Providing plasticity and redistribution for 3D user interfaces using the D3PART model

We propose dynamic 3D plastic and redistributable technology (D3PART), a model to handle redistribution for 3D user interfaces. Redistribution consists in changing the components distribution of an interactive system across different dimensions such as, platform, display and user. Our work is based on previous models for the creation of 3D plastic user interfaces, interactive systems that can handle the context of use modifications while preserving usability. In our previous work, we proposed a task model, a device model and an application component model for the creation of plastic user interfaces that handle the 3D specificities. With D3PART, we extend these models in order to include redistribution capabilities. The final solution lets developers create applications where 3D content and tasks can be automatically redistributed across the different dimensions at runtime. The proposed redistribution process is based on a client-server architecture with a meta-user interface to control the redistribution configuration. In order to illustrate D3PART, we describe three different scenarios of redistribution between a tablet and a CAVE for a 3D application for furniture planning. Indeed, with an implementation of our model, we show how redistribution can be used at runtime to combine these platforms, to switch seamlessly from one platform to another, and lastly, how redistribution can be used to create a collaborative context of use.