IODisk: Disk-type I/O interface for browsing digital contents

[English / Japanese]

Last Updated: 2010/10/09

Abstract

We propose a disk-type I/O interface, IODisk, which helps users browse various digital contents intuitively in their living environment. IODisk mainly consists of a force-feedback mechanism integrated in the rotation axis of a disk. Users can control the playing speed/direction contents (e.g., videos or picture slideshows) in proportion to the rotational speed/direction of the disk. We developed a prototype system and some applications.


Figure 1.The prototype IODisk.and its installation in a living environment (demo videos)

IODisk

We have developed a prototype system, as shown in Fig. 2.The low-speed motor consists of a DC motor and low gears. We can smoothly control the speed of the motor by controlling the current. The rotary sensor (ALPS RDC80) detects the rotating angle of the disk – turned by the motor or a user – and outputs the angle as an absolute value. We also attached a RFID reader (Texas Instruments S2000 Microreader) and full color LEDs under the disk for optional functions..

Figure 2. Device architecture
(1. RFID reader, 2. low-speed motor, 3. rotary sensor, 4. full color LED)

Application

We developed two applications for the IODisk to control digital contents: a video browser and a picture browser (Fig. 3, 4). We supposed these applications would be used with an external display, as shown in Fig. 1. As mentioned above, the IODisk enables users to control the speed/direction of videos/pictures in proportion to the rotational speed/direction of the disk..Please see the demo videos.


Figure 3. Basic usage for controlling videos.



When the disk turns slowly, large pictures scroll slowly.	When the disk turns fast, small pictures scroll fast.
Figure 4. Basic usage for controlling picture slideshows

Demo video

Short version for UIST2010 Madness (40sec)

High resolution version (QuickTime format)

Full Version (2min 25sec)

High resolution version (QuickTime format)

Publication

Koji Tsukada and Keisuke Kambara: IODisk: Disk-type I/O interface for browsing digital contents, Extended Abstracts of UIST2010 (Demo), pp. 403-404 (Oct, 2010). [PDF]

Koji Tsukada