"Language and knowledge are dissolubly connected; they are interdependent."
-Annie Sullivan

The Advanced User Interface group of the University of Michigan Digital Library project employs user centered approaches to push the state of the art in human computer interaction for information seeking. We are building visually rich, highly interactive, and multiperson interfaces to support the extended information gathering and organizing tasks, not just the traditional "one-shot query."  We also seek to inform the general UMDL reseach community about future collections and services that its agent archictecture might provide to support such advanced interfaces.

Our current designs focus on  compelling new methods of interaction, one built on the multiscale (infinite pan and zoom) platform of PAD++, and another on a  distributed multi-person computing environment with a feel much like a MOO, called CCR.

Visual Querying of Digital Library Information

• This research prototype system explores a visually rich interface for querying and navigation in a personal workspace containing digital library information. In particular, it investigates the synergy between querying and navigation. This is demonstrated by allowing any object to be used to query any set of objects anywhere in the workspace, by retaining the structure while displaying query results to allow navigation, and by allowing a smooth transition between the two tasks.
• Sample Task Scenario: A university professor is preparing an astronomy lecture. She has written an outline and is looking for images to illustrate a point. She uses words from her outline to query the information space, then continues with her lecture, alternating between authoring, browsing and navigating as appropriate.

• Additional Screen Shots
  • User sweeps out a "query"
  • User sweeps out some "collections" 
  • System highlights, in context, the "return set"

   

  • User zooms  in to browse the results
    • Zoom-in 1    Zoom-in 2 
    • Zoom-in 3 Zoom-in 4 
    • Zoom-in 5Zoom-in 6 

• Further information on this prototype

Collaborative Visual Information Gathering

• This research prototype interface explores social aspects of information gathering. In particular, it explores an environment where geographically dispersed group can move smoothly between synchronous group or asynchronous sub-group or individual interactions. The sub-groups can be formed dynamically. Shareable artifacts can be created by the individual, sub-groups, or the group as a whole. The emphasis here is on visual information.
• Sample Task Scenario: A group of students is studying the similarities and differences between the moons in the Solar System. At present they are examining visual differences in the moons. Two of the students are in New Mexico-one at home, one at school. A third is at school in Michigan. They have each assumed responsibilities for a couple of planets, and are now meeting electronically to assemble their results.

• Further information on this prototype.

Contact George W. Furnas, furnas@umich.edu