CHI 97 Conference on Human Factors in Computing systems Atlanta, Georgia USA 22-27 March 1997 1997 ACM

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This paper presents our vision of Human Computer Interaction (HCI): "TangibleBits." Tangible Bits allows users to "grasp & manipulate"bits in the center of users' attention by coupling the bits with everydayphysical objects and architectural surfaces. Tangible Bits also enablesusers to be aware of background bits at the periphery of human perceptionusing ambient display media such as light, sound, airflow, and water movementin an augmented space. The goal of Tangible Bits is to bridge the gaps betweenboth cyberspace and the physical environment, as well as the foregroundand background of human activities.

This paper describes three key concepts of Tangible Bits: interactivesurfaces; the coupling of bits with graspable physical objects; and ambientmedia for background awareness. We illustrate these concepts with threeprototype systems - the metaDESK, transBOARD and ambientROOM - to identify underlying research issues.