Publication
Enhancing a Multi-touch Table with Write Functionality
Marcus Liwicki
In: Proceedings of the 5th Joint Workshop on Machine Perception and Robotics. Joint Workshop on Machine Perception and Robotics (MPR-2009), October 4-5, Ritsumeikan University Kinugasa Campus, Kyoto, Japan, Pages 1-5, 2009.
Abstract
Use of traditional keyboard and mouse in software
systems restricts the way of interaction with computers. Therefore
it is a challenge for designers to create software which is intuitive
for first time users. In contrast Multi-Touch tabletop environments
provide a hands on experience, offering a wider domain of
usage scenarios. Current Multi-Touch solutions lack in a way of
intuitively switching between two important modes: moving the
objects and editing their content, i.e., drawing or writing. In this
paper we present a novel rear-projection tabletop called Touch
& Write. It combines the FTIR technology for touching with the
Anoto-technology for handwriting. This allows an implicit switch
between the modes object manipulation, and content editing. As
an example application, the LeCoOnt concept mapping software is
introduced which makes use of the full capability of the Touch &
Write table. Touching actions are used for arranging the concepts
and semantic zooming, while pen-actions are used for drawing,
connecting concepts, and handwriting. The handwritten strokes
are automatically recognized and converted into a machinereadable
string.