3D stylus: an intuitive 3D pointer for volumetric radiological data

Abstract

This work introduces a new human-computer interface(HCI) device for three dimensional (3D) visualized data. Although there are different approaches developed in the literature, 3D interfaces have not finished their development. The HCI we designed basically aims at taking an arbitrary cross-section (oblique slicing) from volumetric data. Additionally, the interface we called "3D Stylus" has an extra option which enables the user to draw two dimensional curves. The 3D Stylus is a colorful, long and thin structure like a pen. The 3D Stylus is tracked by using image processing algorithms. 3D information about the interface is acquired with the help of stereo processing techniques applied to the images come from the stereo camera. The 3D Stylus is a flexible tool that can be used for different purposes in different applications. In the thesis, we firstly develop a oblique slicing application using 3D Stylus as normal vector of slicer held by the user. Then another application is developed for 2D drawing, and the 3D Stylus used as a chalk. At the end of the thesis, experiments are presented. Users are asked to use the 3D Stylus and mouse interfaces in our applications. Results about efficiency of the 3D Stylus are given, compared with mouse.