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DiamondTouch Simultaneous multi-user input device. Put another way, great fun! |
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The Wired Magazine reception is not only a great party, but also a showcase for new and entertaining technology. This year there was a live demo of Mitsutishi Research Labs "DiamondTouch" technology. Simply put, a multi-user touch pad or screen that let's a group of people control an application. In this case, we were playing wonderful new computer games.
Here's more information about the technology from the Mitsubishi web site. The video is worth a 1000 words.
- Steve
DiamondTouch Technology:
DiamondTouch is a simultaneous, multi-user, touch sensitive input device developed at MERL. Not only can it detect multiple, simultaneous touch events, but it can also identify which user is touching where. This unique ability has made DiamondTouch a very useful device in the human-computer interface research community. Work on the DiamondTouch hardware has now produced two prototype versions, the DT88 and the DT107. Both are meant to be used with any of Mitsubishis line of video or computer data projectors.
Background & Objective: DiamondTouch was first created in 2001 as an experimental multiuser interface device. Mitsubishi has been recognized for this technology, and are creating commercially viable products by seeding select university groups with prototype units.
Technical Discussion: DiamondTouch uses an array of rows and columns of antennas embedded in the touch surface. Each antenna transmits a unique signal. Each user has their own receiver, usually connected to the user capacitively through a conductive part of the users chair. When a user touches the touch surface, the antennas near the users touch point couple an extremely small amount of signal into the users body, the users receiver picks up the signal and determines which of the antennas the user was touching. The current pre-production DiamondTouch units are available in two sizes - the DT88 (79cm diagonal), and the DT107 (107 cm diagonal), large enough for a full-size A1 drawing. Both units have a 4:3 aspect ratio, with full support for up to 4 users. The antenna pitch on both units is 5mm horizontally and vertically, and with signal interpolation we can achieve 0.1mm accuracy. The cases are cast urethane, and are gasketed to prevent minor spills from damaging the electronics.
Collaboration: The DiamondTouch hardware project is a collaboration of MERL MRL and MTL; we are working with Johosoken, Kamaden and IDken to make best use of the hardware for securing future contracts for MELCO. Additionally, we are collaborating with many universities in researching further applications.
Future Directions: In research, we are working toward transparent or translucent DiamondTouch antennas, and a wireless DT system. In development, we are working toward productizing the DiamondTouch technology for multiuser interactions, using it as a selling point for MELCO systems and sales, and selling DiamondTouch units to third-party system builders.
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