Applications of Interactive Topographic Maps: Tangibility with Improved Spatial Awareness and Readability

dc.contributor.advisorSharlin, Ehud
dc.contributor.advisorCosta Sousa, Mario
dc.contributor.authorLi, Hao
dc.contributor.committeememberTakashima, Kazuki
dc.contributor.committeememberChen, Zhangxing
dc.contributor.committeememberFigueroa, Pablo
dc.contributor.committeememberWillett, Wesley J.
dc.date2019-11
dc.date.accessioned2019-07-04T13:46:57Z
dc.date.available2019-07-04T13:46:57Z
dc.date.issued2019-07-02
dc.description.abstractTraditional flat topographic maps are difficult to understand due to the distortion and compromise of the 3-dimensional (3D) spatial representation when it is folded into lower-dimension media (e.g. 2D). During the process, the x-y coordinate of a location can be captured but its physical elevation must be transformed using some visualization techniques, resulting in noticeable cognitive effort in comprehending the original geometric and geographic properties of the original terrain. In this manuscript-based dissertation, I present a collection of my past publications that aim to increase the readability of topographic maps by restoring the original spatiality of the terrain - including the elevations - with a physical map representation and then superimpose additional data visualization on top of it. In this way, the entire terrain topology is kept in a scaled physical representation, allowing users to view it with natural human perceptions. Additionally, user gestures can be tracked in real-time as a sketch-based input to allow novel dynamic interaction of the map interface and data manipulation of the spatial information. Through the chapters, I present the aforementioned concept, named interactive topographic interface, along with a few applications of it in different academic and industrial environments. I also report the design and results of a user study that compares the interface with traditional flat topographic maps. In the long-term, I hope that research mentioned in this dissertation inspires future interactive physical cartography to not only improve map comprehension but also facilitate better spatial and situational awareness over the map interface, resulting in an evolved map usefulness.en_US
dc.identifier.citationLi, H. (2019). Applications of Interactive Topographic Maps: Tangibility with Improved Spatial Awareness and Readability (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/36697
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/110577
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultyScienceen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjecthuman-computer interactionen_US
dc.subjecttangible user interfaceen_US
dc.subjecttopographic mapen_US
dc.subjectaugmented realityen_US
dc.subjectphysicalizationen_US
dc.subjectphysical visualizationen_US
dc.subjectspatial awarenessen_US
dc.subject.classificationComputer Scienceen_US
dc.titleApplications of Interactive Topographic Maps: Tangibility with Improved Spatial Awareness and Readabilityen_US
dc.typedoctoral thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineComputer Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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