Hover Widgets: Using the Tracking State to Extend the Capabilities of Pen-Operated Devices

Authors: Tovi Grossman, Ken Hinckley, Patrick Baudisch, Maneesh Agrawala, Ravin Balakrishnan

Abstract: We present Hover Widgets, a new technique for increasing the capabilities of pen-based interfaces. Hover Widgets are implemented by using the pen movements above the display surface, in the tracking state. Short gestures while hovering, followed by a pen down, access the Hover Widgets, which can be used to activate localized interface widgets. By using the tracking state movements, Hover Widgets create a new command layer which is clearly distinct from the input layer of a pen interface. In a formal experiment Hover Widgets were found to be faster than a more traditional command activation technique, and also reduced errors due to divided attention.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• CHI06

[cryptonic26]

wow, those look like some pretty intuitive design innovations.. I wonder how many levels of complexity one could add to those kind of gestures before it stops saving time in a given workflow.

[delgadilloaaron]

nice