Séminaire de Ravin Balakrishnan, Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto
Lundi 10 Juillet 2006, 15H00
Amphi Turing, Bat M3
Title : Physics, projection, piles, and pens: user interfaces in the post GUI era.
Abstract: The past few decades have seen phenomenal advances in computing technology,
particularly in processing power, networking, and hardware miniaturization. However, our user
interfaces to this technology remain largely stuck with the GUI and associated metaphors that
were invented in the early 1970's. In this talk, I will discuss several current projects in my
lab that are exploring interfaces for when the GUI and mouse are finally put to rest. These
include the use of physical simulations and piling for pen-based interaction; techniques for
interacting with information spaces using mobile handheld projectors; and interfaces for true
3D volumetric displays.
Brief Biography: Ravin Balakrishnan is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in
Human-Centred Interfaces at the Department of Computer
Science, University of Toronto , where he co-directs
the Dynamic Graphics Project (DGP) laboratory. He is
also a member of the Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI). His research interests are in Human Computer
Interaction (HCI) and Interactive Computer Graphics. Prof. Balakrishnan earned his Ph.D. in
Computer Science from the University of Toronto, while concurrently working part-time as a
researcher at Alias (now Autodesk) from 1997-2001. He is the recipient of several research
awards and appointments, including the Bell University Laboratories Associate Chair in HCI at
the University of Toronto (2002-present), a Premier's Research Excellence Award from the
government of Ontario, and best paper awards at the ACM CHI 2005, ACM UIST 2004, and Graphics
Interface 2005 conferences. Further information, including publications and videos
demonstrating some of his research, can be obtained from http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~ravin