InfoPhys: Direct Manipulation of Information Visualisation through a Force-Feedback Pointing Device

Information visualisation is the transformation of abstract data into visual, interactive representations. In this paper we present InfoPhys, a device that enables the direct, tangible manipulation of visualisations. InfoPhys makes use of a force-feedback pointing device to simulate haptic feedback while the user explores visualisations projected on top of the device. We present a use case illustrating the trends in ten years of TEI proceedings and how InfoPhys allows users to feel and manipulate these trends. The technical and software aspects of our prototype are presented, and promising improvements and future work opened by InfoPhys are then discussed.