Chapter 9: Symbolic Input

We turn our attention in this chapter to the task of symbolic input, a 3D interaction task that has been studied relatively little compared to travel, wayfinding, selection, manipulation, and system control. Symbolic input is the task in which users communicate symbolic information (text, numbers, and other symbols or marks) to the system. Everyone who uses computers performs symbolic input tasks constantly—writing email messages, entering numbers into a spreadsheet, composing documents, and so on. The importance of symbolic input in 2D interfaces is clear, but why is symbolic input an important task in 3D UIs?

9.1. Introduction

    9.1.1. Why Is Symbolic Input Important?

    9.1.2. Scenarios of Use

    9.1.3. Brief History of Symbolic Input

    9.1.4. Distinctive Features of Symbolic Input in 3D UIs

    9.1.5. Chapter Roadmap

9.2. Symbolic Input Tasks

    9.2.1. Alphanumeric Input

    9.2.2. Editing Alphanumeric Symbols

    9.2.3. Markup Input

9.3. Symbolic Input Techniques

    9.3.1. Keyboard-Based Techniques

    9.3.2. Pen-Based Techniques

    9.3.3. Gesture-Based Techniques

    9.3.4. Speech-Based Techniques

9.4. Design Guidelines

9.5. Beyond Number and Text Entry

Table of Contents

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