Three researchers at Microsoft Research have created an innovative handheld pointing device that works in mid-air. "Soap" -- which resembles a bar of soap -- is based on hardware found in a common wireless optical mouse, and is relatively easy to make, according to its inventors.
There are numerous situations in which one might wish to control an appliance while standing or walking -- for example, when giving a slide presentation or interacting with a wall-sized display -- according to Soap developers Patrick Baudisch, Mike Sinclair, and Andrew Wilson.
Normally, a mouse is not usable as a mid-air device because it requires a surface (the mouse pad) to act as a position reference. Without that reference the mouse is useless. In short, a mouse comprises two elements: the movable part (the mouse itself), and the reference surface.
Soap, too, contains two main elements: a "lentil shaped" core, and an elastic hull that encloses the core.
The core, made from two plastic hand sanitizer bottles, contains the functional elements of a wireless optical mouse with the sensor pointing outwards, according to the team. The hull (see illustration, below), made from a sock, encloses the core, which can move free inside the hull.
Soap core (Click image for larger view)
Users operate Soap by applying "off axis" pressure that causes the core to rotate inside the hull, the team explains. The sensor detects the motion as if it were moving over a mouse pad. In effect, the hull becomes the mouse pad.
Soap core and hull
Soap has been tested in a variety of application scenarios, including wall display interaction, Windows Media Center control, slide presentations, and interactive video games, according to the researchers. It offers high-resolution sensing and provides a "tactile sensation" that helps users understand when they have moved and by what amount.
YouTube video demonstrating Soap
The Soap website has instructions and a video that demonstrate how to build Soap, plus additional papers, videos, and more.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
Three researchers at Microsoft Research have created an innovative handheld pointing device that works in mid-air. "Soap" -- which resembles a bar of soap -- is based on hardware found in a common wireless optical mouse, and is relatively easy to make, according to its inventors.
news feed