Emerging frameworks for tangible user interfaces

TLDR

The paper situates tangible interfaces within broader research themes inside and beyond human‑computer interaction. The study aims to develop a conceptual framework and the MCRpd interaction model for tangible user interfaces. The authors propose the MCRpd interaction model, using it as a basis to identify and discuss key characteristics of tangible user interfaces. They identify multiple systems demonstrating these characteristics and classify them across twelve application domains.

Abstract

We present steps toward a conceptual framework for tangible user interfaces. We introduce the MCRpd interaction model for tangible interfaces, which relates the role of physical and digital representations, physical control, and underlying digital models. This model serves as a foundation for identifying and discussing several key characteristics of tangible user interfaces. We identify a number of systems exhibiting these characteristics, and situate these within 12 application domains. Finally, we discuss tangible interfaces in the context of related research themes, both within and outside of the human-computer interaction domain.