The MediaMetro application provides an interactive 3D visualization of multimedia document collections using a city metaphor. The directories are mapped to city layouts using algorithms similar to treemaps. Each multimedia document is represented by a building and visual summaries of the different constituent media types are rendered onto the sides of the building. From videos, Manga storyboards with keyframe images are created and shown on the façade; from slides and text, thumbnail images are produced and subsampled for display on the building sides. The images resemble windows on a building and can be selected for media playback. To support more facile navigation between high overviews and low detail views, a novel swooping technique was developed that combines altitude and tilt changes with zeroing in on a target.

We present CUBIK, a bi-directional tangible modeling interface used to aid architects and designers in the process of creating and manipulating 3D models with the computer. CUBIK consists of a wire frame cube structure and an interactive virtual cube as its user interfaces. When activated users can manipulate a 3D model from either interface physically or virtually. Any one interface can change its configuration according to manipulations from the other interface, enabling designers to directly assemble and manipulate tangible objects as an aid in designing 3D models. This can improve the interaction between designers and computer-aided design systems. KeywordsComputer-aided design, tangible modeling, computational construction kits, bi-directional interface

It is challenging to browse multimedia on mobile devices with small displays. We present MiniMedia Surfer, a prototype application for interactively searching a multimedia collection for video segments of interest. Transparent layers are used to support browsing subtasks: keyword query, exploration of results through keyframes, and playback of video. This layered interface smoothly blends the key tasks of the browsing process and deals with the small screen size. During exploration, the user can adjust the transparency levels of the layers using pen gestures. Details of the video segments are displayed in an expandable timeline that supports gestural interaction.

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Using a machine to assist remote environment management can save people's time, effort, and traveling cost. This paper proposes a trainable mobile robot system, which allows people to watch a remote site through a set of cameras installed on the robot, drive the platform around, and control remote devices using mouse or pen based gestures performed in video windows. Furthermore, the robot can learn device operations when it is being used by humans. After being used for a while, the robot can automatically select device control interfaces, or launch a pre-defined operation sequence based on its sensory inputs.