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Fingertip Mouse Fits On a Ring

Posted by Soulskill on from the one-ring-to-point-them-all dept.

Eric Smalley writes "The MicroPointing touchpad works by detecting the force your fingertip produces as it drags across the tiny device's three sensors, according to the company's patent application. The sensors are mounted on tiny posts spaced a few tenths of a millimeter apart — less than the size of a ridge on your fingertip."

45 comments

  1. I want by geekoid · · Score: 5, Funny

    The ring with root access to all the other rings.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    1. Re:I want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      The ring with root access to all the other rings.

      The one ring to chown them all?

    2. Re:I want by h4rr4r · · Score: 4, Funny

      And in the darkness bind() them?

    3. Re:I want by blind+monkey+3 · · Score: 1

      The ring with root access to all the other rings.

      I ain't giving anyone root access to my ring - at least not on the first date.

      --
      BM3
    4. Re:I want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      and perhaps; No ring with "wheel" rights ?

    5. Re:I want by martin-boundary · · Score: 1

      What?!! You want a cockring? Those things hurt, man....

    6. Re:I want by Lucidus · · Score: 1

      You're doing it wrong . . . .

  2. Pray... by DemonGenius · · Score: 1

    ... that Apple doesn't get a hold of the patent for this thing.

    1. Re:Pray... by jhoegl · · Score: 1

      That isnt my concern... my concern is when they come out with pimp rings.

      THEN Ill think about buying it.

    2. Re:Pray... by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      Too late. The iRing has been forged by the Dork Lord Jobs in the fires of Cupertino.

    3. Re:Pray... by That+Guy+From+Mrktng · · Score: 1

      NOTICE
      Device will deliver a small electric shock if detects proximity to areas or movements associated with masturbation.

  3. How does it work? by mazevedo · · Score: 1

    I saw a lot of what it could do, how it could change the world... but I did not see how it works!!!

    --
    mazevedo
    1. Re:How does it work? by camperdave · · Score: 2

      I picture it working kind of like a cross between an optical mouse and one of those force feedback track pointers that sit between the G and H keys on some laptops. I hope it works better than those, or this is dead in the water.

      P.S. I just tried lying my mouse on its back and using my finger over the sensor. It kind of worked, but I had to lift and reposition quite often. I see that being a potential problem with this mouse system as well. Mind you, I do like the dual mouse concept. Plus, if they get this working properly, maybe we can get a keyboard with a pair of mice built into the G and H keys (or the F and J keys). No more reaching for the mouse!

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    2. Re:How does it work? by wagnerrp · · Score: 1

      Force feedback? Trackpoints offered no form of mechanical response.

    3. Re:How does it work? by mazevedo · · Score: 1

      It kinda looked like it was like that... but the lack of any practical example makes me think this might be vaporware, not as practical as it seems or does not yet exist.

      --
      mazevedo
    4. Re:How does it work? by jhoegl · · Score: 1

      It does if you let the gunk build.

    5. Re:How does it work? by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 2

      Mind you, I do like the dual mouse concept. Plus, if they get this working properly, maybe we can get a keyboard with a pair of mice built into the G and H keys (or the F and J keys). No more reaching for the mouse!

      Isn't having a 'mouse' on your fingertip or on keyboard keys going to wreak havoc when you type?

    6. Re:How does it work? by GrantRobertson · · Score: 1

      I've got a Fujitsu Lifebook Tablet PC. It has one of those tiny 1mm x 10mm fingerprint scanners built in so you can encrypt things and only be able to decrypt them with your fingerprint. (I know those things are foolable and I don't use it for that because I don't trust it to not screw up and lock me out of my own stuff.) Anyway, there is a driver installed that allows you to use the scanner as a tiny touch pad or mouse. I guess it is for precision pointing for those times when your finger is too fat. Well, you use it just by sliding your finger over the tiny little window. It is actually pretty cool. Unfortunately, they put it on the wrong corner. I always hold that corner down to the lower right so the cooling fan and vents are up, away from my body, so they don't get blocked. With the scanner in that location I kept brushing it with my arm and moving my pointer around unexpectedly. So I just disabled it. If it were in the same corner as the Tablet PC buttons I would use it all the time.

      Remember, the actual function part of an optical mouse is pretty small. If you turn your mouse upside down you can make it work by sliding your finger over the little window. If you shrank a standard optical mouse sensor down even further then you could easily duplicate the functionality of the device mentioned in TFA in the same space, while using existing drivers and software.

    7. Re:How does it work? by camperdave · · Score: 1

      Yeah. Sorry about that. I meant force sensing. I knew I was going to mistype that.

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    8. Re:How does it work? by EETech1 · · Score: 1

      I really like my trackpoint, and I use it for nearly everything, Even PCB's, schematics, simulations etc etc. If you play around with the settings and get it to where when you think of where you want the cursor to go, and give the little stick the corresponding bump, you get close to your target (both the acceleration and speed settings are important!) then you use it for a couple weeks, you will be surprised how well they work.

      I can get it right in between the right two letters, or grab a component very easily. I also use it in boats going 100+ to work with calibration software, datalogging software, navigation software, and its much easier for me, I'm more stable, and I'm more accurate than anything else I've used (except perhaps a Microsoft optical thumbball) and I have a Wacom tablet sitting right there that goes largely unused as well. I think its much easier to use than a touchpad.

  4. 20 years ago... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    a kid at my high school had this idea. I wonder if he's finally gotten around to making it.

    Brad, is that you?

  5. One ring... by mullen490 · · Score: 1

    ...to rule them all. Seriously though, as someone with a RSI, this sounds like a great alternative. I have tried everything from the 3M Ergonomic Mouse to the Wacom line of tablets (which I am currently using). This device sounds like a great alternative to the mouse...I only hope a Bluetooth version is made for the PC.

    1. Re:One ring... by Eponymous+Hero · · Score: 0

      i have an RSI too, but when i'm in the matrix i just use a regular mouse like everyone else.

      --
      insensitive clod overlords obligatory xkcd car analogy russian reversals whoosh pedant fanbois ftfy in 3...2...1..PROFIT
  6. optical trackball by Shompol · · Score: 3, Insightful

    A glorified optical trackball? Only it is mechanical = will wear out much sooner.

    1. Re:optical trackball by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Except for the ball and optical tracking, yes, it's just like an optical trackball.

    2. Re:optical trackball by Shompol · · Score: 1

      There is no ball in the "optical trackball". Just a tiny static piece of plastic where "trackball" used to be. It's hard to see what it is on a picture but stop by any mobile phone store and check out one of the later models from HTC and Blackberry.

  7. World's smallest violin..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Could you not also have this attached on the tip of your index finger or thumb? Although I imagine the number of carpel tunnel to follow....

  8. Haven't we seen this before? by zenrender · · Score: 1

    I seem to recall a very small roller-controller that fit on your index finger, and was rolled by your thumb. I want to call it a Thumbelina (but maybe I'm just making that up), and I remember seeing on in use (step-sister's laptop) back in the days of the 486. Wonder what they've done with it over the last 20 years other than make it optical.

    --
    Tune In, Turn Up, Geck Out.
    1. Re:Haven't we seen this before? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      fit on your index finger, and was rolled by your thumb

      You mean like a clit? Why not just call it a clit?

  9. Only if you allow... by AmazingRuss · · Score: 1

    ...it to achieve sentience.

  10. Good ol' vaporware articles by The+O+Rly+Factor · · Score: 1

    The MicroPointing touchpad works by detecting the force your fingertip produces as it drags across the tiny device's three sensors according to the company's patent application

    I created an all in one cure for cancer, hiv, and erectile dysfunction according to some pieces of paper I scribbled crayon onto.

  11. Meh by slashfoxi · · Score: 0

    Check out the video. This is not a product. It's a patent. Blech.

    1. Re:Meh by easyTree · · Score: 1

      I cannot understand why *they* continue to choose cheesy-blander-than-bland-corporate-voice-over-grandfather types for these corporate vapourware videos.

      --
      Requiem for the American Dream
  12. Ring? by kubernet3s · · Score: 1

    Where does the ring come from? This is something they're hoping to embed on a touchscreen, so I'm not sure why ring is in the headline, and they've got that goofy graphic on the article. I'm not sure I could think of any scenario in which what is essentially a ring mounted mouse could be any help. It sure sounds cyberpunk, but becomes noticeably less so upon a little reflection.

    I'm also a little confused about what they think is going to happen with this: are we supposed to use it like a mouse on our smartphones? I'm no fan of the big touchscreen movement, but on a phone it just makes more sense than trying to squidge a pointer around with an electronic clit-mouse

  13. Channeling Douglas Adams? by Jeremi · · Score: 1

    Wow, the video on that page looks and sounds just like a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy excerpt.

    --


    I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
    1. Re:Channeling Douglas Adams? by MRe_nl · · Score: 1

      That was my first thought too. It's not Stephen Fry though.

      --
      "Kill 'em all and let Root sort 'em out"
  14. Re:Rob Malda by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Rob Malda's penis can almost control this.

    So, it's prehensile?

  15. Fingertip Mouse Fits On a Ring - So in real life.. by dustbeered · · Score: 0

    my schizophrenic half-brother has fits in the food court at the mall, right there where all the people in Target can see him. we don't get out to the mall that often cause of this.

  16. Nostalgia by lennier1 · · Score: 1

    Reminds me of that old gadget about ten years ago where you'd place two strips along the X and Y-axis of your CRT so the ring mouse would allow you to navigate in all three dimensions.

  17. If it works by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You can kiss my ring

  18. If it works by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You can kiss my ring.

  19. Err... touchscreens? by Warwick+Allison · · Score: 1

    Who would want a super advanced trackbally thing rather than a touchscreen? What's next, new compact-size punchcards? A dialing rotor with a maglev bearing?

    Humans like feedback, preferably tactile, but otherwise visual, so either real clicky things or touchscreens. And we dislike indirection, so press the button with your finger, not rub a blue dot to move a cursor and the press something else to select.

  20. how much smaller? by t2t10 · · Score: 1

    The HTC Desire already has a tiny pointing device integrated into its selection key (an optical mouse). How much smaller do these things need to be?

    http://www.htc.com/www/product/desire/overview.html

  21. Tiny enough to be used in vapor form. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is it legal for them to be using iPhones and PSP's in their add material without having any sort of deal with the companies?

    Also, what sort of microtech company will make claims like this without any reference or even note of what they are doing, like mentioning micro friction sensoring or similar.

    And why would you need a microtrackpad at the bottom of a cellphone with a touchscreen?

    I call vaporware