Providing Dynamically Changeable Physical Buttons on a Visual Display - CHI '09

[7ty714]

Screw touch-screen, this is the future of interfaces!

[almagenes]

1:52 LONG LIVE THE NEW FLESHHHH

[djsmithy]

This is something i always dreamed about,

movable buttons for a midi controller or whatever.

Now if there was only some way of having movable Knobs, (pots/encoders), to go along with it, it would be perfect.

[kidluna]

I projected this behind me while I DJed thanks!

[AerialTheShamen]

As soon that touch screen goes in series on smartphones, surely the first commercial apps for it will be unavoidably nude girlie picts with the nipples sticking out the more you tickle their breasts. ;-)

(But no joke, the invention makes sense.)

I still remember those foil keypads on cheque card calculators and ZX81 homecomputer from 1980th; when several keys were pushed in, others bulged out inflated because certain key groups formed together a sealed air chamber.

[ReikaiDemon]

Pretty soon, we will no longer have screens that use graphical video to display guis. It will be a display of chromodynamic nano technology that will change shape and color with virtually no latency. Heck, the entire case itself can be a display, and change color, shape and pattern. Textures can be emulated, buttons can be made, you will feel everything

[HavePride1]

@ReikaiDemon all thanks to LCD technology

[Kookas]

@HavePride1 Actually, it's not. The upcoming smartphones seem to be all about the AMOLED, S-AMOLED and OLED tech, which allows for more manipulation of the screen.

[bluesrunthegame]

That's really cool. It just needs a little crunch.

[lynnvm]

I want something like this for my TV remote control so I wouldn't have to turn the lights on to change channels or fast forward the DVR!

[goodoldbill]

Man,I totally agree

[andrewh23]

Beyond certain applications for the blind, I think it's pointless to be bringing back buttons.

[morky14]

theres a study about using phones while driving, touchscreen users looked away from the road 4 times as much

[scottishwildcat]

Touchscreens have all sorts of drawbacks. Main reason I'd never buy an iPod Touch to replace my current iPod Mini is because I can't feel the controls when it's in my pocket or when I'm half-asleep in bed, for example...

[evanr2]

This is an excellent step towards multitouch adaptable tactile displays. There are many applications for the technology "AS IS"! Imagine - ATMs, Self-check out systems at grocery stores, cashier stations in restaurants. There are literally millions of touch displays in the US which could benefit from tactile sensation. I notice that it's rear-projection as opposed to LCD which could make it somewhat difficult to see in certain lighting conditions, but regardless it's an excellent project.

[storerestore]

This is amazing, and I hope you can get high enough resolution for readable braille.

[MatthewAT385]

This is an experimental and prototyping project, so it would be smart to look at it in that way. And, do not be so harsh.

Idea and interest for something different/new is always good.

People who say that there is no need to search, or upgrade existing technology for something new, are not so very bright people.

And in every problem in applicability, are usually money issues.

Just want to say, good job.

Best regards,

Matthew

[eurogoldexchange]

An interface that sucks and blows at the same time..

[badreaxion]

Interesting, but very limited in capability. Unless you can have a dynamic tactile display, this is a very long way away from being usable on modern handheld or small devices, and the requirements for an air pump mean it will require bulky addons.

I suppose it would work well in cars and other locations where size isn't important, but what happens if the display gets punctured, as it may do with a rogue sharp fingernail etc.

[Weedlash]

cool!