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Going beyond the surface: studying multi-layer interaction above the tabletop

Published: 05 May 2012 Publication History

Abstract

Lightweight spatially aware displays (Tangible Magic Lenses) are an effective approach for exploring complex information spaces within a tabletop environment. One way of using the 3D space above a horizontal surface is to divide it into discrete parallel layers stacked upon each other. Horizontal and vertical lens movements are essential tasks for the style of multi-layer interaction associated with it. We conducted a comprehensive user study with 18 participants investigating fundamental issues such as optimal number of layers and their thickness, movement and holding accuracies, and physical boundaries of the interaction volume. Findings include a rather limited overall interaction height (44 cm), a different minimal layer thickness for vertical and horizontal search tasks (1 cm/4 cm), a reasonable maximum number of layers depending on the primary task, and a convenience zone in the middle for horizontal search. Derived from that, design guidelines are also presented.

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    cover image ACM Conferences
    CHI '12: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
    May 2012
    3276 pages
    ISBN:9781450310154
    DOI:10.1145/2207676
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    Published: 05 May 2012

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    Author Tags

    1. above the tabletop
    2. multi-layer interaction
    3. spatially aware displays
    4. tangible magic lens
    5. user study

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    • (2021)Larger Step Faster Speed: Investigating Gesture-Amplitude-based Locomotion in Place with Different Virtual Walking Speed in Virtual Reality2021 IEEE Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR)10.1109/VR50410.2021.00067(438-447)Online publication date: Mar-2021
    • (2020)"In VR, everything is possible!": Sketching and Simulating Spatially-Aware Interactive Spaces in Virtual RealityProceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3313831.3376652(1-16)Online publication date: 21-Apr-2020
    • (2019)A Model of Spatial Directness in Interactive VisualizationIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics10.1109/TVCG.2018.284890625:8(2514-2528)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2019
    • (2017)InvisiShapes: A Recognition System for Sketched 3D Primitives in Continuous Interaction SpacesSmart Graphics10.1007/978-3-319-53838-9_5(63-74)Online publication date: 25-Mar-2017
    • (2016)Peek-a-ViewProceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/2858036.2858426(4658-4662)Online publication date: 7-May-2016
    • (2016)SymmetriSenseProceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/2858036.2858286(5126-5137)Online publication date: 7-May-2016
    • (2016)Exploring the Layered Use of Transparent Display on a Large Tabletop DisplayProceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/2851581.2892297(2555-2562)Online publication date: 7-May-2016
    • (2016)Escaping the Trough: Towards Real-World Impact of Tabletop ResearchInternational Journal of Human–Computer Interaction10.1080/10447318.2016.120676433:2(77-93)Online publication date: 3-Aug-2016
    • (2015)Interaction for VisualizationSynthesis Lectures on Visualization10.2200/S00651ED1V01Y201506VIS0033:1(1-107)Online publication date: 15-Jun-2015
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