wikiTable: finger driven interaction for collaborative knowledge-building workspaces

Stefano Baraldi, Alberto Del Bimbo, Lea Landucci, Alessandro Valli

Abstract: We present an interactive workspace featuring visionbased gesture recognition that allows multiple users to collaborate in the creation of a concept map. The workspace integrates web-based and face-to-face scenarios in knowledge-building activities like brainstorming or problem solving sessions. A wiki serves as the repository for knowledge elements, which are presented to co-located users in form of a concept map visualized on a table. The computer vision module tracks multiple hands and fingers on the table surface using fingertip detection and tracking algorithm. The concept map and the wiki are synchronized in real-time, providing notifications to both co-located and distributed users and allowing a community shared awareness that enhances and enriches the knowledge building experience.