Gestural interfaces suggested by field computation

This paper describes how to construct gestural interfaces from building blocks derived from field computation. Field computational building blocks are combined to produce recognizers of oriented gestures in a plane. The topics discussed include a unification of pull-down menus with the desktop using a branch cut type topology and an investigation of ways to automate drop and drag methods via the flow fields of autonomous differential equations. This paper also discusses how to measure primitive qualities of gestures such as encirclement in a mathematically consistent way using path integrals. When these building blocks are combined, gestural interfaces and methods of visual programming result.