Surface Computing / Tabletop Display Research

Meredith Ringel Morris

Microsoft Research

My research on surface computing explores the use of horizontal interactive displays for a variety of entertainment, educational, and productivity applications. My Ph.D. dissertation, "Supporting Effective Interaction with Tabletop Groupware", introduced novel interaction techniques and compared interface designs for supporting co-located group work around computer-augmented tables. Since completing my Ph.D., I have continued to conduct surface research; currently, my research focuses on studying the use of surface computing systems for everyday tasks in realistic (non-laboratory) settings.

I'm publicity co-chair for IEEE Tabletops and Interactive Surfaces 2008: check out the website, and consider submitting your work and/or attending!

I'm co-chair of the Demos program for CSCW 2008: check out the Call for Demos, and consider submitting your work!

Surfaces in the "real world"

  • study of the usability of horizontal surfaces for active reading tasks [ Tabletop 2007 paper ]

Educational applications of surface computing

  • interfaces to promote equitable participation by students during educational group work [ IEEE CG&A paper ]
  • SIDES: a tabletop game for social skills development aimed at youth with Asperger's syndrome [ CSCW 2006 paper ]

Access control and coordination on multi-user surfaces

Space management on multi-user surfaces

  • Drawers: hybrid tangible/virtual storage spaces for interactive tables [ Ubicomp 2006 poster ]
  • TeamTag: a study comparing shared vs. distributed widget placement on tabletops [ CHI 2006 paper ]
  • Individual audio channels to provide private feedback [ CSCW 2004 paper ]

Gesture interfaces for surfaces

  • Cooperative Gestures: multi-user gestural interactions for tabletop displays [ CHI 2006 paper ]
  • Barehands: a system for enabling gestures on a large, wall-mounted surface [ CHI 2001 paper ]

Miscellaneous surface computing projects