Digital Montessori-inspired Manipulatives (MiMs) so far have been used effectively for knowledge transfer in elementary educational settings. For work modeling and task-based interactive systems design we propose a modeling concept and usage scenario that should help to increase effectiveness in organization and technology development. The Tangible Task Modeling Demonstrator (TTMD) facilitates ...

The goal of this thesis is to provide a generic architecture and software framework for graphical multi-touch and multi-user interfaces. In recent years, research in novel types of computer-human interaction has increased considerably. Particularly multi-touch and multi-user interfaces have received a lot of interest, partly due to the availability of robust and affordable sensor hardware. This...

Dirty Tangible Interfaces (DIRTI) are a new concept in interface design that forgoes the dogma of repeatability in favor of a richer and more complex experience, constantly evolving, never reversible, and infinitely modifiable. We built a prototype based on granular or liquid interaction material placed in a glass dish, that is analyzed by video tracking for its 3D relief. This relief, and the ...

Tangible User Interfaces increasingly gain attention for their supportive potential in cognitive processes. More and more often the terms e-Learning and tangible interaction are been referred to in one word as Tangible e-Learning. This paper gives a general overview on the topic in reference to development history, research and effectiveness. It explains how epistemology, together with its idea...

We introduce topobo, a constructive assembly system invented to give children a tangible tool to physically simulate kinematic systems, and thus develop an intuition about how such systems behave. topobo is embedded with kinetic memory, the ability to record and playback physical motion. We discuss some of the system’s underlying concepts in the context of educational manipulative materials for...

Today’s computer systems rely on standard input and output hardware which often complicates the tasks of interacting and mapping. The Tangible Reminder introduced in this paper presents an highly usable, self explanatory, real life interface. It’s task is to keep track of appointments, giving an overview over their current states and reminding the user of upcoming events. For that purpose it in...

This is a write-up of material presented at keynote talks at Virtual Reality 2012 and at Shape Modeling International 2012. Producing tangible, physical output becomes a growing role for computer graphics due to the emergence of inexpensive rapid-prototyping machines and on-line fabrication services. While producing small models with a layered manufacturing process has become very easy, creatin...

We describe a perspective on the evolution of TUIs with regard to personalization, by proposing a research theme emerging from trends in industry and academia. We present a framework for this design space and how TUIs populate this space. Elements of personalization and issues surrounding further incorporation of personalization are discussed. We propose research in personalization as a way to ...