A pen-tablet-orientation-pointing method for multi-monitors

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a pen tablet orientation method for easily pointing anywhere on the screen of one of several monitors in a multi-monitor setup. With this method, a user selects the desired monitor by orienting a pen tablet toward it and then pointing within it with a stylus. This allows the user to similarly access the center and corners of a wide screen of multiple monitors and avoids losing the cursor in such a widescreen setup. The system is implemented with a pen tablet and a turntable and experiments are conducted to compare it with mouse and conventional pen tablet pointing. The results show that this method is more efficient and accurate than a conventional pen tablet and as effective as a mouse. The proposed method is also expected to be more efficient than a mouse once the user gets used to it.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Graphical user interfaces (GUI)

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Input devices and strategies (e.g., mouse, touchscreen)

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
large display, multiple-display environment, pen-tablet, pointing method