Skinput Technology

SkinputSkinput Technology

INTRODUCTIONSkinput is a technology that appropriates the human body for acoustic transmission.

It allows the skin to be used as an input surface.

It was developed by Chris Harrison, Desney Tan, and Dan Morris of the Microsoft Research's Computational User Experiences Group

Its first public appearance was at Microsoft'sTechFest2010

Microsofthas not commented on the future of the project, other than it is under active development. It has been reported this may not appear in commercial devices for at least 2 years

HOW IT WORKSIt uses the different sounds emitted when we tap various parts of our skin (acoustic patterns) to figure out what icon, menu, or key is tapped.The acoustic detector in the armband contains five piezoelectric cantilevers, each weighted to respond to certain bands of sound frequencies.Different combinations of the sensors are activated to differing degrees depending on where the arm is tappedThe system could use wireless technology like Bluetooth to transmit commands to many types of device - including phones, iPods and evenPCs.The system is surprisingly on target. It can detect 5 skin locations with 95.5% accuracyabout the same as many actual touch screen devices.

SENSINGInstead of a single sensing element with a flat response curve, an array of highly tuned vibration sensors are used.Specifically, its employed with small, cantilevered piezo films.When small weights are added to the end of the cantilever, it alters the resonant frequency, allowing the sensing element to be responsive to a unique, narrow, low-frequency band of the acoustic spectrum.The cantilevered sensors are naturally insensitive to forces parallel to the skin. Thus, the skin stretch induced by many routine movements (e.g., reaching for a doorknob) tends to be attenuatedThis sensor design is relatively inexpensive and can be manufactured in a very small form factor, rendering it suitable for inclusion in future mobile devices.

THE DESIGNThe final prototype features two arrays of five sensing elements, incorporated into an armband form factor.

Based on pilot data collection, a different set of resonant frequencies were selected for each sensor package.

The upper sensor package is more sensitive to lower frequency signals, as these were more prevalent in fleshier areas

The lower sensor array is sensitive to higher frequencies, in order to better capture signals transmitted though (denser) bones.

Process of skinputADVANTAGESThe projected interface can appear much larger than it ever could on a devices screen.Arm can be brought closer to face (or vice versa) to see the display close up.Color contrast can be adjusted by dimming the light so that a better picture will be visible if skin and the text are too similar in color during daylight.The Skinput could eventually be used without a visual screen. As the laws of proprioception states, humans are allowed to interact with specific body parts without using their eyes. This will make ideal for anyone with little to no eyesight. The body is portable and always available, and fingers are a natural input device.

DISADVANTAGESOne of the current limitations of the prototype is that the accuracy can degrade over time the longer you wear it.

A person'sBody Mass Index(BMI) will play an important role in the accuracy of skinput, in obese people the accuracy rate drops to approximately 80 percent, due to the interference of the wave transmission by fat deposits in the tissue.

Though the band seems easy enough to slip on, its highly unlikely that most people will want it residing on their arms all day.

The technology might start up at very high cost which will not be affordable for the common man.

CONCLUSIONHow well the Skinput technology works in practice remains to be seenThe usual factors of performance, price, device compatibility, and ergonomics still need to be fleshed out.The technology itself is intriguing, and may have even more applications we can't envision yet.There is no clue on when skinput might hit the market.It has been reported this may not appear in commercial devices for at least 2 years.Skinput is a very interesting technology. But its fate will ultimately depend on how committed Microsoft is to making it a commercial reality and how soon

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