Using an autonomous cube for basic navigation and input

This paper presents a low-cost and practical approach to achieve basic input using a tactile cube-shaped object, augmented with a set of sensors, processor, batteries and wireless communication. The algorithm we propose combines a finite state machine model incorporating prior knowledge about the symmetrical structure of the cube, with maximum likelihood estimation using multivariate Gaussians. The claim that the presented solution is cheap, fast and requires few resources, is demonstrated by implementation in a small-sized, microcontroller-driven hardware configuration with inexpensive sensors. We conclude with a few prototyped applications that aim at characterizing how the familiar and elementary shape of the cube allows it to be used as an interaction device. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.5.2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]: User Interfaces – Haptic I/O, Input devices and strategies. General Terms Algorithms, Reliability, Human Factors, Verification. Keywords Se...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: ICMI
• Authors: Kristof Van Laerhoven, Nicolas Villar, Albrecht Schmidt, Gerd Kortuem, Hans-Werner Gellersen
• Keywords: ICMI 2003, Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Sensor-based Tactile Interfaces, Tactile Cube-shaped Object