Abstract: Shape feature is an important element of visual ergonomics of human-machine interface. In
order to improve the user experience and increase operation efficiency, a visual saliency calculation
model for shape features of human-machine interface isproposed. The influence of shape features to
visual saliency is analysed and several specific shapes are obtained which are used in
huaman-machine interface frequently at first. The inscribed square is used to segment the shapes and
some specific parts are got consequently. The triangle is related to the parts to calculate the parts’
visual saliency. The maximal value of parts’ visual saliency is taken as the visual saliency of the shape.
An eye tracking experiment verifies the effectiveness of the proposed visual saliency calculation
model.

Key words: interaction design, human-machine interface, shape feature, visual salience, visual
ergonomics