High-speed Tabletop Interaction System: Application Development and User Studies

At the the t2i Lab at Chalmers and at ICVR at ETH Zurich, a new multi-user tabletop tracking system, called Qualitrack, has been developed. For a set of input devices positioned at or directly above the table, the system is capable of simultaneously tracking each device’s position, state, and orientation. The input devices emit synchronized infrared light pulses. Each device uses a unique light pulse sequence, which allows a device identification. The system tracking rate of 250Hz provides smooth and reliable device registration. Tracked data is sent via the network to a client application.

Devices are used for different interactions on vertical or horizontal displays. Pens are used for pointing, drawing, and writing. Tangible User Interfaces (TUI) are used to grab, rotate, adjust, or to position virtual models.