightly right onto For-
ward (eastbound). Having the geometry of the intersection in a heads-up display
would facilitate taking the correct turn over just a simple verbal description of “turn
right”. However, it is interesting to note that this particular intersection, found in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, can also be described by the topography of the area [11].
From Pocusset Street, southbound Murray Ave is right and up the hill passing over
Route 30, while westbound Forward Ave is right and down the hill passing under
Route 30. This kind of the three-dimensional information is rarely provided in cur-
rent navigational systems.
Fig. 1. Potential area of confusion for turning right in Pittsburgh, PA.
2.2 Semantic Information
Providing semantic information in terms of road names or landmarks is a second
method for providing information a limited display. While typical of most current
systems, problems arise when there is the signage in the environment is missing, lim-
ited, or does not match the labeling in the navigation system. For example, in Figure
1, a ramp is shown headed westbound from Forward Ave onto a shaded road labeled
as “Lincoln Hwy/Route 22/Route 30”, yet the physical sign onto that ramp, shown in
Figure 2, reads “I-376 West Pittsburgh”. The extent to which instructions match the
physical environment, including what is printed on road signs, would make directions
easier to follow.
20 Proceedings SKALID 2012
Environmental Matching with Limited Displays
Fig. 2. Visual information that does not match the labels on the map.
There is also a problem when there is limited semantic information to present to the
user. Google now provides walking directions, which includes not only named streets,
but also unnamed sidewalks.
Walking from the School of Information Sciences Building to Hillman Library on
the University of Pittsburgh campus generates the route shown in Figure 3 with the
accurate, but very confusing, set of verbal directions:
Fig. 3. Google map walking directions along a set of sidewalks
1. Head south on N Bellefield Ave toward Fifth Avenue 0.1 mi
2. Turn right toward SchenleyDr 374 ft
3. Turn left toward SchenleyDr 154 ft
4. Turn right toward SchenleyDr 233 ft
5. Turn left toward SchenleyDr 453 ft
6. Turn left toward SchenleyDr 161 ft
7. Turn right toward SchenleyDr 52 ft
Proceedings SKALID 2012 21
Hirtle & Robles
8. Turn left onto Schenley Dr 125 ft
9. Turn right 157 ft [to arrive at] Hillman Library Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Pielot and Boll [12] found that such directions ignore the nature of human navigation
skills and are of little use to wayfinding by pedestrians.
2.3 Visual Information
Providing visual information in terms of signage, landmarks, geographical cues, can
also be helpful. In examining tricky parts of directions, Hirtle et al[4] found both
cases where the visual information was obscured making directions difficult and cases
where the visual information was useful in providing key information. In hand-
written directions, navigators were warned, for example, when signs were obscured or
where signs are missing. In contrast, landmark-rich environments were never flagged
as being difficult to navigate in.
Current navigation systems rarely take advantage of visual information. One mi-
nor exception is Google Navigation for the Android, which automatically switches to
street view at the end of the directions for help in locating your final destination.
3 Conclusions
It has been argued that limited information displays can successfully support spatial
knowledge acquisition by providing cognitively adequate directions, which highlight
the preferred knowledge of the traveler, be it spatial, visual or semantic information.
This is to say, by identifying the unique attributes [13] that make up a location, an
intersection or a route, one can start to build meaningful, low-resolution systems. At a
first pass, such a system could be built on both user preferences and the granularity of
the space [2]. In line with much of the cognitive literature, general overviews with
detailed local knowledge will assist in the creation of a cognitive collage.
While the focus of this paper has been the visual display of information, it also
possible to augment, or even replace, a visual display with auditory or tactile informa-
tion. In these modalities it has been shown that even simple information, akin to the
children’s game “Hot or Cold” where feedback is given that your are on-track moving
the correct direction (getting warmer) or you are off-track headed in the wrong direc-
tion (getting colder). Yang, et al [14] demonstrated that such information supports
spatial awareness in pedestrians with visual impairments allowing participants to
discover new points of interest and even improvise new wayfinding routes.
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