A manipulation environment of virtual and real objects using a magnetic metaphor

This paper describes a method for the consolidated manipulation of virtual and real objects using a "magnetic metaphor". The method reduces the behavioral differences between the virtual and real objects. A limited number of physical laws are selected and simulated for the virtual objects; at the same time, limitations are placed on the physical laws for the real objects. Accordingly, a compromise can be found between the physical laws that operate on virtual objects and those which operate on real objects. Therefore, a system with this method enables a user to manipulate virtual and real objects in a similar manner by expecting the same responses and behaviors according to the same physical laws. Experimental results show that the proposed method improves the task performance in the manipulation of virtual and real objects existing in the same environment simultaneously.