skinput

Interacts “Skinput” from your skin

No doubt the touch screens have revolutionized how we communicate with computers and each other. Now, the next step is to convert what is on one screen and touch to interact with the computer. With that in mind, Microsoft developed Skinput with Carnegie Mellon University.

Skinput is a touch screen in human skin. A sophisticated projects keys, numbers or colors on the part of the person you want, and you only have to touch the buttons, such as a screen to interact.

A bracelet that contains five connectors piezoelectric biceps connects to the user. Each responds to certain ranges of sound frequency. A projector in this bracelet makes it a body screen, something like the technology MIT SixthSense.

A projector in the biceps to the forearm gives the images, then the keys and touchscreen.
Chris Harrison, University student and employee at Microsoft created the system of bio acoustic sensors to detect sound patterns that are generated by striking the forearm or palm.

Each area has a specific audible tone can be associated with functions like dialing a phone or playing Tetris. Click and snap your fingers can also be used for commands.

Skinput could relay commands to mobile devices or PCs via wireless technologies like Bluetooth.

If this gadget becomes a commercial reality might redefine our common perception of gestures. Fingers nervously drumming may actually now be text messages, for example, while a slap in the face to start Windows and some blows to the head could send Tweets.

“You could do everything that makes the iPhone from your arm,” said Harrison, who says Skinput is like having the iPhone in your palm. For example, when jogging, you make a call, you have to pull the phone out of your pocket, only marks from your arm.

The prototype has been developed over a period of eight months, and will be ready within two to seven years. What most needs is to be more precise.

For the time is accurate up to 95 percent in the detection of the points touched, and works even when the body is in motion. The problem is that such accuracy is just five large buttons.

“It’s pretty accurate, but not enough to bring it to market yet,” said Harrison.