MagicMouse: an inexpensive 6-degree-of-freedom mouse

ABSTRACT

An inexpensive computer input device was developed that allows the user to operate within both 2D and 3D environments by simply moving and rotating their fist. Position and rotation around the X, Y and Z-axes are supported, allowing full six degree of freedom input. This is achieved by having the user wear a glove, to which is attached a square marker. Translation and rotation of the hand is tracked by a camera attached to the computer, using the ARToolKit software library. Extraction, calibration, normalisation and mapping of the data converts hand motion into meaningful operations within 2D and 3D environments. Four input scenarios are described, showing that the mapping of the position and rotation data to 2D or 3D operations depends heavily on the desired task.

REFERENCES

• 1: C. Ware, Using hand position for virtual object placement, The Visual Computer: International Journal of Computer Graphics, v.6 n.5, p.245-253, 1990 [doi>10.1007/BF01900747]
• 2: ARTOOLKIT 2002 HTTP://WWW.WASHINGTON.EDU/ARTOOLKIT/

INDEX TERMS

Keywords:
2D, 3D, camera, input device, six degrees of freedom