EnchanTable: Displaying a Vertically Standing Mid-air Image on a Table Surface using Reflection

We propose a novel display method, EnchanTable, that can augment a table surface with mid-air images. Users can interact with visual images displayed on the table by using real objects. In our optical design, we place an optical imaging device behind a table so that the light from the device forms a vertically standing mid-air image reflected at the table surface. This design displays the image right on the table. The merit of our method is that the only requirement is for the table to have a reflective surface. Utilizing this, we can place any devices, such as touch sensors, around the table, or display mid-air images on a tablet whose surface is sufficiently reflective. Owing to its compactness, this method can be applied to other tabletop-interaction systems.