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Researchers Turn Tables and Walls Into "Scratch Input" Surfaces
An anonymous reader writes "Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's HCI Institute have developed a new input technology that allows mobile devices to use surfaces they rest on, like tables, for gestural finger input. This is achieved with some clever acoustic tricks — basically taking advantage of high frequency sound propagation through dense materials. Their video highlights some neat applications, such as controlling an MP3 player by scratching on a wall and muting a cell phone by scratching on a table. Further details are available in the academic paper (PDF)."
Gives a whole new meaning to DIY devices from scratch!
Paleotechnologist and connoisseur of pretty shiny things.
Imagine the educational possibilities of using a chalkboard for that purpose!
I propose scratch 'n' navigate.
...has an institute devoted to hydrocloric acid? Talk about specialization gone mad.