Harry Potter - This Seminar is Cancelled
Speaker: Larry Rudolph , CSAIL
Date: April 14 2005
Time: 1:00PM
Location: Stata Center, Star Conference Room
Contact: Jake Beal
Relevant URL:
Harry Potter and other wizards preferred input-output device is a wand rather than a laptop, PDA, or cell phone. This informal presentation will discuss the merits of a portable computer that looks more like a wand or walking stick rather than the current pack of playing cards.
A stick or cylindrical tube can be held in the hand and carried around. It allows many arrays of sensors to be placed along the length at precise, equally spaced locations. It seems ideally suited for the following input/output functions:
* A microphone array used to localize sound input letting the user give verbal commands
* A speaker array used to discretely answer back the user.
* A camera array used to capture 3-d input of the users gestures
* A radar array used to identify particular objects in the environment.
* A laser array used to project 3-D images and to make precise engravings
* The cylindrical shape can be used as a directional, long range or low power antenna for wireless communication.
* The cylindrical shape can be used to project an image on the wall, floor, or desktop.
* The cylindrical shape is ideal for pointing at things.
* The long cylindrical shape might be used to hold and then discharge a large electric shock (making this more than merely a dangerous idea)
* Swinging the wand could recharge the battery, especially when near power-lines.
* The wand placed on a desk can replace the usual workstation using all the arrays outlined above.
Many people have strong opinions about form factors, and this proposal appears to challenge them. Must we continue to make interfaces
smaller and smaller? Must we continue to make them rectangular? Must they all be approved for use on an airplane?
See other events that are part of Dangerous Ideas Seminar Series Spring 2005
See other events happening in April 2005
