The Next Generation of Touch-Screen Interface?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp-y3ZNaCqs&search=touch%20screen' target='_blank'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp-y...=touch%20screen</a><br /><br /></div><i>"This is a video of a multi-input touch screen that hopefully will make its way into consumer computer market in time. A standard touch screen allows one input at a time. This allows multiple people to use it and allows for Minority Report like features. Super Cool!"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/touchscreen-interface.jpg" /><br /><br />A little futuristic Friday fun - the video is simply amazing! As enchanted as I am about this though, it will take huge leaps forward in many areas to see practical applications. I can see technology like this being combined with concepts such as <a href="http://news.com.com/2300-1008_3-6041767-1.html">HP's coffee table</a>.

[SteveHoward999]

WOW :jawdrop:


So very intuitive too.... it's cool that they have the screens *and* the software that can demo the potential!!

Every time I think I have a handle on what "they" are doing something like this comes along and gets me all agog again.

[MitchellO]

That is just so insanely cool!!

[Darius Wey]

The picture sorting demo was nice. I'd like to see something similar with album art. You use your hands to sort through media, then you tap on one to bring up some playback options.

[norti]

[i]"I can see technology like this being combined with concepts such as HP's coffee table (http://news.com.com/2300-1008_3-6041767-1.html).

HP's coffee table is just a PC built in a table with a larger screen, not a new thing. Just a wise, funny concept. In my opinion it will remain a concept.

But this FTIR display makes lot more sense, becuse of the more advanced touch-screen technology it uses.

[mrozema]

Did anyone catch the new of the company that manufactured that?

[saru83]

8O cant imagine how fast we r moving ! ! ! !

[norti]

Did anyone catch the new of the company that manufactured that?

Try the original site: http://mrl.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/

[Nat]

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but you won't see FTIR in any devices anytime soon... The technology is based on 2 things :

1. IR camera
2. Back projection

Basically to make it work you need to film the screen from a distance using an IR camera. You cannot currently embed this technology in a small device. It is possible to have other types of multitouch technology in a small device, but not FTIR.

Also, this is not currently available commercially and I doubt it will any time soon. While it doesn't cost a lot to make such a system (I am currently building one at University) it is not practical, it's big and not portable. For something commercial along those lines check this : www.jazzmutant.com pretty expensive though.

[mrozema]

Here's a device that uses IR cameras and is built around a 17" LCD monitor...
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/Interactive+Pen+Displays/DT770/default.htm

The same company uses rear projection and plasma displays with IR cameras to provide a very nice touch screen with software capable of recognizing gestures and multiple touch points. I think the hard part to work around is Windows and its single mouse pointer so there's a constant fight for use of the mouse.

[Nat]

Here's a device that uses IR cameras and is built around a 17" LCD monitor...
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/...770/default.htm


Hmm, I checked the product page and nowhere it is mentioned that it is multitouch. They say "Dual touch" because you can use either a pen or your fingers but I doubt it can sense multiple points at the same time... I'd be glad if it could though. It seems to be based on the same technology wacom uses, capacitance...

[ctmagnus]

I think the hard part to work around is Windows and its single mouse pointer so there's a constant fight for use of the mouse.

I read, several years ago, about a girl that wrote something that would let you use several mice/pointers concurrently in Windows.

[mrozema]

Nat: It actually uses an adapted form of the company's DViT technology. Now given its intended audience there isn't much need for multiple touch, nor does it's software really support it, but it does have the capability.

[Da_G]

...Basically to make it work you need to film the screen from a distance using an IR camera. You cannot currently embed this technology in a small device. It is possible to have other types of multitouch technology in a small device, but not FTIR...

Right, I was just thinking, why couldnt an IR sensor/illuminator module be used on, say the top of the screen?

http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/images/modules.gif

I have an extra one of these devices if anyone wants to give it a shot :P