full Paper - Nguyen Dang Binh

6. EMPLOYMENT OF THE SYSTEM
The developed system, besides guaranteeing the complete
interaction offered by traditional systems, adds at least three
new functionalities:
¯ The possibility of accessing the computer resources by
controlling the graphical cursor that is coincident with the
interaction point [27] (Fig. 8). By attaching a pen stylus,
the writing and designing tasks (Fig. 9) becomes easier
than using the conventional input devices (mouse, trackball,
etc.).
¯ The possibility of interacting with the software resources
of the computer by adding force feedback information to
the operator’s imputs. This makes possible the creation of
a new kind of interaction with the user so that users can
”touch” buttons, ”feel” and ”move” lines and the haptic
device can replace the use of compasses, squares and/or
other drawing instruments. This kind of interaction offers
the possibility of using the system as a training tool (e.g.
eEducation [17]) or as a therapeutic tool (e.g. reducing
tremor [31]).
Figure 9: An example of how to use the system for designing
¯ The possibility of using the instrument to produce internal/external
stimuli while the operator interacts with real
elements such as pens, pencils, papers, etc. (Fig. 10). For
example, the operator can use the device with his/her own
pen and paper for verifying the improvement of the student
after a training process programmed on the haptic
interface (e.g. technical drawings).
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The activities described in this work have been carried out
within the EU NoE Enactive. The authors are grateful to Eu-
Massimo Bergamasco / Future trends and Applications, Education
35
Figure 10: Haptic Desktop system can interact with operators
by means of different tools such as pens, pencils, paper,
etc.
ropean governments whose grants constituted a valid cofinancing
of the presented research. The authors also thank
the partnership of the mentioned project.
8. CONCLUSION & FUTURE WORK
The Haptic Desktop reduces the actual workspace needed
for accessing computer resources. Thanks to the integration
of electronic devices, the encumbrance related to the connectors
of the conventional devices has been disappeared. The
novel interaction approach of the HD leads to the satisfaction
of the following objectives:
¯ The coherence and collocation between the haptic and
graphical information is assured;
¯ The addition of force feedback as an additional perceptual
channel for enhancing the interaction between user and
computer;
¯ The possibility of integrating real instruments for rendering
more natural means of interaction, i.e. pen, sheet, etc.;
¯ The access to computer resources is more simple, as the
interaction point is coincident with the graphical cursor of
the system;
¯ The introduction of haptic information linked to operator
movements and/or events can be programmed.
¯ The use of the system as a transfer skill system for enhancing
human skills and/or as a rehabilitation tool for
disable people;
¯ The integration of different perceptual channels (i.e. haptic,
visual, and audio) makes possible to generate real immersive
experiences for the user;
¯ The replacement of conventional drawing instruments is
possible by using the haptic device.
c­ The Eurographics Association 2005.