[ Future look: Interactive technology ]
consoles, energy monitors and standard personal computers into the mix of technologies, the connected home is now a reality for many people. Yet this is only the beginning of the ‘looking glass
future’.
Surface computing Surface computing is the term for the use of a specialised computer interface characterised by intuitive, everyday objects. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, the user interacts directly with a touch-sensitive screen. It has been said that this more closely replicates the familiar hands-on experience of everyday objects. Early work in this area was done at the University
of Toronto, at Alias Research, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Surface computing developments have included customised solutions from vendors such as Cybertecture, GestureTek and Microsoft.
Cybertecture mirror The Cybertecture Mirror is a reflective mirror with programmable applications and digital display for the home, offi ce and public environments (hotels, hospitals and retail shops). It is seamlessly connected with the internet via wireless broadband technology. The Cybertecture Mirror is a visual refl ective display to augment the user’s refl ection with interactive information. It can be customised for specific functions such as telehealth, and can communicate with computers and smartphones.
Cisco Virtual Mirror Cisco has been working on the virtual mirror, which will launch in UK stores this year and allows people to see what they look like in clothes without physically trying them on. The mirror is designed to make shopping more exciting
and convenient by avoiding queuing for the fi tting rooms, but some people say they still prefer using a fi tting room – especially when it comes to being sure the clothes fi t properly. And once someone has taken an image in the virtual mirror it can also be sent by text message, email or uploaded to Facebook.
Any surface can be made interactive There is a growing range of commercial applications for interactive surface computing as illustrated on the right, including (from top to bottom) interactive table tops; mirrors; fl oor games; multi-retail tables and touch stores; shop window touch screens (as used here by estate agents); virtual car show rooms, and the world’s largest interactive screen (425m2
with 6,000 computer displays). There is a
growing range of commercial applications for interactive surface
computing
Apple iPad for electrical engineers The Apple iPad is the most successful example of surface computing, with thousands of apps. There is a growing collection of useful ones for the electrical engineer, including:
iCircuit – iCircuit allows for designing and experimenting with circuits. Its advanced simulation engine can handle both analogue and digital circuits and features real-time always-on analysis. The app features a multimeter that you use to probe around the circuit to instantly read voltages and currents. If you want to see how a value changes over time, then you can add values to the built-in oscilloscope. The scope can simultaneously track many signals over time, and features a touch interface to control the total time displayed, and stacked and unstacked modes to easily compare signals.
TakeNotes – TakeNotes allows you to write, draw, highlight, or text on any document using an image or PDF fi le as the background. You can use it for drawing, taking notes, and fi lling out forms, including electrical certifi cates. You can share your completed documents and forms via
email or over the network as images or PDF fi les, inclusive of digital signatures eliminating the need for manual paper handling, fi ling and retrieval.
Noteshelf – An easy-to-use handwriting note taker that features natural digital ink and a comprehensive toolset: ■ Neatly organise all your notebooks on the shelf, each with a cover and title of your choosing;
■ Group related notebooks together and label the groups appropriately for better organisation;
■ Password protect groups of notebooks on the shelf for privacy; and
■ Rearrange pages within a notebook or move them to different notebooks to reorganise your notes.
MyScript Memo – Take your notes on the go using your handwriting, and convert them to digital text that you can export and share with Evernote, Facebook, Twitter, Gmail or copy/paste to any other text application. MyScript Memo is available in 30 recognition languages, including Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Russian, English, Spanish, and French. In addition, MyScript Memo allows you to create notes including free drawings, pictures and handwritten annotations.
Adonit Jot – Designed for use with the above apps, the Adonit Jot is an innovative capacitive stylus that, with the Apple iPad, simulates the look and feel of paper and pen.
GoodReader – The leading PDF reader for iPad and one of the most popular business apps. With GoodReader on your iPad, you can view virtually anything, anywhere: books, movies, maps, pictures and manuals. It also has the ability to mark-up PDF documents with a typewriter mode for text boxes, sticky notes, and inserts lines, arrows, and freehand drawings.
January 2012 ECA Today 59
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