PeriTextAR: utilizing peripheral vision for reading text on augmented reality smart glasses

Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR) provides real-time information by superimposing virtual information onto users' view of the real world. Our work is the first to explore how peripheral vision, instead of central vision, can be used to read text on AR and smart glasses. We present PeriTextAR, a multiword reading interface using rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP)[5]. This enables users to observe the real world using central vision, while using peripheral vision to read virtual information. We first conducted a lab-based study to determine the effect of different text transformation by comparing reading efficiency among 3 capitalization schemes, 2 font faces, 2 text animation methods, and 3 different numbers of words for RSVP paradigm. Another lab-based study followed, investigating the performance of the PeriTextAR against control text, and the results showed significant better performance.