Taiwanese researchers create a dual-resolution touch display

We've seen projectors used in multi-touch applications before -- most notably in Microsoft's Surface -- but researchers at National Taiwan University have extended the concept by using two projectors at once. The i-m-Top system allows high-resolution overlays to appear over the main display, which can cover a 47-inch by 31-inch surface. NTU says that as soon as it lands a production partner, the $3000 system will be ready for market within six months, with costs expected to fall dramatically after that. Here's hoping -- we just watched Minority Report again the other night and we can't wait to have a Big-Ass Table of our own.

[Via TG Daily]

[joey @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:27PM]

SUPER USEFUL!

[Mike @ Nov 3rd 2007 7:34AM]

How is using two layered projectors better than handling the layering in the computer program itself? It seems like a solution looking for a problem to me.

[Graham @ Nov 3rd 2007 8:48AM]

This is sometimes known as a multi-resolution display. There are a number of products and research projects out there already.

I personally have seen this done twice, it's a smart thing to do with maps and other large image sets. An example I've tried was an LCD monitor in the middle of a projection screen (rear projection), this was in ~2005 I believe.

A very quick google brings up the following project as another example:
http://140.112.28.144/Excellence/Proposal%20Results/Sub_Project_3/OutComes2/2005/system/document_view
You can see a multires table display about halfway down.

[Raja @ Nov 3rd 2007 1:26PM]

Hi Graham, the example in particular that you've chosen is from NTU as well and most likely the same project.