Water Jets as Pixels: Water Fountains as Both Sensors and Displays

We propose a hydraulic user interface consisting of an array of spray jets and the appropriate fluid sensing and fluid flow control systems for each jet, so that the device functions as a fluid-based tactile user interface. Our array of fluid streams work like the keys on a keyboard, but where each fluid stream can also provide tactile feedback by dynamically modulating the pressure of the fluid spray, so that the keyboard is actually bi-directional (i.e. is both an input and an output device). A 104-jet version can be used as a fun and tactile “QWERTY...” style keyboard. More importantly, however, the device can also be used for applications, such as musical instruments, where its more expressive multi-dimensional input capabilities can be put to full use. One such instrument, the hydraulophone (hydrauliphone, hydraulaphone), is a hollow tubular object with a row of holes in it. It is played much like one would play a tin flute or recorder, by covering up the holes to res...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: ISM
• Authors: Steve Mann, Michael Georgas, Ryan E. Janzen
• Keywords: Hydraulic User Interface, ISM 2006, Tactile User Interface, User Interface