UIST - Augmenting Interactive Tables

Augmenting Interactive Tables with Mice and Keyboards
by BjornHartmann (Stanford University), Meredith Morris, Hrvoje Benko, and Andrew Wilson (Microsoft Research)

Comments: Chris Aikens
Kerry Barone

Summary:

This article discussed the technology of interactive tables and explored how interactive techniques combined with input devices could benefit group collaboration. First, the researchers conducted a scenario of three college students working on a project. Below is a display of the student's table:

As shown in the above, figure, the students all began by placing their wireless keyboards and mice on the table and logging in to have access to the files. Once stationed, three soft inputs are shown next to the keyboard. The inputs consist of web search queries, existing documents, and document creation. Lastly, each student is identified on the table by a colored aura around their devices. Then, the students are instructed to search for information individually and jointly. Also, they were able to create the outline document together with color text to reflect authorship. Lastly, the students were able to share article by sending them across the table and the articles could be rotated by the mouse.

Tabletop Technology:

• Large interactive table had graphics projected onto it by 2 XGA projectors.
  
• Touch input and object locations were determined by 2 tiles VGA cameras underneath the table through diffused IR illumination.
• Identified each user by an optical tag (white cardboard)

• Hardware linked to optical tag by Windows RawInput API.

Interaction Techniques:

Keyboard and Tabletop:

• Link by docking
• Link by placing
• Contextual Command Prompt (Enter the text into the text box and it is processed by the chosen soft input button.)
• Pose based input modification (Align two keyboards to be joined together for joint search or document creation.)

Mouse and Tabletop:

• Remote Object Manipulation (Rotate and scale all within a single mouse. Allows to freely mix touch input and a cursor.)
• Leader Line Locator (Find one's cursor by a leader line tracked from the device to its cursor.)
• Link by proximity (Place mice close to a keyboard and they automatically become joined for use.)
• Link by clicking (Use the mouse to click on objects to connect with each other.)

Overall, the devices aided group work. Further study must be conducted for larger groups with more available devices.

Discussion:

The use of interactive tables is a useful technology that could enhance project work. The article provided excellent background information. I was not familiar with the technology previously and it immediately sparked an interest. However, the article did not address the cost or technical issues that are delaying these tables from being placed into academic or workplace environments. It would be interesting to conduct more reading on determining a time scale of when this type of technology could become a part of everyday life.