Paper Reading#12 Enabling Beyond-Surface Interactions for Interactive Surface with an Invisible Projection

Author: Li-Wei Chan, Hsiang-Tao Wu, Hui-Shan Kao, Ju-Chun Ko, Home-Ru Lin, Mike Y. Chen, Jane Hsu, Yi-Ping Hung.  

Author info: 

Li-Wei Chan- PhD student at the National Taiwan University

Hsiang-Tao Wu, Hui-Shan Kao, and Home-Ru Lin - students at the National Taiwan University 

Ju-Chun Ko- PhD student at the National Taiwan University  

Mike Chen- professor at the National Taiwan University.  

Jane Hsu- professor at National Taiwan University. 
Yi-Ping Hung- professor at National Taiwan University.
Location:UIST '10 Proceedings of the 23nd annual ACM symposium New York

Summary

Hypothesis

Using programmable infrared techniques to see if it can allow support interaction with a device other than a simple display surface

Method

System implemented was based on the following:

-invisible light projector- designed to show invisible content for 3D localization. The projector used as a infrared based projector

-table surface- made of two layers: glass/diffuse layer. Diffuse layer is on top of the glass layer. This is done to allow the best quality of projection from the table itself

the paper was over a prototype that uses a IR projector to display IR markers on a user display surface. The IR markers then are used by objects above the surface to allow interaction and to display more information. This was done by using a iLamp, iflashlight, iview. The iLamp was a pocket projector on a IR camera. The users would manipulate it to move the high resolution projection on the surface. The iflashlight can be used by users to look at the fine details of a specific location by focusing the iflashlight towards that area. The iview is a table computer on a IR camera. It allowed exploration of 3D information. (done by looking about 3D buildings from above the 2D map)

Result

There were complaints from the users that only the bottom portion of the building could seen. It was also noted that they wanted to be able to see the upper parts of the buildings as well. This was solved by lifting imView up to see the upper part of the structure. Another problem was the fact that the imView got lost above the table system. Some of the users also expressed their desire to be able to drag the map using the imFlashlight as well. Some of the issues with the imFlashlight was that it was difficult to for the users to be aware of the actual scene. Overall however the participants gave a positive response about the other products such as imLamp.

Content

The paper showed an attempt to use infrared light that was programmable to show a support interaction beyound the surface multi touch system. By using mobile devices, cameras, and markers. The authors tried to produce a multi display multi touch table top system on a map surface.

Discussion

I personally thought it was a interesting idea as it can allow the people to see closely into certain geographical regions of interest. For me the whole thing kinda felt like a pretty upgraded version of zoomed in google maps. But personally I can't see much application for mass commercial usage since the surface table it self looks quite big and since the product itself seems a bit unwieldy for accurately looking at one small location.