Tabletop computers based on diffuse illumination can track fiducial markers placed on the table’s surface. In this paper, we demonstrate how to do the same with objects arranged in a three-dimensional structure without modifying the table. We present lumino, a system of building blocks. In addition to a marker, each block contains a glass fiber bundle. The bundle optically guides the light reflected off markers in the higher levels down to the table surface, where the table’s built-in camera reads it. While guiding marker images down, the bundle optically scales and rearranges them. It thereby fits the images of an entire vertical arrangement of markers into the horizontal space usually occupied by a single 2D marker.

We present six classes of blocks and matching marker designs, each of which is optimized for different requirements. We show three demo applications. One of them is a construction kit that logs and critiques constructions. The presented blocks are unpowered and maintenance-free, keeping larger numbers of blocks manageable.

University Project Page

Baudisch, P. Becker, T, and Rudeck, F.
Lumino: tangible blocks for tabletop computers based on glass fiber bundles.
In Proceedings of CHI 2010, Atlanta, GA, April 10-15, 2010, 10 pages.
paper (2,3 MB)

CHI 2010 Best Paper Award

Baudisch, P. Becker, T, and Rudeck, F.
Lumino: Tangible Building Blocks Based on Glass Fiber Bundles.
In SIGGRAPH 2010 Emerging Technologies, Los Angeles, CA, July 25-29, 2010.
paper (0,5 MB)

Baudisch, P. Becker, T, and Rudeck, F.
Invited Demo: Lumino: Tangible Building Blocks Based on Glass Fiber Bundles.
At ITS 2010, Saarbrücken, Germany, November 7-10, 2010.

Gizmodo – Next-Generation Lego Crossed With Microsoft Surface
Design Boom – Lumino
Microsoft Surface and Objects. Presented at PDC – Video, minute 1:03
New Scientist – Smart ‘Lego’ blocks take touch screens into 3D

• Patrick Baudisch
• Torsten Becker
• Frederik Rudeck