Recent studies in situated augmented reality have explored interactive urban physical 3D models providing a physical anchor and context to data analysis. See-through Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) enhance these models by displaying virtual data around the buildings. However, the optimal positioning of multiple information relative to the physical referents is crucial yet has barely been explored. In this paper, we focus on arranging multiple data windows around a district model and present a design space describing the window layouts and linking techniques between the virtual data and its physical referent. We conduct three studies to evaluate these design dimensions for two fundamental visual search tasks: finding a data window for a given physical referent, and vice-versa. Our results reveal novel findings on the best combinations of window layout and link in terms of performance, mental workload and user preference. Finally, we propose a set of design guidelines for presenting situated immersive data around a physical urban model.

Decision support systems coupled with a Geographic Information System (GIS) are useful for assessing spatialized risks, which can be either natural, industrial or even anthropic. However, when the knowledge is not sufficiently precise or when the processes are complex, the methods of analysis of the GIS are not always sufficient. In this article, we propose to couple a GIS with a Fuzzy Expert System capable of evaluating fuzzy spatial rules, that is to say, fuzzy rules integrating spatial relations or properties. These are based on fuzzy mathematical morphology and model high-level metric or topological relationships such as “being close to”, “being in the direction of” or “being adjacent to”. The proposed approach has been applied to the identification of risky issues in the case of wildfires. We detail the expert knowledge modeled and show the results obtained in a graphic interface dedicated to the intervention of firefighters.

As public displays integrate 3D content, Overview+Detail (O+D) interfaces on mobile devices will allow for a personal 3D exploration of the public display. In this paper we study the properties of mobile-based interaction with O+D interfaces on 3D public displays. We evaluate three types of existing interaction techniques for the 3D translation of the Detail view: touchscreen input, mid-air movement of the mobile device (Mid-Air Phone) and mid-air movement of the hand around the device (Mid-Air Hand). In a first experiment, we compare the performance and user preference of these three types of techniques with previous training. In a second experiment, we study how well the two mid-air techniques perform with no training or human help to imitate usual conditions in public context. Results reveal that Mid-Air Phone and Hand perform best with training. However, without training or human help Mid-Air Phone is more intuitive and performs better on the first trial. Interestingly, on both experiments users preferred Mid-Air Hand. We conclude with a discussion on the use of mobile devices to interact with public O+D interfaces.