edith@ai.toronto.edu (Edith Fraser) (02/23/90)
Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto
(SF = Sandford Fleming Building, 10 King's College Road)
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COLLOQUIUM
SF1105, at 11:00 a.m., 6 March 1990
Hamed Ellozy
Thomas J. Watson Research Center
Edith Fraser
The Paper-Like Interface
This talk will describe a promising advance in the area of user interfaces,
namely: the domain of interfaces to highly interactive, visually oriented
applications whose primary function is to support editing or incremental
change. We are developing the necessary technology to permit users to
interact with applications in much the same style that they would employ in
a paper and pencil interface. Such applications are ubiquitous, ranging
from simple editing, to making spreadsheet "what-if" projections, to
database explortion. They cover text, graphics, and image-oriented
applications. Our technology allows the user to "write" directly on a
display, using a special scribing device. For example, a user could
"markup" a document using editing symbols, or enter textual information, or
manipulate a spreadsheet, or manipulate graphical information, etc.
As part of our efforts to evaluate the useability of such interfaces, we
have developed a "front-end" for Lotus 1-2-3 whereby a user can directly
markup and modify the spreadsheet with handwriting and editorial marks.
Representative front-ends to potential "real" applications will also be
described. One such application is a music sheet editor, whereby a user
can write both lyrics and notes on the display, perform editing operations,
and "play" the notes. Another prototype application is a sketch pad that
combines gesture recognition and handwriting recognition. Yet another
application is a mathematical formula formatter that recognizes gestures,
such as integral, summation, and special symbols.
A videotape detailing some of the features of the Paperlike Interface will
be shown.