Skinput: Appropriating the Body as an Input Surface

Devices with significant computational power and capabilities can now be easily carried on our bodies. However, their small size typically leads to limited interaction space (e.g., diminutive screens, buttons, and jog wheels) and consequently diminishes their usability and functionality. Since we cannot simply make buttons and screens larger without losing the primary benefit of small size, we consider alternative approaches that enhance interactions with small mobile systems.

One option is to opportunistically appropriate surface area from the environment for interactive purposes. For example, Scratch Input is technique that allows a small mobile device to turn tables on which it rests into a gestural finger input canvas. However, tables are not always present, and in a mobile context, users are unlikely to want to carry appropriated surfaces with them (at this point, one might as well just have a larger device).

However, there is one surface that has been previously overlooked as an input canvas, and one that happens to always travel with us: our skin.

For more on this fascinating subject http://www.chrisharrison.net/projects/skinput/

Our thanks to Reg Woolley, G8VHI for spotting this item