Marked-up Maps integrate paper maps with electronic information resources on small devices. This allows portable, large, foldable paper maps to serve as the basis for location-specific information retrieval, and navigation-related tasks.
Our first prototype implementation uses paper maps fitted with an array of RFID tags/labels. Tags are placed either beneath each region of interest, or in a regular grid (permitting different kinds of interaction). PDAs with RFID readers retrieve information by holding the device face-up in front of the region of interest and pressing a button on the device [11].
The second prototype extended this by permitting lens functionality, gestural interactions (lasso and path selections), and more advanced discrete interactions (selecting multiple items and filtering via a paper menu) [8]. Subsequent work has added multi-user capability and extensions for collaborative annotation [5,6].
In addition, a number of alternative technical approaches to interaction with maps have been explored, including a hybrid RFID + vision approach built on map iconography [3], and combining optical flow methods with markers in the near-infrared [4].
A marked-up map of Nottingham, England was used to tour the city. Evaluating the use of the paper map and PDA combination in a real scenario guided further development of the prototype [8,10].
We ran a study to explore user attitudes and use patterns of our marked-up map implementation for retrieving location-specific information. Three different maps (Nottingham - tourist, Montreal - subway, Vancouver - road map with grid) were marked-up with relevant information (tourist attraction details, subway station information, regional information).
We compared this with a combination paper map and electronic resource including an electronic version of the map and an alphabetical index. Results showed that more time was spent looking at the paper map when the marked-up links were provided, and that tasks involving 2 or more map locations were completed more efficiently and correctly using the marked-up technique [10].
In this study we examined the relationship between selection feedback (on the device), the paper map's design, and the interaction techniques used to interact with the map. Encouragingly, the interaction techniques chosen to accomplish different task families were largely consistent with expectations [9]. Feedback style and map layout were shown to significantly impact interaction patterns, however, leading to important considerations for mixed media design [1].
Map Morphing is an interactive morph between two maps covering approximately the same region. Using both blending and distortion, the maps appear to merge into one another. This allows the user to directly visualize how the two maps diverge from one another in their presentation.
This is particularly useful when one or both maps provide views that aren't spatially accurate (such as the typical "schematic" subway map).
We currently generate short movie sequences (between 10-20 frames), which the user controls with a slider (blending and distortion are not independently controlled). In this way they can interactively build an understanding of how the two maps are related. The movie sequences are created using the free MorphX software.
An exploratory study compared the technique against other ways of relating maps. Three different pairs of maps were used (Europe-Middle East ancient/modern, London subway/street, and Toronto transit/tourist). User evaluations were positive, and participants were more likely to correctly complete certain navigation tasks using the morphing interface [2].
This larger study explored more specifically whether morphing helps to build a lasting understanding of map interrelationships. Results indicate that the technique's effectiveness for recall of relationships is affected by the setting in which it is used. Participants who used the technique in a casual, noisy atrium environment had better recall than those who used it in a controlled, quiet white room [1], while the same effect was not found for juxtaposing maps.