Skinput: appropriating the body as an input surface

We present Skinput, a technology that appropriates the human body for acoustic transmission, allowing the skin to be used as an input surface. In particular, we resolve the location of finger taps on the arm and hand by analyzing mechanical vibrations that propagate through the body. We collect these signals using a novel array of sensors worn as an armband. This approach provides an always available, naturally portable, and on-body finger input system. We assess the capabilities, accuracy and limitations of our technique through a two-part, twenty-participant user study. To further illustrate the utility of our approach, we conclude with several proof-of-concept applications we developed. Author Keywords Bio-acoustics, finger input, buttons, gestures, on-body interaction, projected displays, audio interfaces. ACM Classification Keywords H.5.2 [User Interfaces]: Input devices and strategies; B.4.2 [Input/Output Devices]: Channels and controllers General terms: Human Factors

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2010
• Where: CHI
• Authors: Chris Harrison, Desney S. Tan, Dan Morris
• Keywords: CHI 2010, Finger Input, Finger Input System, Human Computer Interaction, Input Surface