Animated Transitions for Multi-user Shared Large Displays

This study looks at the optimal duration for animated transitions between different views selected by different users operating a shared information visualization interface on a large display. In collaborative environments with a shared large screen both users are able to interact with the interface with users tending to alternate between the role of active-user and observer. This can cause problems if view updates are observed by users that do not trigger the updates themselves. These inactive users are more easily disoriented and confused by changes in the display that they themselves did not initiate. In order to reduce this sense of disorientation, animation can be used to smooth the transition between views. This study looks at the effect of different shared screen sizes on the optimal transition time. The results showed the best time for a shared large screen and a shared normal PC are both around 1000 ms. This is significantly longer than the best time on a single-user device which is in the range of 300 ms.