Jeff Han's Multi-Touch Sensor - Research Paper Example

Jeff Hans Multi-Touch Sensor What is Multi-Touch Sensor? Jeff Hans Multi-Touch Sensor debuted at the TED conference in Monterrey, California in in 2006. From a general perspective multi-touch sensing is a technology that has been around since the 1980s, allowing individuals to touch an Lcd computer screen and have their actions appear and effect the screen. In Jeff Hans specific instance, however, this technology has been taken to a new level of progress. Originally developed as a screen saver by a PHD student, the technology has taken on a number of groundbreaking dimensions. One such example is with a lava lamp presentation, which demonstrates some of the dimensions this technology has progressed into. In this presentation one witnesses that the multi-touch technology is able go beyond a simple touch and click interface and is rather extended into abstract entities such as the nebulous blobs produced by what appears to be a lava lamp. Another dimension that is included is that the multi-touch sensor is attuned to heat technology, so in touching the screen the users own body heat is conveyed on the touch sensor. Another dimension that is demonstrated is that it allows individuals to user their fingers to move pictures around on the screen and then expand them to larger sizes. As this technology debuted in 2006 it was revolutionary for the time, but individuals will recognize that such technology has become a key element of Apples recent iPad technology that allows users to open and expand pictures with the multi-touch interface; albeit one will note that it is not to the technological extent that much of this presentation demonstrates. In these regards, there is great audience reaction when Han brings up a keyboard to the interface and utilizes it, when this technology has already been implemented within the iPad device. For instance, a recent article breaking down the iPhones functionality describes the ways that the multi-touch sensor has been incorporated into the object (Wilson). During the presentation, Han makes the important statement that he believes such technology should be the future way that we interact with computers, rather than the current laptop and person home computer interface. Its his point that with the technological advances of the 21st century, humans shouldnt be conforming to the technological device, but the device – in this instance the keyboard – should be conforming to the individual. In addition to the two previously described features, Han also demonstrates another app that creates bouncing ball like structures. At this point one comes to believe that the user touch interfaces for this technology are limitless and begin to wonder what other avenues it could be utilized in. Han speaks of the possibilities of greater data visualization that could be achieved through the creative graphic interfaces that the multi-touch sensor could potentially create. One such example demonstrated includes a graphic depiction of the globe wherein Han is able to choose a specific state and with his hands move in on it, expand it, and gain specific information about that region. This interface combines the graphic illustration with menu boxes the individual can chose which will alter the specific geographic data that the specified area demonstrates. One interesting feature of this specific template was that it extended beyond mere two dimensionality as Hans was able to slant the image to demonstrate different angles of the geographic terrain. Another feature allowed Han to outline a rabbit looking shape, and then by touching specific points on the figure – control points – move it in various directions and shapes. One can consider the creative potential such features could potentially have for developing animation through means much less challenging than before. In addition to these features, Microsoft has begun to develop a coffee table computing application (Derene). These structure appears like one might envision an old two player pacman game from the 1980s. In these regards, it is a large table like structure that contains a multi-touch computer screen. There is great functionality for such an application, much of which was exemplified by Jeff Han; for instance, a family could sit at the computer surface and sort through photographs of a family trip. While Hans device has the previously described functionality, Microsoft coffee table computing actually has built in infrared cameras that allow it to actually see what is on its surface. It then allows the user to interact with the object on the surface. An example given shows a wireless camera with which an individual has taken a picture of the man sitting next to him. He then places the camera on the surface on the coffee table computer and the picture that was just taken passes from the camera to the computer surface. Ultimately, its clear that this technology goes beyond the traditional point and click interface of windows. Without this multi-touch technology there are a great many features that couldnt be reached with this simple point and click interface. For instance, the interaction between the wireless camera and the screen in Microsofts Coffee Table computing does not exist without this technology. While one might argue that a large amount of the features could be replicated using a point and click interface, including the sorting through of photographs, as well as the expanding of images, such a point misses perhaps the greatest use of this technology. In allowing individuals to more directly interact with the computer technology, it opens the door for increased creative and workplace potentials. This then can result in greater social efficiency and improved production and art. The latter point is one that is being foregrounded by Jeff Han. His own site contains further information related to the creative and technological potentials of this technology (Hann). In these regards, the Hann indicates that some of the new features he is attempting to incorporate into the technology include increased potential for animation, as well as the possibility of the multi-touch interface being able to recognize the finger that is being used. Possible Applications When one considers the possible applications for this technology they are truly endless. Indeed, in researching the multi-touch sensor interface, one notes the extensive amount of uses in which it has already been implemented; these uses included NASA, law enforcement, and even an episode of CSI. In considering potential templates or applications for this technology I am immediately drawn to its possible implementation in terms of one of my own personal interests – sports. Specifically, I believe this graphic interface could be implemented for football coaches when breaking down game footage and game time-scenarios. General depictions of coaches teaching football strategy to players and other coaches through blackboards or video footage. My envisionment for the multi-touch interface in this context would include a large monitor-like display that could contain video footage of the football game that is being analyzed. The coach could then stands at the front of the team and is able to focus in on any specific element of the game film. For instance, if he would like to consider the proper technique of catching a pass for the wide receiver, the coach could expand the specific area where the catch was dropped during the game film, expanding it and demonstrating the proper way to hold onto the ball. With the multi-touch interface, the coach would not only be able to expand the area of the catch, but also view it from different geographical perspectives. In addition to this, different databases could be accessed, immediately demonstrating to the team the various percentages of running a specific play over another, giving them insight into the offensive and defensive processes. Another potential use for the multi-touch interface could be for interactive book technology. With the advent of electronic reading devices, it would be no surprise to see the texts being constructed for these devices to be influenced by the medium with which they are being utilized in. How the multi-touch interface in this context would be utilized would be in-great part determined by the author or artist of the work, but one can imagine it being implemented in a number of ways. For instance, the reader would be able to read without turning pages, instead being required to expand the text that is already contained on the screen. This interface also has potential for restructuring the medium itself. One can imagine instances where the text could be structured in an interactive way, so that rather than progressing in the traditional linear novel structure, readers physically move text aside to discover further levels of narrative or graphic depictions. The novel itself could take on a more choose your own adventure style, with different narratives advancing in different directions as determined by the reader. They would be able to follow one narrative path by expanding the text on that region of the screen. While it would be the novelists responsibility to structure the narrative in a way that makes this possible, the medium of the electronic reader accompanied by the multi-touch interface creates these possibilities where they would not be as immediately feasible in the print format. References Derene, Glen. "Popular Mechanics." Microsoft Surface: Behind-the-Scenes First Look . N.p., 2007. Web. 26 Nov 2010. Read More