Abstract

Multi-Touch Gestures for Controlling Synchronized Map Views
Track: New Technology and System Integration
Author(s): Alan Esenther

We present an enhancement of interactive map exploration techniques using multi-touch gestures. This enhancement tracks the relative locations of two points of contact on a 2D map that is displayed on a direct-touch surface. The two points allow for simple bi-manual gestures to dynamically and simultaneously adjust the point of view, rotation and zoom-factor of a related 2D or 3D map in a synchronized secondary view. We propose that the ease of simultaneously panning, zooming and rotating a secondary map view will greatly improve the end-user's ability to explore maps. While not central to the technique, we note that that system is designed such that there can be multiple simultaneous 2D or 3D secondary views, each running on any device that can consume a web service, and each optionally controlled by a separate user. We also present our experiences enhancing and using Esri applications in this environment.

Alan Esenther
Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs
201 Broadway
Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139
United States
Phone: 617-621-7564
E-mail: esenther@merl.com