This paper proposes a new field of user interfaces called multi-computer direct manipulation and presents a pen-based direct manipulation technique that can be used for data transfer between different computers as well as within the same computer. The proposed Pick-and-Drop allows a user to pick up an object on a display and drop it on another display as if he/she were manipulating a physical object. Even though the pen itself does not have storage capabilities, a combination of Pen-ID and the pen manager on the network provides the illusion that the pen can physically pick up and move a computer object. Based on this concept, we have built several experimental applications using palm-sized, desktop, and wall-sized pen computers. We also considered the importance of physical artifacts in designing user interfaces in a future computing environment.

This paper describes our design and implementation of a computer augmented environment that allows users to smoothly interchange digital information among their portable computers, table and wall displays, and other physical objects. Supported by a camera-based object recognition system, users can easily integrate their portable computers with the pre-installed ones in the environment. Users can use displays projected on tables and walls as a spatially continuous extension of their portable computers. Using an interaction technique called hyperdragging, users can transfer information from one computer to another, by only knowing the physical relationship between them. We also provide a mechanism for attaching digital data to physical objects, such as a videotape or a document folder, to link physical and digital spaces.

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We present EMMIE (Environment Management for Multiuser Information Environments), a prototype experimental user interface to a collaborative augmented environment. Users share a 3D virtual space and manipulate virtual objects that represent information to be discussed. We refer to EMMIE as a hybrid user interface because it combines a variety of different technologies and techniques, including virtual elements such as 3D widgets, and physical objects such as tracked displays and input devices. See-through headworn displays overlay the virtual environment on the physical environment, visualizing the pervasive “virtual ether” within which all interaction occurs. Our prototype includes additional 2D and 3D displays, ranging from palm-sized to wall-sized, allowing the most appropriate one to be used for any task. Objects can be moved among displays (including across dimensionalities) through drag & drop. In analogy to 2D window managers, we describe a prototype implementation of a shared 3D environment manager that is distributed across displays, machines, and operating systems. We also discuss two methods we are exploring for handling information privacy in such an environment. 1.

Most conferencing systems are focused on facilitating one of two types of meetings: those in a single room, consisting entirely of colocated participants, or those with isolated individuals at different physical locations. Our experiences are of a third style: hybrid meetings consisting of both colocated groups and isolated participants. We illustrate the limitations of using an existing desktop-based tools in the shared meeting room portion of this hybrid meeting style, and propose adding a software control substrate matched to the specifics of the application to address the inadequacies. We derive requirements for the in-room applications, and, as a concrete example from the domain, describe the design and implementation of an application for manipulation of in-room shared video display. Our design employs a user interface split across multiple physical devices paired with a control protocol managing communication between them. The client portion runs on wirelessly-connected portable...

Abstract. In this paper we introduce the UbicompBrowser, a system that applies ubiquitous computing to the World-Wide Web. The UbicompBrowser extends the World-Wide Web in two ways into our everyday environments. First, it extends the browser concept by replacing the standard web user interface with a handheld access and control device and surrounding output devices. This ubiquitous user interface is determined dynamically based on the location of the handheld control. Secondly, the UbicompBrowser system extends the web concept of uniform access to resources by applying the same access method, uniform resource identifiers, to environment-specific resources, for example for access to the TV channels available on a TV set, and for access to light switches. In summary, the UbicompBrowser improves web accessibility by realizing a ubiquitous environment-based user interface, and by extending accessibility to environment-specific resources. 1.

This paper describes the development of a ubiquitous computing environment called the iRoom. Built from a foundation of the MIT Metaglue multi-agent software, a base level of functionality has been established in the iRoom. We discuss the research issues, applications currently under development, and a broader theme called iEcology of which we see iRoom as an instance.

The present study compares an adaptive simulated cellular-phone based recommender system to a non-adaptive one, in order to evaluate user preferences with respect to system adaptivity. The results show that users prefer the adaptive system over the non adaptive one even after minimal interaction with the system.

Growing demand for ubiquitous and pervasive computing has triggered a sharp rise in handheld device usage. At the same time, dynamic multimedia data has become accepted as core material which many important applications depend on, despite intensive costs in computation and resources. This paper investigates the suitability and constraints of using handheld devices for such applications. We firstly analyse the capabilities and limitations of current models of handheld devices and advanced features offered by next generation models. We then categorise these applications and discuss the typical requirements of each class. Important issues to be considered include data organisation and management, communication, and input and user interfaces. Finally, we briefly discuss future outlook and identify remaining areas for research.

We present EMMIE (Environment Management for Multiuser Information Environments), an experimental user interface to a collaborative augmented environment. Users share a 3D virtual space and manipulate virtual objects representing information to be discussed. This approach not only allows for cooperation in a shared physical space, but also addresses tele-collaboration in physically separate but virtually shared spaces. We refer to EMMIE as a hybrid user interface because it combines a variety of different technologies and techniques, including virtual elements such as 3D widgets, and physical objects such as tracked displays and input devices. See-through head-worn displays overlay the virtual environment on the physical environment. Our research prototype includes additional 2D and 3D displays, ranging from palm-sized to wall-sized, allowing the most appropriate one to be used for any task. Objects can be moved among displays (including across dimensionalities) through drag & drop. I...