Anke Lehmann

Physical navigation to support graph exploration on a large high-resolution display

Large high-resolution displays are potentially useful to present complex data at a higher level of detail embedded in the context of surrounding information. This requires an appropriate visualization and also suitable interaction techniques. In this paper, we describe an approach to visualize a graph hierarchy on a large high-resolution display and to interact with the visualization by physical navigation. The visualization is based on a node-link diagram with dynamically computed labels. We utilize head tracking to allow users to explore the graph hierarchy at different levels of abstraction. Detailed information is displayed when the user is closer to the display and aggregate views of higher levels of abstraction are obtained by stepping back. The head tracking information is also utilized for steering the dynamic labeling depending on the users position and orientation.

HYUI: a visual framework for prototyping hybrid user interfaces

This paper describes a pragmatic approach for the design of hybrid user interfaces based on a number of extensions of an existing 3D authoring system. We present the design and realization of a visual framework dedicated to the prototyping of hybrid user interfaces. The rapid development environment was applied in a teaching context during lectures on advanced user interface design. The results showed that our framework provides a suitable tool to quickly design and test hybrid user interfaces.

Smart Interaction Management: An Interaction Approach for Smart Meeting Rooms

Understanding information and gaining insights about information usually means interacting with the displayed information. Utilizing the new capabilities of smart meeting rooms, visual outputs of different information representation applications are presented according to the users needs. In this paper we present smart interaction management. This interaction approach enables the users to interact with all displayed views, utilizing the novel capabilities of these environments while still being able to interact with applications in a conventional manner using local devices. We further show two use cases demonstrating typical applications of our approach in such multi-display environments: (1) to modify the arrangement and layout of views and (2) to interact with the displayed information within a view.

The extended window metaphor for large high-resolution displays

We present a novel tele-presence approach that extends the window metaphor by combining large high-resolution LCD walls with multi-camera 3D video. We propose to integrate an array of cameras into the bezels of the wall to support flexible camera placement for optimized video acquisition. The userss 3D video representation combined with the high-resolution LCD wall provides local and remote users with a shared virtual space in an extended life-size window metaphor. We discuss important system design aspects such as camera placement strategies, resolution, field of view, and dynamic camera selection for different 3D video reconstruction approaches, such as stereo and visual hulls. Finally, we describe our current prototype system based on the design guidelines described in this paper.

Towards an Interaction Concept for Efficient Control of Cyber-Physical Systems

In this work, we introduce our interaction concept for efficient control of cyber-physical systems CPS. The proposed concept addresses the challenges of the increased amount of smart/electronic devices along with increasingly complex user interfaces. With a dual reality approach, the user is able to perform the same action in the physical world as well in the virtual world by synchronizing both. We solve thereby the most important compelling issue of ease of use, flexibility, and bridging the gap between both worlds. Our approach is substantiated by two test scenarios by means of a characteristically CPS setting.

Distance-Aware Bimanual Interaction for Large High-Resolution Displays

Large high-resolution displays allow users to perceive the global context of information from a distance and to explore detailed information at close-up range. This enables the user to interact with displayed content at various distances. In this paper we introduce bimanual interaction techniques that enable users to manipulate virtual content with the suitable accuracy. The separated-cursors technique differentiates between the manipulation tasks while the connected-cursors technique allows performing the manipulation tasks simultaneously. We consider three relative mapping methods which map the physical hand motion to relative virtual object motion depending on the user–display distance (interaction scaling). Mapping is based on a continuous distance-related mapping factor or predefined mapping factors. We evaluated the separated-cursors technique with and without interaction scaling. The explorative study indicates that a distance-related continuous mapping factor performs better than predefined mapping factors. Furthermore, the participants often needed fewer object selections to sort objects with interaction scaling.

HorseIO - virtual riding lessons with a low-cost tangible horse interface

We describe the implementation of a playful multi-user virtual riding lesson for beginners. Our work focused on the integration of a wooden horse, equipped with real snaffle and saddle, which is used as input interface to navigate in a 3D environment. With the help of the wooden horse, the user is able to interact with a virtual 3D horse via reins and legs, similar to a real riding scenario.

Evaluation of Distance-Aware Bimanual Manipulation Techniques for Large High-Resolution Displays

In this paper we present the approach of interaction scaling. It assists users during their current tasks by adjusting interactivity depending on the user’s distance to large high-resolution displays. The mapping method of interaction scaling combines the calculation of a distance-adjusted mapping factor with a manual/automatic change of precision levels. In our user study we evaluated how different accuracies, user preferences and physical navigation affect the user performance of distance-aware manipulation techniques. We used symmetric/asymmetric bimanual manipulation techniques that were evaluated with interaction scaling and a direct mapping approach. Further, we differentiated between coarse-grained and fine-grained accuracy of manipulation tasks. The study identified that interaction scaling improves user performance for very precise manipulation tasks. The participants were able to manipulate objects more accurately with asymmetric technique than with symmetric technique. Most participants preferred a manual switching; however, the tasks could be solved equally well with automatic switching by half of them.