une 15, 2012, Infocomm, Las Vegas—We talked with MultiTouch about their input devices and applications enabled by their controllers.

They use IR pens as generic input devices for some applications. Other applications are touch enabled and their software is multi-touch enabled to allow an unlimited number of people using the interface at any time. The multi-touch inputs mimic the user interfaces on tablets, and is available as a free upgrade for existing users.

One versions of their input system uses a 42-inch tabletop display as the input surface. They have a set of sensors that can read relatively low resolution input devices like specially marked cards and other imprinted objects. The information in the cards can be an augmented reality information set or can identify the user for some applications. The list price for the tabletop is $15, 000. Another version is a 55-inch wall mounted display that sells for $20,000. The wall display can also read the cards or objects and can handle many users simultaneously.

They have an SDK for developers that includes source code for basic functional building blocks for their sensors and for the image recognition functions in the encoded objects. Their demonstration included some dice with patterns that were used to select various music samples. Rotating the dice changed the volume and moving the dice changed the sound.

These and other apps are possible due to the encoded objects and the ability to pass that data to other parts of the system. They are trying to move into other spaces and think that the whole area of input methods is overdue for change. Some of their research efforts are with educational organizations to identify and implement these new input methods.