User perception based label layout for efficient target localization in virtual environment

Virtual Reality (VR) technology provides users with an immersive experience in virtual environments. In target localization scenarios, labels are essential for guiding users to quickly identify and locate targets, thereby enhancing localization efficiency. However, the increasing complexity and volume of information in virtual environments often leads to label information overload and label visual clutter. To address these challenges, we propose a user perception-based label layout method to improve target localization efficiency. This method introduces the concept of object interest score, which dynamically quantifies user interest in scene objects over time and is used for label filtering. Additionally, a mapping function from label attributes to user-perceived time is constructed, allowing the estimation of how quickly a user can perceive a label. By leveraging both the object interest score and user-perceived time, we develop a user perception force-driven label layout optimization method. To evaluate the layout’s effectiveness, we propose a new metric, label perceived time cost, which measures the effort required for users to perceive the labels of objects of interest. User studies show that the proposed method significantly improves target localization efficiency, reduces task load, enhances usability, and minimizes sickness compared to traditional dynamic force-based label layouts.