We have developed a new manipulation device called “Ficon” for tabletop systems. Ficon consists of a bundle of optical fibers, and when placed on a tabletop display, the images underneath appear to float on the surface.
The most distinctive feature of Ficon is the realization of three-dimensional image expression through surface shape processing. Unlike general 3D displays, the projected images have physical substance, allowing users to directly touch and manipulate the images.
In conventional tangible interfaces, the appearance of the device itself does not change, requiring separate display of object internal state changes on the table surface. With Ficon, images can be displayed directly on the device surface, allowing the internal state to be shown directly on the device.
Additionally, by combining multiple Ficons, various three-dimensional shapes can be constructed on the tabletop, allowing for changes in images and animations according to the shape.
