Paper Reading#13 Combining Multiple Depth Cameras and Projectors for Interactions On, Above, and Between Surfaces

Authors: Andrew Wilson, Hrvoje Benko
Author info:
Andrew Wilson/Hrvoje Benko - Microsoft Research
Summary
Hypothesis
The experiment was conducted to see if the users were able to use the LightSpace device without trouble. They also predicted that the lightSpace device would be able to handle a number of people at once (several people at a time)

Method
The demo was tested for three days at a convention. There were about several hundred people that tested it during this time period. The people were given free usage to experiment during this course of time. The researchers watched and recorded the interaction by the users
Results
It was noted that there was no actual limit to number of people that can use the device all at once. However they noted that 6 was the limit in terms of practicality. This was due to the amount of errors that piled up quickly under such circumstances. There was also the issue that the computer system had a difficult time keeping up with all of the tasks that were constantly happening. Some errors included camera interference by the user.
Content
The paper was over a device called LightSpace, the system itself is based on depth cameras and projects to make a environment where the users would be able to interact. This whole process was achieved through the usage of interactive surfaces and projected displays. The displays were open to manipulated by the users via hand gestures and interaction with the surface. Examples included the ability to drag objects and move them around from one location to another. The paper focused mostly on the observations collected as the users interacted with LightSpace

Discussion-
I personally thought the whole interaction and idea was pretty interesting and i would've liked to try using the device myself. I personally think that by using this technology various types of games could be made that would allow a more unique method of interaction when playing a game. (much more unique compared to something like the wii) Although i don't see its commercial application anytime soon, i hope to see it in the future.