Towards Pressure-Aware, Fluid Pen Interactions

Dr Gonzalo Ramos

Computer Science, University of Toronto.

Fri Oct 12 15:10:00 NZDT 2007 in Room 031, MSCS

Abstract

Pen-based computers have yet to realize the same degree of success as their more widely used keyboard- and mouse-driven counterparts. This lack of success is largely due to the almost direct application of the standard point-and-click keyboard/mouse-based interface on to pen-based systems.

In this talk I will argue that pressure is one of the most promising additional inputs a pen can provide. It can be used to expand the vocabulary of available interactions with pen-based computers in novel and unexplored ways. For example, we can imagine using the pen's pressure with current tablet computers either to operate user-interface elements that have several discrete states, or to control the value of a continuous variable. This additional input modality increases the human-computer communication bandwidth as well as the computer's usability, particularly when tablet computers act as pure slates without keyboards. These benefits also extend to everyday devices such as personal digital assistants, cell phones, and watches, all where pressure-sensing can be easily incorporated.

However, in order to use pressure in these devices, appropriate user-interface elements and interaction techniques must be designed. I will describe some of my explorations in the design space of pressure-aware, fluid pen interactions drawing upon an equal mix of user studies and novel interaction designs.

Sadly, pen-based computers remain little more than regular desktop computers with the mouse replaced by a pen. Hopefully this talk will rattle the cages on this issue and generate a good amount of healthy debate.