HyFinBall: A Two-Handed, Hybrid 2D/3D Desktop VR Interface for Visualization

Abstract

This paper presents the concept, working prototype and design space of a two-handed, hybrid spatial user interface for desktop VR targeted at users where a minimally immersive, desktop VR system is appropriate. The user interface supports dual button balls (6DOF isotonic controllers with multiple buttons) which automatically switch between 6DOF mode (xyz + roll,pitch,yaw), and planar-3DOF mode (xy + yaw) upon contacting the desktop. The mode switch automatically switches a button ball s visual representation between a 3D cursor and a mouse-like 2D cursor while also switching the available user interaction techniques (ITs) between 3D and 2D IT s. Further, the small form factor of the button ball allows the user to engage in 2D multi-touch or 3D gestures without releasing and re-acquiring the device. We call the device and hybrid interface the HyFinBall interface which is an abbreviation for Hybrid Finger Ball. We describe the user interface (hardware and software), the design space, as well as preliminary results of a formal user study. This is done in the context of a rich, visual analytics interface containing coordinated views with 2D and 3D visualizations and interactions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA591791

Entities

People

  • Isaac Cho
  • Xiaoyu Wang
  • Zachary Wartell

Organizations

  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Augmented Reality
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computers
  • Data Visualization
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Geometry
  • Graphics
  • Haptics
  • Human Systems Integration
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Human-Machine Interaction
  • Mixed Reality
  • Mobile Devices
  • Three Dimensional
  • User Interface
  • Virtual Reality

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers