The Pie Slider: Combining Advantages of the Real and the Virtual Space

Abstract

Abstract. The Pie Segment Slider is a novel parameter control interface combining the advantages of tangible input with the customizability of a graphical interface representation. The physical part of the interface consists of a round touchpad, which serves as an appropriate sensor for manipulating ring-shaped sliders arranged around a virtual object. The novel interface concept allows to shift a substantial amount of interaction task time from task preparation to its exploratory execution. Our user study compared the task performance of the novel interface to a common touchpad-operated GUI and examined the task sequences of both solutions. The results confirm the benefits of exploiting tangible input and proprioception for operating graphical user interface elements.

Comparing physical, overlay, and touch screen parameter controls

“…To date there is very little empirical evidence about how overlays compare to these other input techniques. The studies by Kincaid [11] and Kulik et al [13] (mentioned in the introduction) did not consider overlays for sliders, nor did they compare overlay and touch to physical controls.…”

“…For sighted applications, overlays first appeared in Data Tiles [16], where grooves in the tiles were used to guide pen input. More recently they have been used in conjunction with touch input [11,13]. A commercially available overlay assists with typing on a mobile touch screen device [25].…”

“…Similarly, Kulik et al [13] showed that a touch dial + overlay ("pie slider") supported faster input than indirect manipulation of graphical sliders. We extend the work of Kincaid and Kulik et al by asking the following questions: Do overlays provide the same benefit for sliders as for dials?…”