An Evaluation of Techniques for Controlling Focus+Context Screens

We evaluated four techniques for controlling focus+context screens. We compared an egocentric versus exocentric View mixed with whether the display on the focus screen moves in the same (paper mapping) versus opposite (scroll mapping) direction as input force. Our results show that (i) View had little effect, (ii) users almost always allocated attention to the context screen when controlling the display, (iii) scroll mappings enabled a user to perform tasks faster, commit fewer errors, and be more satisfied with the system compared to paper mappings, and (iv) a user can better control focus+context screens when the frame of reference either does move or is perceived to move in the direction of input force. We discuss these results and recommend how to enable a user to better control focus+context screens.