The DigiTracker, a Three Degrees of Freedom Pointing Device

For a variety of reasons, only a few computer devices allow to achieve pointing, tracking and selecting tasks in a precise, fast and intuitive way in 3D workspaces. This article presents the ergonomic and technical principles that have conditioned the proposal of a desktop input device called "DigiTracker". The user controls the position of a virtual object by grasping an isotonic end-effector between the thumb and the forefinger while his forearm is laying on the desk. This equivalent to an absolute three degrees of freedom mouse is especially suitable for closed virtual workspaces. The low technological cost of this solution could provide a really worth alternative to complex VR tracking systems. Possible applications are remote positioning tasks or CAD in simultaneous use with a device dedicated to rotations control.