Hover widgets: using the tracking state to extend the capabilities of pen-operated devices

ABSTRACT

We present Hover Widgets, a new technique for increasing the capabilities of pen-based interfaces. Hover Widgets are implemented by using the pen movements above the display surface, in the tracking state. Short gestures while hovering, followed by a pen down, access the Hover Widgets, which can be used to activate localized interface widgets. By using the tracking state movements, Hover Widgets create a new command layer which is clearly distinct from the input layer of a pen interface. In a formal experiment Hover Widgets were found to be faster than a more traditional command activation technique, and also reduced errors due to divided attention.

References

1. Accot, J. and S. Zhai. Beyond Fitts' Law: Models for trajectory-based HCI tasks. ACM CHI 1997, 295--302.
2. Apitz, G. and F. Guimbretière. CrossY: a crossing-based drawing application. in ACM UIST 2004, 3--12.
3. Baudel, T. and M. Beaudouin-Lafon, Charade: remote control of objects using free-hand gestures. Communications of the ACM, 1993. 36(7): p. 28--35.
4. Buxton, W. Three-state model of graphical input. in Interact. 1990. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, 449--456.
5. Fitzmaurice, G., et al. Tracking menus. in ACM UIST 2003, 71--79.
6. Goldberg, D. and C. Richardson, Touch-typing with a stylus. in ACM CHI 1993, 80--87.
7. Hinckley, K., et al. Interaction and modeling techniques for desktop two-handed input. in UIST 1998, 49--58.
8. Hinckley, K., et al. Stitching: Pen gestures that span multiple displays. in AVI 2004, 23--31.
9. Kabbash, P., et al. Two-handed input in a compound task. in ACM CHI. 1994, 417--423.
10. Kurtenbach, G. and W. Buxton. The limits of expert performance using hierarchical marking menus. in ACM CHI 1993, 482--487.
11. Li, Y., et al., Experimental analysis of mode switching techniques in pen-based user interfaces in ACM CHI 2005, 461-470.
12. Moran, T.P., et al. Pen-based interaction techniques for organizing material on an electronic whiteboard. in ACM UIST 1997, 45-54.
13. Moscovich, T. and J.F. Hughes, Navigating documents with the virtual scroll ring in ACM UIST 2004, 57--60.
14. Newman, M., et al., DENIM: An Informal Web Site Design Tool Inspired by Observations of Practice. Human-Computer Interaction, 2003. 18(3): p. 259--324.
15. Saund, E. and E. Lank, Stylus input and editing without prior selection of mode in ACM UIST 2003, 213--216.
16. Smith, G.M. and m.c. schraefel, The radial scroll tool: scrolling support for stylus- or touch-based document navigation in ACM UIST 2004, 53--56.
17. SMART Tehcnologies, Digital Vision Touch Technologyg(2003): http://www.smarttech.com/dvit/DViT_white_paper.pdf
18. Zeleznik, R. and T. Miller, Fluid Inking: Modeless Integration of Gestures with Inking, in Tech Report CS-05-10. 2005, Brown University Computer Science.
19. Zeleznik, R., et al. SKETCH: An interface for sketching 3D scenes. in SIGGRAPH 1996, 163--170.
20. Zhao S. and R. Balakrishnan, Simple vs. compound mark hierarchical marking menus in UIST 2004, 33--42.

Index Terms

• Human-centered computing

  • Human computer interaction (HCI)