Computer Science and
     Software Engineering

Computer Science and Software Engineering

MAST 07/06

Large–Scale Display Interaction Techniques to Support Face–to–Face Collaboration

David Thompson (Supervisor: Dr Richard Green)
Department of Computer Science
University of Canterbury

Abstract

This research details the development of a large–scale, computer vision–based touch screen capable of supporting a large number of simultaneous hand interactions. The system features a novel lightweight multi–point tracking algorithm to improve real–time responsiveness. This system was trialled for six months in an exhibition installation at World Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan, providing a robust, fault–tolerant interface. A pilot study was then conducted to directly compare the system against other, more established input methods (a single–touch case, a two–mouse case and a physical prototype) to determine the effectiveness and affordances of the multi–touch technology for arranging information on a large–scale wall space in a paired collaborative task. To assist in this study, a separate visualisation and interaction classification tool was developed, allowing the replay of XML log data in real time to assist in the video analysis required for observation and hypothesis testing.