The Study of Gaze Movement Patterns in Identifying Toilet Sign Pictorial Form Using Eye Tracking

Abstract

People's confusion in interpreting the gender of the toilet sign has caused a hesitation to the people in determining the toilet's cubicle. In this study, the toilet's pictorial sign were examined and depicted as stylized forms ofmen and women. The aim of this research is to collect the data of the people's eye gaze movement in order to identify the toilet's sign system. Other related data were also collected through literature to obtain the theories that support the study. Three volunteers were participated in this study. In the first experiment, they had to identify 6 signs with different shapes presented at the same location with their central visual field using an "Eye-tracking” device without being told in advance. In the second experiment, they had to mention the type of gender in the three pairs of 6 toilet signs displayed. The result of the study indicated a difference between the pattern of human's eyes movements in observing the sign unconsciously and the zoning at the middle represented as the "body" was the most viewed part. This research is expected to provide informations and references for academics, designers and governments in order to create sign system and universal design services.

Keywords: eye gaze movement; eye tracking; sign; toilet