Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. News

Desktopography turns even the most cluttered desk into a smart display

By
Desktopography: Supporting Responsive Cohabitation Between Virtual Interfaces and Physical Objects
Projecting an interactive interface onto a desk is an idea that has been around for more than a decade, but existing designs never keep a more practical desk in mind. People clutter their desks with mugs, books, computers, papers, and more. Desktopography is a prototype device that incorporates the clutter.

The prototype, created by PH.D. students Robert Xiao, Scott Hudson, and Chris Harrison, uses a custom overhead projector equipped with a camera to cast an interactive Android smartphone interface onto most surfaces. Desktopography allows apps to spill out onto the desk for users to interact with. It was presented alongside their related paper at the Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems in Lisbon, Portugal.

1 of 4
desktopography smart display 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
desktopography smart display 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder
desktopography smart display 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
desktopography smart display 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sony’s Xperia Touch projector offers similar technology, but Xiao’s team’s research takes it a step further. Desktopography isn’t limited to a rectangular screen like the Xperia Touch is. Instead, the screen can be dragged around the desk, resized, minimized to icons, or rotated using multi-touch gestures. It can even work on non-flat surfaces.

Recommended Videos

For people who move around while the work, the virtual apps can also be docked to the side of a physical object. For instance, a virtual calculator can be snapped to the side of a laptop. When the laptop is moved around the desk, the calculator moves along with it. If something gets in the way of the app, the system is smart enough to automatically reposition it somewhere it can be seen.

Related

Aside from the interactive display, the projector itself is also a notable innovation. The camera, projector, and Android computer are completely self-contained with a standard lightbulb screw connector on one end. This makes installation as easy as replacing a bulb. With multiple projectors installed around a house, Desktopography can sync up over Wi-Fi. This allows users to move from their desk, to the kitchen, to the dining room table. All that is needed outside of the projector itself is a lamp placed near a workspace.

For more of the latest innovations from Carnegie Mellon University, be sure to check in with Digital Trends. Other recent developments include a spray paint that turns any surface into a touchpad.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Garrett Hulfish
Garrett Hulfish
Contributor
Garrett is the kind of guy who tells you about all the tech you haven't heard of yet. He also knows too much about other…
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo: Which premium robot vacuum is best?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

Roborock and Ecovacs are two of the biggest names in the world of robot vacuums. The companies have been producing some of the best robot vacuum and mop combos for years, and that trend has continued into 2024 with the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo. Both are ultra-premium devices that clock in at over $1,000, and we awarded both of them impressive scores in our reviews. In short, it's hard to go wrong with either robot vacuum.

However, there are some key differences between the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo. From suction power and mopping skills to pricing and additional features, here's a comprehensive look at the two robot vacuums to help you decide which is best for your home.
Pricing and availability

Read more
Samsung Spring Sale: Get up to $915 off smart ranges today
A Samsung smart range with the Smart Oven camera.

Samsung's Spring Black Friday sale has slashed the prices of all kinds of home appliances, including gas and electric ranges. There are discounts available for Samsung's smart ranges too, which will allow you to enjoy savings of up to $915. Feel free to check out all the ranges that are cheaper than usual in the ongoing sale, but if you want to focus on getting a smart range for your kitchen, read on to learn all about them and how much you'll have to pay.

What to buy in Samsung's Spring Black Friday sale for smart ranges
Samsung's smart ranges are equipped with the Smart Oven Camera, which will allow you to check on the food that you're cooking through a livestream on your phone. You can even make time-lapse videos and share them on social media. You'll enjoy this feature on the Samsung Bespoke 6.3. cu. ft. smart slide-in electric range, which is from $2,536 for a $737 discount, and the Samsung Bespoke 6.0. cu. ft. smart slide-in gas range, which is from $2,659 for savings of $760. Both smart ranges have illuminated precision knobs that light up to let you know that the home appliance is on, and they work with the Samsung SmartThings app for pre-heating the oven, planning meals, downloading cooking modes, and much more.

Read more
How to reset the Nanoleaf Skylight
The Nanoleaf Skylight lighting up a room various shades of purple.

The Nanoleaf Skylight is a unique piece of hardware. Unlike most Nanoleaf products that are quick to install or easy to move and replace, the Skylight is designed as a permanent fixture in your home. Instead of simply plugging it into an electrical outlet, you'll need to hardwire it onto your ceiling – and once it's in place, you'll want it to stay there for years.

However, like all electronics, it's possible for your Nanoleaf Skylight to start acting up. And since there's no easy way to get the entire unit down from your ceiling, you might be wondering how you can quickly solve the problem. Thankfully, Nanoleaf designed a simple way for you to reset the Nanoleaf Skylight without the need to disassemble the entire setup.

Read more