Imagine being able to fit such a tablet into your pocket and not having to worry about reducing the size of the display. It may soon be possible thanks to researcher Juergen Steimle. Working with faculty at MIT's media lab they have developed multiple tablets that work a bit differently than their traditional counterparts.
The technology, dubbed FoldMe, works by using infrared cameras overhead to track movement and position of the tablet surface. The software interface is projected on to the surfaces, using two full high definition projectors to project the image onto the "tablet." Angle of the hinges within the tablet allowing the display to convert from a flat panel display, to a two panel display as if held like reading a book, or if folded completely over a smaller display.
Hand gestures can be read using infrared markers on the finger nails to give it the touch screen feel most people are used to. The hinges also create new controls that can be used within applications. Since the cameras read the angle of the fold, the angle can be used to control information that normally an on-screen dial would control.
It appears that this may not work well outside, or off the tablet projection grid. However, this may usher in a new level of connectivity for the boardroom. Later this month, Steimle will present his work at the TEI conference in Canada.
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