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Journal ArticleDOI

Token+constraint systems for tangible interaction with digital information

TL;DR: This discussion discusses the properties of the token+constraint approach; considers strengths that distinguish them from other interface approaches; and illustrates the concept with eleven past and recent supporting systems.
Abstract: We identify and present a major interaction approach for tangible user interfaces based upon systems of tokens and constraints. In these interfaces, tokens are discrete physical objects which represent digital information. Constraints are confining regions that are mapped to digital operations. These are frequently embodied as structures that mechanically channel how tokens can be manipulated, often limiting their movement to a single degree of freedom. Placing and manipulating tokens within systems of constraints can be used to invoke and control a variety of computational interpretations.We discuss the properties of the token+constraint approach; consider strengths that distinguish them from other interface approaches; and illustrate the concept with eleven past and recent supporting systems. We present some of the conceptual background supporting these interfaces, and consider them in terms of Bellotti et al.'s [2002] five questions for sensing-based interaction. We believe this discussion supports token+constraint systems as a powerful and promising approach for sensing-based interaction.
Citations
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01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: The concept of Reality-Based Interaction (RBI) as discussed by the authors has been proposed as a unifying concept that ties together a large subset of emerging interaction styles and provides a framework that can be used to understand, compare, and relate current paths of recent HCI research as well as to analyze specific interaction designs.
Abstract: We are in the midst of an explosion of emerging humancomputer interaction techniques that redefine our understanding of both computers and interaction. We propose the notion of Reality-Based Interaction (RBI) as a unifying concept that ties together a large subset of these emerging interaction styles. Based on this concept of RBI, we provide a framework that can be used to understand, compare, and relate current paths of recent HCI research as well as to analyze specific interaction designs. We believe that viewing interaction through the lens of RBI provides insights for design and uncovers gaps or opportunities for future research.

708 citations

Proceedings ArticleDOI
06 Apr 2008
TL;DR: It is believed that viewing interaction through the lens of RBI provides insights for design and uncovers gaps or opportunities for future research.
Abstract: We are in the midst of an explosion of emerging human-computer interaction techniques that redefine our understanding of both computers and interaction. We propose the notion of Reality-Based Interaction (RBI) as a unifying concept that ties together a large subset of these emerging interaction styles. Based on this concept of RBI, we provide a framework that can be used to understand, compare, and relate current paths of recent HCI research as well as to analyze specific interaction designs. We believe that viewing interaction through the lens of RBI provides insights for design and uncovers gaps or opportunities for future research.

631 citations


Cites background from "Token+constraint systems for tangib..."

  • ...[48])....

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  • ...Ullmer, Ishii, and Jacob note that tangible interactions are “observable with both visual and haptic modalities and draw on some of humans’ most basic knowledge about the behavior of the physical world” [48] (NP)....

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Proceedings ArticleDOI
08 Oct 2013
TL;DR: This work outlines potential interaction techniques and introduces Dynamic Physical Affordances and Constraints with the inFORM system, built on top of a state-of-the-art shape display, which provides for variable stiffness rendering and real-time user input through direct touch and tangible interaction.
Abstract: Past research on shape displays has primarily focused on rendering content and user interface elements through shape output, with less emphasis on dynamically changing UIs. We propose utilizing shape displays in three different ways to mediate interaction: to facilitate by providing dynamic physical affordances through shape change, to restrict by guiding users with dynamic physical constraints, and to manipulate by actuating physical objects. We outline potential interaction techniques and introduce Dynamic Physical Affordances and Constraints with our inFORM system, built on top of a state-of-the-art shape display, which provides for variable stiffness rendering and real-time user input through direct touch and tangible interaction. A set of motivating examples demonstrates how dynamic affordances, constraints and object actuation can create novel interaction possibilities.

548 citations


Cites background or methods from "Token+constraint systems for tangib..."

  • ...Constraints like wells, slots and ramps limit the movement of the token through their shape, thus guiding user interaction, similar to [38]....

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  • ...For example, the Token and Constraint framework introduced by Ullmer uses mechanical constraints to provide physical affordances for interacting with tangible controllers, such as tokens [38]....

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  • ...The Token+constraint framework [38] explores this design space further, highlighting the importance of mechanical constraints, and allows users to build database queries by arranging tangibles where rules and meaning are inferred from spatial relationships....

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  • ...These build on and expand Ullmer’s Token and Constraint work [38]....

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  • ...This work builds on the rich literature of affordances and also strongly on the Token+constraint framework [38], but expands on it by considering dynamic changes....

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Proceedings ArticleDOI
18 Feb 2008
TL;DR: This paper discusses a model of TUI, key properties, genres, applications, and summarizes the contributions made by the Tangible Media Group and other researchers since the publication of the first Tangible Bits paper at CHI 1997.
Abstract: Tangible user interfaces (TUIs) provide physical form to digital information and computation, facilitating the direct manipulation of bits. Our goal in TUI development is to empower collaboration, learning, and design by using digital technology and at the same time taking advantage of human abilities to grasp and manipulate physical objects and materials. This paper discusses a model of TUI, key properties, genres, applications, and summarizes the contributions made by the Tangible Media Group and other researchers since the publication of the first Tangible Bits paper at CHI 1997. http://tangible.media.mit.edu/

536 citations

Book
26 Feb 2010
TL;DR: Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) as discussed by the authors have emerged as a new interface type that interlinks the digital and physical worlds, drawing upon users' knowledge and skills of interaction with the real non-digital world, showing a potential to enhance the way in which people interact with and leverage digital information.
Abstract: In the last two decades, Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) have emerged as a new interface type that interlinks the digital and physical worlds. Drawing upon users' knowledge and skills of interaction with the real non-digital world, TUIs show a potential to enhance the way in which people interact with and leverage digital information. However, TUI research is still in its infancy and extensive research is required in order to fully understand the implications of tangible user interfaces, to develop technologies that further bridge the digital and the physical, and to guide TUI design with empirical knowledge. This monograph examines the existing body of work on Tangible User Interfaces. We start by sketching the history of tangible user interfaces, examining the intellectual origins of this field. We then present TUIs in a broader context, survey application domains, and review frameworks and taxonomies. We also discuss conceptual foundations of TUIs including perspectives from cognitive sciences, psychology, and philosophy. Methods and technologies for designing, building, and evaluating TUIs are also addressed. Finally, we discuss the strengths and limitations of TUIs and chart directions for future research.

373 citations

References
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Book
01 Jan 1979
TL;DR: The relationship between Stimulation and Stimulus Information for visual perception is discussed in detail in this article, where the authors also present experimental evidence for direct perception of motion in the world and movement of the self.
Abstract: Contents: Preface. Introduction. Part I: The Environment To Be Perceived.The Animal And The Environment. Medium, Substances, Surfaces. The Meaningful Environment. Part II: The Information For Visual Perception.The Relationship Between Stimulation And Stimulus Information. The Ambient Optic Array. Events And The Information For Perceiving Events. The Optical Information For Self-Perception. The Theory Of Affordances. Part III: Visual Perception.Experimental Evidence For Direct Perception: Persisting Layout. Experiments On The Perception Of Motion In The World And Movement Of The Self. The Discovery Of The Occluding Edge And Its Implications For Perception. Looking With The Head And Eyes. Locomotion And Manipulation. The Theory Of Information Pickup And Its Consequences. Part IV: Depiction.Pictures And Visual Awareness. Motion Pictures And Visual Awareness. Conclusion. Appendixes: The Principal Terms Used in Ecological Optics. The Concept of Invariants in Ecological Optics.

21,493 citations


"Token+constraint systems for tangib..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Human manipulation of objects can be divided into of “exploratory” and “performatory” actions [Gibson 1979], or alternately “epistemic” and “pragmatic” actions [Kirsh 1995]....

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  • ...[Gibson 1979, p. 133] From the perspective of constraints, Norman goes on to add: Physical constraints are closely related to real affordances: For example, it is not possible to move the cursor outside the screen [though Rekimoto et al. 2001 has shown compelling realizations of this]....…...

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  • ...Human manipulation of objects can be divided into two types of actions, exploratory and performatory actions [Gib­son 1979], or alternately epistemic and pragmatic actions [Kirsh 1995]....

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Proceedings ArticleDOI
27 Mar 1997
TL;DR: Tangible Bits allows users to "grasp & manipulate" bits in the center of users’ attention by coupling the bits with everyday physical objects and architectural surfaces and ambient media for background awareness.
Abstract: This paper presents our vision of Human Computer Interaction (HCI): "Tangible Bits." Tangible Bits allows users to "grasp & manipulate" bits in the center of users’ attention by coupling the bits with everyday physical objects and architectural surfaces. Tangible Bits also enables users to be aware of background bits at the periphery of human perception using ambient display media such as light, sound, airflow, and water movement in an augmented space. The goal of Tangible Bits is to bridge the gaps between both cyberspace and the physical environment, as well as the foreground and background of human activities. This paper describes three key concepts of Tangible Bits: interactive surfaces; the coupling of bits with graspable physical objects; and ambient media for background awareness. We illustrate these concepts with three prototype systems ‐ the metaDESK, transBOARD and ambientROOM ‐ to identify underlying research issues.

3,885 citations


"Token+constraint systems for tangib..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Regarding the “dual use” of the “tokens” term, our earlier term “phicons” [Ishii and Ullmer 1997] might serve as a substitute label for iconic, statically bound tokens....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work describes systems that are informationally equivalent and that can be characterized as sentential or diagrammatic, and contrasts the computational efficiency of these representotions for solving several illustrative problems in mothematics and physics.

3,237 citations

Proceedings Article
08 Mar 1994

2,245 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: As I talked with enthusiasts and examined the systems they used, I began to develop a model of the features that produced such delight, and the central ideas seemed to be visibility of the object of interest; rapid, reversible, incremental actions; and replacement of complex command language syntax by direct manipulation of the objects of interest.
Abstract: These feelings are not, of course, universal, but the amalgam does convey an image of the truly pleased user. As I talked with these enthusiasts and examined the systems they used, I began to develop a model of the features that produced such delight. The central ideas seemed to be visibility of the object of interest; rapid, reversible, incremental actions; and replacement of complex command language syntax by direct manipulation of the object of interest-hence the term \"direct manipulation.\" Examples of direct manipulation systems

2,012 citations