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Computer Finger Input: Better, Different, or Fake? — Parallax Forums

Computer Finger Input: Better, Different, or Fake?

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2014-01-01 18:04 in General Discussion
http://leapmotion.com

Interesting (and quite likely overpromising) video. Looks to be great for writing freehand "hellos" at the very least... :)
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Comments

  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2012-05-21 21:51
    IMHO, it's better in some ways. Gestures can very quickly convey complex user interaction information. Fake? Prolly not, but maybe. Proof won't take too long, and it's still kind of early for this stuff.

    It's worse in some ways too. One glaring issue not often mentioned is the stress and strain of unsupported, sustained, precise movement. Takes quite a bit out of a person, particularly when it's repetitive and done quickly. Many other interfaces have some support or don't require such an extension, which is where the trouble is. As soon as support is provided, there is a sphere of movement, instead of free movement.

    Some time back, I got to work with haptic input software. The haptic device was a force feedback 3D pen interface. It basically operated like a real pen, and was used to carve out virtual clay. This thing was fun, and very convincing, and very intuitive. Amazing shapes were not difficult, but fatigue was a very significant factor. I suspect this kind of input will see the same issue.

    3D television also has a similar issue with fatigue, despite it's many advantages. The problem with the TV / Monitor display is the focus point does not change as it does when actually viewing in a 3D space. This tires the eyes quickly over the contradiction between experiencing some depth perception, and no real depth at a mechanical level.

    Couple these together, and one would have a very intense, fun, powerful, intuitive and extremely tiring interface!
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2012-05-21 21:52
    As long as you can play angry birds with it nobody will care cause it's only $70.

    "Just about the size of a flash drive, the Leap can distinguish your individual fingers and track your movements down to a 1/100th of a millimeter."

    So what the heck is inside of it then?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2012-05-21 21:58
    xanadu wrote: »
    "... and track your movements down to a 1/100th of a millimeter."

    I missed that in my quick review. I cry foul, that's a ridiculous claim. That's gotta be either a typo or a scam. At least they're letting you give them your credit card info for preorders...
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2012-05-21 22:07
    I was thinking an IR array that could track multiple targets and their distance from the unit. To have that kind of resolution they would need some kind of serious optics in there.

    I asked on their facebook page lol.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2012-05-22 01:22
    They replied back saying they will disclose the technology at a later date. Which probably means the same day they start shipping.
  • tobdectobdec Posts: 267
    edited 2012-05-22 02:25
    Im calling BS
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-05-22 04:45
    How could it be fake???....they got a video of it!!! :innocent:
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2012-05-25 09:25
    I may eat my words yet. This new video at Engadget shows a live demo which is impressive. Unless Engadget is part of the conspiracy!

    http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/leap-motion-gesture-control-technology-hands-on/#continued
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-05-25 10:02
    Dave: "HAL, pull my finger!"
    HAL: "I can't do that, Dave"
    Dave: "Come on HAL, pull my finger."
    HAL: "Dave, that's no longer funny."
    Dave: "HAL, I'll block your Facebook access!"
    HAL: "Ok, Dave.......finger pulled.....Navigation Burn in 4, 3, 2, 1......"
    Dave: "Man, I crack myself up!!"
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-07-22 08:53
    Well, maybe LEAP Motion will happen after all. My buddy received his and the software download is supposedly available today. The New York Times is on board: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57594384-93/new-york-times-app-adopts-leap-motion-gesture-control/

    App store: https://www.leapmotion.com/apps
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2013-07-22 09:13
    LA Times, Business Insider and CNBC can't all be wrong. https://www.google.com/search?q=leap+motion+videos&oq=leap+motion+videos&aqs=chrome.0.69i57.11880j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
    I'll let you know, mine is on its way. I'm not an expert or power user but I am a gadget freak.
  • ratronicratronic Posts: 1,451
    edited 2013-07-22 10:04
    I see a rectangular device with a black surface pointing up vertically right behind the keyboard. I wonder how they are detecting movement?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-07-22 10:25
    I suppose the question of user friendliness and arm fatigue will answer itself as the units become available. Holding your hand & arm up may sound trivial, but long-term, it's fairly tiring compared to a keyboard and mouse where your wrists are usually supported by the desktop or a padded rest.
  • ratronicratronic Posts: 1,451
    edited 2013-07-22 10:31
    I have personally disliked touch surface devices but if they can make it happen without touching the same dirty surface somebody else has been touching the maybe I'm interested. As long as I don't have to hang my arm in an awkward position.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-07-22 10:39
    erco wrote: »
    I suppose the question of user friendliness and arm fatigue will answer itself as the units become available. Holding your hand & arm up may sound trivial, but long-term, it's fairly tiring compared to a keyboard and mouse where your wrists are usually supported by the desktop or a padded rest.

    I think I'll side with the naysayers on this one. I just don't see how holding your finger up is going to be an improvement over a mouse or touchpad. It looks like it would be fun to try for a while but I'd think most people will get tired of it quickly.

    Anyone remember those computer screens with sensors around the screen area to detect where someone is pointing? Those didn't last long.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-07-22 10:41
    ratronic wrote: »
    I have personally disliked touch surface devices but if they can make it happen without touching the same dirty surface somebody else has been touching the maybe I'm interested. As long as I don't have to hang my arm in an awkward position.

    Ah, yes. I hadn't thought of using this on some sort of public application.

    I'm a germaphobe (I need to be with a heart transplant) and I don't like touching things other people touch. These gesture devices would be great for a public kiosk.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2013-07-22 11:12
    ratronic,
    ...touching the same dirty surface somebody else has been touching

    I understand where you are coming from here, but I do wonder. If you don't want to touch any "dirty surface somebody else has been touching" how do you function?

    How do you deal with:
    Public telephones (OK now extinct but recent history)
    Toilets in communal places like bars and restaurants.
    Door handles.
    Pedestrian push buttons at intersections.
    Hand rails on escalators etc.
    Touch screens at airport checkins or cash dispensers.
    Shaking hands with people.
    A billion other things in day to day life....

    ?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-07-22 11:20
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    These gesture devices would be great for a public kiosk.

    Very true, healthwise. But I doubt if any device could beat a touchscreen for intuitive use by a first-timer or technophobe. :)
  • ratronicratronic Posts: 1,451
    edited 2013-07-22 11:32
    Heater I don't go very far but I do have to touch all of the things you mentioned. If they can change the way the public interacts with some of those things I think we could be slightly more healthy.
  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,566
    edited 2013-07-22 15:23
    Although detecting multiple fingers would create more of a challenge, I would say this is plausible,

    Here is a video using the Si1143 Proximity/Gesture sensor from Parallax that provides a crude X and Y position from a single finger movement. This being from a very basic standpoint, I would think with a more sophisticated "view" of the fingers and hand would make the technology from leapmotion plausible.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq6tONa_4Cg
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2013-07-22 23:25
    I see a rectangular device with a black surface pointing up vertically right behind the keyboard. I wonder how they are detecting movement?
    IR leds and a camera. Sorta like the wii
  • tritoniumtritonium Posts: 543
    edited 2013-07-23 06:07
    I doubt if any device could beat a touchscreen for intuitive use by a first-timer or technophobe.

    Am I the ONLY one that finds nothing (hardly anything) intuitive about touch interfaces???

    It took my wife and I half a day to get past the padlock on her new Nexus tablet - after that it was all ???? ????
    And as for windows 8.........:frown:

    Dave
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2013-07-23 11:40
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    I think I'll side with the naysayers on this one. I just don't see how holding your finger up is going to be an improvement over a mouse or touchpad.

    I'm going to back the opposite opinion, and guess that this will represent a paradigm shift. Form keyboard, to keyboard + mouse, to touch screen, and now to touchless.

    Just as android device as generic interface indicates paradigm shift, touchless interface indicates paradigm shift.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2013-07-23 13:09
    Okay it's official, I'm getting old.

    I read this thread a couple days ago, went to the leap website, browsed the apps, almost decided to order but then didn't. I figured I would wait and see...

    Today I get a package from UPS, with a Leap inside! Checking my emails I discover I had ordered it on June 27th?!
  • ratronicratronic Posts: 1,451
    edited 2013-07-23 13:12
    Let us know what you think. I ordered one a couple of days ago.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2013-07-23 14:11
    braino,

    What paradigm shift?

    In the old days we had writing with chisels in rocks, then sticks in clay, then quills on papyrus, then pens on paper. Then we had typewriters. Then Morse code. Then computer terminals. And keyboards and mice as you say. Now touch screens and touchless gesture things.

    All finger input devices.

    Looks like more of the same to me.

    I do miss the rotary dials on telephones though....
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-07-23 17:09
    Heater. wrote: »
    I do miss the rotary dials on telephones though....

    Didja see http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/148792-Neat-Old-Guy-Does-Electronics ?
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-07-23 17:28
    I'm holding out until I get a device that reads my thoughts before I'm even aware of having them.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-07-23 17:30
    ElectricAye wrote: »
    I'm holding out until I get a device that reads my thoughts before I'm even aware of having them.

    My new robot predicted you would say exactly that an hour ago.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-07-23 18:21
    erco wrote: »
    My new robot predicted you would say exactly that an hour ago.

    I'll have to get back to you on that, erco, as my awareness of this event has yet to percolate into my consciousness.

    However, judging by the looks of it, one of my computer digits seems to have already received the good news.

    0313_Santorum_wins_full_600.jpg
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