Natural interactive whiteboard

Abstract

The mouse and keyboard has been ubiquitously used in all kinds of computer platforms for the past few decades. Today, new interaction mechanisms are continuously being discovered to enhance the intuitiveness and work-flow of the user’s input processes. This is with the aim to reduce the existing learning curve while improving performance of the user via the simplification of the input process.

Therefore, the objective of this project is to propose and prototype new affordable interaction mechanisms that will be potentially viable for end-user applications. In the first part of the project, 3D tracking based on vision-based technology was prototyped using 2 Nintendo Wiimotes. The Wiimote is chosen because of its cost effectiveness and high resolution infrared (IR) camera output.

With the capability of tracking the 3D coordinates of up to 4 IR points simultaneously, new human-computer interaction mechanisms were proposed in the second part of the project. There were two significant new interaction prototypes that were developed; perspective-based interactive whiteboard and depth-sensitive interactive whiteboard.

The perspective-based interactive whiteboard showcases a potentially revolutionary way for users to interact with the computer. The system allows users who are away from the screen to point and select objects on the screen based on his or her view instead of using relative motions through a visual guide such as a cursor.

The depth-sensitive interactive whiteboard introduces a new third dimension to today’s interactive whiteboards by offering accurate real-time measurements of the stylus’ distance from the screen. This will potentially allow applications that will respond to the depth of the stylus from the screen such as in artistic drawings and interactive games.

In conclusion, the project has successfully prototyped new interaction mechanisms that will bring new avenues for human-computer interaction.