Multiple Pointing Input System
Introduction
An Multiple Pointing Input System(MPIS) allows concurrent manipulation of multiple pointing devices.
On a traditional Graphical User Interface(GUI), the users manipulate computer application by selecting or moving graphical objects on a screen with one pointing device. Usually, the GUI allows only one pointing device, so users can manipulate only one object. For concurrent manipulation of multiple objects, pre-selecting or constraint based technique are known.
MPIS allows users to manipulate multiple objects via multiple pointing devices intuitively.
Prototype System
We've constructed a prototype system and had experimental evaluation on it.
This picture shows the prototype system, that allows manipulation of 8 pointing devices simultaneously.
Each device attached different colored felt on its bottom surface, and they are manipulated on the clear acrylic board.
A video camera is set below the board, and captures images of devices. The coordinates of each device is calculated
from these images.
screen shot