Finding and using implicit structure in human-organized spatial layouts of information

Many interfaces allow users to manipulate graphical objects, icons representing underlying data or the data themselves, against a spatial backdrop or canvas. Users take advantage of the flexibility offered by spatial manipulation to create evolving lightweight structures. We have been investigating these implicit organizations so we can support user activities like information management or exploratory analysis. To accomplish this goal, we have analyzed the spatial structures people create in diverse settings and tasks, developed algorithms to detect the common structures we identified in our survey, and experimented with new facilities based on recognized structure. Similar recognition-based functionality can be used within many common applications, providing more support for users' activities with less attendant overhead.

Finding and using implicit structure in human-organized spatial layouts of information Conference Paper