A comparison of direct and indirect multi-touch input for large surfaces

Dominik Schmidt*, Florian Block, Hans Gellersen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Multi-touch input on interactive surfaces has matured as a device for bimanual interaction and invoked widespread research interest. We contribute empirical work on direct versus indirect use multi-touch input, comparing direct input on a tabletop display with an indirect condition where the table is used as input surface to a separate, vertically arranged display surface. Users perform significantly better in the direct condition; however our experiments show that this is primarily the case for pointing with comparatively little difference for dragging tasks. We observe that an indirect input arrangement impacts strongly on the users' fluidity and comfort of 'hovering' movement over the surface, and suggest investigation of techniques that allow users to rest their hands on the surface as default position for interaction.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHuman-Computer Interaction - INTERACT 2009 - 12th IFIP TC 13 International Conference, Proceedings
Pages582-594
Number of pages13
Volume5726 LNCS
EditionPART 1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Event12th IFIP TC 13 International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, INTERACT 2009 - Uppsala, Sweden
Duration: 24 Aug 200928 Aug 2009

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
NumberPART 1
Volume5726 LNCS
ISSN (Print)03029743
ISSN (Electronic)16113349

Conference

Conference12th IFIP TC 13 International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, INTERACT 2009
Country/TerritorySweden
CityUppsala
Period24/08/0928/08/09

Keywords

  • Indirect input
  • Multi-touch interfaces
  • Surface computing

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