Mouseless, the 'invisible' computer mouse (w/ Video)
July 8, 2010 by Lin Edwards
(PhysOrg.com) -- Mouseless is a computer mouse that allows you to interact with a computer with a mouse in the same way as usual - except that there is no mouse hardware. The researchers call it an "invisible mouse."
A group of scientists working with the Fluid Interfaces Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab in Cambridge Massachusetts, were interested in removing the requirement for a physical mouse, while still allowing computer users to interact with their computers in a way with which they were familiar.
The researchers, Pranav Mistry, Liyan Chang, and Pattie Maes, developed an infrared (IR) laser beam and associated camera that could be incorporated into the computer so that a plane of IR laser would be created just above the surface on which the computer is resting. The user acts as though a physical mouse were present and the laser beam is intersected by the hand, and parts of the hand are shown up as bright spots of light that change position as the hand moves. The built-in camera then interprets the changes in position of the hand and fingers and translates them as moves of the mouse and clicks on the two buttons, and the cursor on the screen moves as if the user was operating a physical mouse.
This video is not supported by your browser at this time.
Mouseless is an invisible computer mouse.
There are no plans for commercializing the "invisible mouse," but the prototype Mouseless was built for around $20 USD. The MIT group of researchers are now working on improvements to the recognition and tracking algorithms with the aim of building up an expanded command library. This may in the future lead to more complex gesture recognition than is possible at present, and could ultimately give the Mouseless a number of advantages over a physical mouse, since the number of functions handled by a physical mouse is limited.
Mouseless working prototype system
The MIT Media Lab’s Fluid Interfaces group works on ways of integrating the world of digital information and services more naturally into our normal lives, by designing intuitive and intelligent interfaces.Pranav Mistry is a PhD student and research assistant at MIT Media Lab. His project “SixthSense” won the Popular Science Invention of the Year award in 2009.
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More information: http://www.pranavm … s/mouseless/
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Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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For most people maybe, but for someone who is fast on a PC, you will NEVER replace a good mouse and keyboard.
Only a direct brain interface has that potential.
I do think people would buy this though if it was commercialized.
Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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It looks like every "click" is a double tap of the finger. So I'd imagine a drag would be a single tap of the finger, until there's another single tap.
Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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You know before the web - almost everyone used double clicking - and outside of a browser you have to double click to do everything except changing context.
it would seem the click drag is safe -- this is implemented in the OS. the click on the border gives the border context, written into the program that describes border windows ( in windows everything on the screen except text is technically a window and they all have slightly different rules -- this is hidden from the user but programmers are aware of the difference) -- anyway clicking on a border to drag, once the initial click down is detected you enter a new part of the program that allows you to resize until a release of the mouse button is detected.
This is just a working prototype I wouldn;t expect that to be addressed at this stage but looks highly feasible.
this will probably not cut into anyones bottom line as hardware that has to move tends to be expensive to engineer. This is a sensor with software.
Jul 08, 2010
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Yep - of course
http://en.wikiped...ognition
Jul 08, 2010
Rank: 3 / 5 (2)
Jul 08, 2010
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Also, the camera & laser would need to be MUCH smaller for this to be marketable.
And unlike a wireless mouse that can go anywhere (including switching to other side for lefties), this can only be used in a fairly small section to the right of the laptop.
Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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I think once the research hits this point it will be much more commercially viable. Cool concept though.
Jul 08, 2010
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For the type of work I do on a computer I'd still rather have a multi-gesture capable 24" LCD, or better still, as others have mentioned, neural input.
Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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But this might be a useful device for the more mobile folks who still hate touchpads :)....
(A built-in trackball on one notebook, some years ago, worked well enough to install the software for an external trackball.... Otherwise, it was a waste....)
Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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2. Once they get to the point where is can detect more sophisticated hand gestures, then it might work.
3. Move the camera around in front of the monitor, and turn the laser into a 3-d grid and you could have the old-school VR-type interface without the gloves.
But as-is, I don't see people buying into it.
Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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Jul 08, 2010
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Because that camera isn't designed to pick up that part of the spectrum. Some cameras will be able to detect infrared in black and white mode.
Jul 08, 2010
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They already have this, and I use it from time to time with the webcam built into my laptop. You don't even have to touch the keyboard; just pause on an area and it double-clicks for you. It's called 'Camera Mouse 2010'. Freeware, and fairly fun to use. It's at www.cameramouse.org.
Jul 08, 2010
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They REALLY ought to release the code and put the design on www.instructables.com or something--I've got $20 just waiting for something like this.
Jul 09, 2010
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Yawn.
I really have to laugh when they try and take an input device and SHAZAM make it better! All they are doing is substituting a table surface for the mouse.
The table does not move like the mouse so you get that wonderful sensation, there is nothing revolutionary about how you tell it what you want to do, you do exactly the same basic thing you do with.. gasp, existing mice.
Yawn.
Yawn.
Jul 10, 2010
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Just think about it, if I need to move the mouse across the screen, I simply move my index finger and the system gauges speed and direction and reacts accordingly until it recognizes the finger return to approximated original locale. Your middle finger can still be scroll, an that leaves your thumb and other two fingers for other directional, preset or macro commands..... or better yet, multiple commands at the same time!
I cannot wait to see where they take this and how quickly they increase accuracy!
Jul 13, 2010
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