Microsoft digs Doppler to effect gesture detection
Sound thinking
Microsoft Research took motion detection to new levels this week when it unveiled a new gesture recognition system for laptops.
Called SoundWave, the rig utilises the Doppler effect, picking up subtle changes in sound wave frequencies to calculate how a user's hand is moving in front of a laptop. It's said to work even in noisy environments.
SoundWave works by emitting an inaudible tone between 18 and 22kHz. As these waves reflect off an object, the frequency is changed slightly. The changes are detected by the computer's array of microphones.
Combined with the changes in a sound wave's amplitude, direction, speed and time variation, the system determines which gesture is being made.
While it is unlikely to have much effect from a distance - we'll keep using Kinect for that - SoundWave could come in handy for close-up computer gesturing.
Check out the demonstration video:
COMMENTS
"an inaudible tone between 18[kHz] and 22kHz"
Cue logs of dogs barking at laptops and small children complaining about a noise their parents can't hear.
Re: Genie isn't going back in the bottle
Well obviously there could be no *technical* justification to bring back flares, but I don't trust these fashionistas.
Re: Obvoious really.
Ah, you nearly managed to sneak a "you kids get your pesky 16:10 off my lawn" post in as on-topic, nice try :)
(Hint: Genie isn't going back in the bottle, also flares and analogue VGA aren't coming back any time soon)
Microsoft, here to help you
You seem to be banging your head on the keyboard. Do you need any help with that?
Re: And if it's not possible
Really? Where are these devices, I certainly haven't heard of them...
