Present natural resource information systems contain a variety of styles of data and analysis tools. The data includes financial information, reports, resource information databases, GPS logs, remote sensed images, air photography, satellite imagery and spatial data. In a present day scenario where natural resources information is presented to a group meeting, the relevant information is stored on a central computer which uses a standard projector to display the information a wall (Scotta et al., 2006). The central computer has the required software to show the data in appropriate context, meaning that GIS data is shown using a GIS, financial information is shown using spreadsheets,
database information is shown in form or report view, etc. Often the digital information is supplemented by posters, reports and large format maps.
A review by Scotta et al, suggests that tangible multi-touch tabletops (touch tables) offer a viable alternative to the present traditional method. ‘The concept of tangible user interface (TUI) seems the ideal solution for discussion groups’ (Scotta et al., 2006). Scotta et al reviewed the TangiTable and the MapTable. The TangiTable used by the model and design business RoVorm, to perform pre-set GIS actions displaying results projected directly onto a table. The pre-set actions are controlled by placement of coloured tangible objects discs to activate spatial actions such as zoom, query and flyover. The configuration of the system consists of a camera and projector suspended directly above a table. A computer interprets the camera feed to detect the discs. This informatiom is sent to the GIS which processes the appropriate GIS action. The result is projected upon the table. The system is seen in action in Figure 12. The coloured boxes on the left hand side provide map information requested by placement of the matching coloured discs.
Figure 12: The TangiTable in action . The red, green , and blue discs activate GIS actions on the map.
The TangiTable only has basic map functions. It is not capable of performing medium or complex analysis, therefore it is not capable of answering anything more than basic queries.
Another example, The MapTable is used by the Dutch ministry for transport, public works and water management to evaluate the impact of changes to town planning boundaries. The system is based on a table because the work purpose involves consultation with local experts and the table is thought to aide the discussion process. The control is a hand sized stylus so changes are drawn directly on the map on the tabletop. These changes are processed in a town planning mapping GIS model and the
results are displayed within a short time. This system uses a camera and projector system similar to the TangiTable, yet this version is designed for portability. The MapTable is capable of advanced GIS analysis, but is only designed for one clearly defined purpose, hence is very limited in its applicationDespite their limitations, both systems show the potential for this form factor to meet the needs of a natural resource interactive system.
Limited functionality is sometimes all that is needed for a fully functioning system. The early TUI development work of the GeoTUI system is a good example of a simple system successfully suiting a complicated task. GeoTUI is used by Geophysists for planning cutting planes on a subsoil map. A standard map of subsurface soil profiles is projected upon a table (Figure 13) which uses a ruler as a tangible object to select the appropriate cutting plane. The ruler is linked to software for the manipulation of 3D volumetric geographical subsoil models which tracks the ruler and updates the map to the next subsurface profile.
“The major idea is to use a tabletop vision-projection system and props as tangible user interfaces that can be manipulated directly on any suitable table (see Figure 12). In this way, we combine the horizontal working conditions (that the geophysicists are used to when working on a desk) with the use of powerful geological simulation software. Moreover, by using the props directly on the table, the geophysicists interact in the same way as in the classical paper map environment.” (Couture et al. 2008, p.90)
Figure 13: The setup of the GeoTUI sytem.
The user study compared the traditional system using a mouse with GeoTUI. The tasks were real world practical tasks using factual subsoil maps. The within-subjects study used 10 participants for two days. The participants completed a qualitative questionnaire which was assessed user preferences. The tasks were times and observed
by the investigators. The comments showed that they preferred to use the tangible system as it seemed more natural than the mouse based system. They also felt that the work was quicker and more effective. The quantitative measures showed that the tangible interactions performed quicker and more effectively than using a mouse and keyboard (Couture et al., 2008). The Geophysists benefited from the tactile response and direct control available by using their hands in a tangible user interface.
A disaster management application is a close match sharing many common features to a natural resource application. It is worth reviewing disaster management TUI since there are few natural resource TUI, apart from game simulations (Antle et al., 2011). One such system is the Multi-User Tangible Tabletop Interface (MUTI) (Hofstra et al., 2008). The MUTI system acknowledges that tangible objects are integral in these circumstances, as users have ‘natural tendencies to reach, touch and grasp.’ (Hofstra et al., 2008). However, the MUTI system takes an opposing view on the use of tangible objects to traditional tangible systems. MUTI has been designed to allow objects to be placed upon the interactive surface as dormant elements that have no effect on the interface, thus permitting operators to write notes and draw diagrams on physical paper/notepads without triggering unwanted effects. This non-interaction of tangible objects is the natural workflow in this style of work. In a group situation a large printed map laid on a table immediately sparks interaction and collaboration. People are drawn to the map, talking and pointing. Frequently these collaborators use supporting information to make their point. This information takes the form of smaller maps, reports, photos and post-it notes. Although worth considering from a natural workflow perspective, MUTI, could benefit if it was able to accept limited tangible object interaction, while still allowing notepads and reports to be used on the tabletop, that way MUTI would have the most effective features of both worlds.
The TanGeoMS system discussed in Section 2.4.4 by North Carolina State University extends the Illuminating Clay project by linking to a Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The researchers call this system Tangible Geospatial Modelling (TanGeoMS).