Incidental Visualizations: Augmented Reality as a Medium for Contextual Information

Abstract

In today's fast-paced world, delivering information efficiently and unobtrusively is essential. While ambient and glanceable visualizations provide real-time data, they can increase cognitive load and disrupt primary tasks. We investigate incidental visualizations, a novel concept in information visualization designed to present contextually relevant information briefly and spontaneously, with minimal user interaction. Augmented Reality offers an ideal medium for this integration, embedding visualizations directly within the user's environment. Through controlled user studies on logic-based game tasks (Sudoku and Connect 4), this work compares ambient, periodic, and incidental visualization patterns in terms of comprehension accuracy, performance, and disruption. Results indicate that IVs deliver information as effectively as ambient displays while minimizing disruption, highlighting their potential for adaptive, context-aware information delivery in AR environments.