Architectures and Models for Interaction Group

Research topic of the group AMI: Interaction on tactile surfaces

F. Vernier, R. Ajaj, G. Besacier, J. Chaboissier, C. Perin, E. Pointal

Interactive surfaces have evolved since the inspiring vision from Pierre Wellner. A decade (1991-2001) was necessary before this first prototype generate an explosion of research works. This explosion began with four pioneering projects: DiamondTouch from Paul Dietz at MERL, Smarskin from Jun Rekimoto at Sony CSL, the FTIR family of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tables initiated by Jeff Han in 2005 and the Microsoft Surface commercially distributed in 2007.

At LIMSI, the theme Interaction on Tactile Surfaces includes many works in this area that we can organize in three categories. First, our approach first question the WIMP paradigm (Windows-Icon-Menu-Pointer) by observing users collaboratively manipulating the interface of an interactive table. Indeed interactive surfaces suggest the disappearance of the mouse pointer(s) but windows and menus must also be revisited. The second axis of our approach is then to seek new forms of interaction based on the extraordinary potential of multi-touch inputs (richness, easy learning, etc.). Illustration 5-a shows for instance how multitouch input can be naturally mapped to the complex manipulation of fisheye lens. Finally, we start, like many colleagues of the community, to seek for application domains to encounter a hit with users (game, architecture / urban planning, map making, brainstorming, etc.). Illustration 5-b illustrates the application of group brainstorming around a tabletop setting with the help of the system to keep the pace of the collaborative work.

 

Left) Multitouch input for the complex manipulation of fisheye lens; right) Group brainstorming around a tabletop.

The commercial future of Tactile surfaces is still uncertain in the industrial world due to tensions between competitors. The tactile surfaces of Apple are gaining in size and resolution and Microsoft and Samsung just revealed the much bigger tabletop "surface v2.0" with support of objects recognition. Beyond the rivalry between the industry leaders, current research focuses now less on hardware and more on software. The approach at LIMSI is to focus on new application domains such as information visualization and on challenges for toolkits (like Web or Java toolkits). Furthermore we believe new methodological tools are to be invented to study group work around an interactive tabletop setup.