/pdf/reading-and-writing-the-electronic-book-5gcwhw1tcz.pdf

Reading and Writing the Electronic Book

n-Vision is a testbed for exploring n-dimensional worlds containing functions of an arbitrary number of variables. Although our interaction devices and display hardware are inherently 3D, we demonstrate how they can be used to support interaction with these higher-dimensional objects. We introduce a new interaction metaphor developed for the system, which we call “worlds within worlds”: nested heterogeneous coordinate systems that allow the user to view and manipulate functions. Objects in our world may be explored with a set of tools. We describe an example n-Vision application in “financial visualization,” where the functions are models of financial instruments. n-Vision’s software architecture supports a hierarchy of arbitrarily transformed, nested boxes that defines an interactive space within which information is displayed and input obtained. Our design, modeled in part after the hierarchical 2D windows of the X Window System, is intended to provide an environment that is well suited to the use of true 3D input and stereo display devices. Boxes are associated with event handlers that support 3D motion, enter, and leave events, and provide recognition of finger gestures. CR

/pdf/worlds-within-worlds-metaphors-for-exploring-n-dimensional-3bfqte8ko3.pdf

Worlds within worlds: metaphors for exploring n-dimensional virtual worlds

lectronic books" y books creates a ork for critically ex_omputer's role in docuation and presentation. Iectronic document systems ectly comparable to paper the two nevertheless serve a r of common purposes. Both used as sources of information, as earning devices, and as mechanisms for communication between people who are distant in time or place. By considering the strengths and weaknesses of paper and electronic documents, it is possible to formulate a set of capabilities that electronic document systems should possess to maximize the advantages of the electronic medium and overcome some of the disadvantages inherent in the print medium. After outlining these general capabilities, the article describes four document systems developed or under development at Brown University that illustrate many of the different necessary functions.

Reading and writing the electronic book

An experimental system is described for the design, development, and presentation of computer-based documents that combine pictures and text on a high-resolution color raster display. Such documents can be used, for example, for maintenance and repair tasks, videotex databases, or computer-aided instruction. Documents are directed graphs whose nodes we refer to as pages, in analogy to the pages of a paper book. A page includes a set of simultaneously displayed pictures, actions (procedures and processes), and indexing information. Pages may be nested arbitrarily deeply in chapters that serve much the same organizing function as those of conventional books. The system is comprised of separate programs for laying out and drawing pictures, for graphically specifying the contents of pages, chapters, and their interconnections, and for displaying the document for user interaction. Examples are given from a prototype maintenance and repair manual in which emphasis was placed on designing actions that allow simple real-time animation and assist in finding one's way around the document.

An experimental system for creating and presenting interactive graphical documents

A novel technique for the remote guidance of fast mobile robots has been developed and implemented. With this method, the mobile robot follows the general direction prescribed by an operator. However, if the robot encounters an obstacle, it autonomously avoids collision with that obstacle while trying to match the prescribed direction as closely as possible. This novel implementation of shared control is completely transparent and transfers control between teleoperation and autonomous obstacle avoidance gradually. The method, called teleautonomous operation, allows the operator to steer vehicles and robots at high speeds and in cluttered environments, even without visual contact. Teleautonomous operation is based on the virtual force field (VFF) method, which was developed for autonomous obstacle avoidance. The VFF method is especially suited to the accommodation of inaccurate sensor data and sensor fusion, and allows the mobile robot to travel quickly without stopping for obstacles. >

Teleautonomous guidance for mobile robots

A Simple, Two-Dimensional Notation Lets Animators Easily Express and Recognize Parallelism and Gives Mathematicians a Convenient Way to Experiment with Surfaces in n-Dimensional Space.

Salesin

Papers

Dial: A Diagrammatic Animation Language