October 6, 2009 at 16:50Crazy Microsoft Multi-Touch Mice
A blogger with CrunchGear went on an excursion to the guys from Microsoft Labs, where conceptual prototypes of new devices are created, and often these are very unusual devices, as if copied from science fiction films. The blogger photographed and filmed new mice from Microsoft on video (under the habrakat) and calls them "absolutely insane."
Among all the prototypes presented, the Cap mouse is the most traditional and ready for mass production. There are no buttons, but the entire surface is a single continuous sensor.
That's how the Cap mouse software recognizes multitouch.
We should also mention the Side mouse . It has already been discussedon a hub a year ago, SideSight technology: an infrared sensor and a gesture recognition system that allows you to control the mouse without touching it. For example, moving the table with two hands in front of the mouse, you can zoom in on the map on the monitor screen (see video).
The FTIR mouse name stands for “Frustrated Total Internal Reflection”. Under the transparent top cover, the camcorder lens is clearly visible. If a person’s fingers are on the case, the camera receives a signal from infrared sensors and immediately focuses on them. The camera has an extremely high resolution and picks up the slightest movement (probably it can even take fingerprints if necessary).
The Orb mouse also has a camera inside, but it works in a completely different way. Internal infrared illumination works constantly and is reflected from the body to a special mirror on which the lens is focused.
The hemispherical body is made of a translucent material, so that finger touches are immediately recorded.
Thus, here the multitouch works on a hemispherical surface.
The last Arty mouse does not have a video camera, but differs in an unusual design solution - it consists of three parts, each with its own separate optical sensor. This is the only wireless mouse presented.
Below is a nine-minute video shot during a lab tour.
Another demo video and documentation on Microsoft's multi-touch mice is here .
Among all the prototypes presented, the Cap mouse is the most traditional and ready for mass production. There are no buttons, but the entire surface is a single continuous sensor.
That's how the Cap mouse software recognizes multitouch.
We should also mention the Side mouse . It has already been discussedon a hub a year ago, SideSight technology: an infrared sensor and a gesture recognition system that allows you to control the mouse without touching it. For example, moving the table with two hands in front of the mouse, you can zoom in on the map on the monitor screen (see video).
this video is in MPEG4 format ( 2.4 MB )
The FTIR mouse name stands for “Frustrated Total Internal Reflection”. Under the transparent top cover, the camcorder lens is clearly visible. If a person’s fingers are on the case, the camera receives a signal from infrared sensors and immediately focuses on them. The camera has an extremely high resolution and picks up the slightest movement (probably it can even take fingerprints if necessary). The Orb mouse also has a camera inside, but it works in a completely different way. Internal infrared illumination works constantly and is reflected from the body to a special mirror on which the lens is focused.
The hemispherical body is made of a translucent material, so that finger touches are immediately recorded.
Thus, here the multitouch works on a hemispherical surface.
The last Arty mouse does not have a video camera, but differs in an unusual design solution - it consists of three parts, each with its own separate optical sensor. This is the only wireless mouse presented.
Below is a nine-minute video shot during a lab tour.
this movie is in MPEG4 format, 1280x720 ( 141.8 MB )
Another demo video and documentation on Microsoft's multi-touch mice is here .