Nokia patents controller fabric

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 9th July 2009
Comments (15) Stumble
Nokia patents controller fabric

Nokia's patent indicates that the company is looking at the use of fabric with embedded sensors - to be worn as a next-generation 'phone input device.

If you find controlling your smartphone via a touchscreen a drag – and wouldn't be seen dead using old-fashioned buttons – then you might want to keep an eye on Nokia's output for the next few iterations.

According to an article over on Unwired View, the Finnish mobile giant has filed a patent for a wearable interface for its next-generation smartphones.

Taking the form of a sleeve filled with embedded sensors, the rather novel input system is able to detect the stretching and relaxation of your skin - and from there figure out exactly what you're attempting to do with your 'phone. Commands are then transmitted wirelessly to your handset for execution.

The patent also covers modifying the sleeve into a glove – including an interesting single-fingered version that probably won't be gracing the catwalks of Milan any time soon – for a more natural control system. What the patent doesn't cover, however, is just how usable the technology might be.

A patent application does not, of course, represent a definite direction that Nokia's research and development team is taking: doubly so for the near-eye display glasses included in the application, which are have never proven popular in any previous iteration. However, despite doubts about just how usable the system might be when compared to the tried and tested touchscreen technology, it's good to see Nokia attempting to innovate.

Can you imagine using a digital sleeve – or glove – as a user interface design, or are you just having flashbacks to the last time this was attempted by a major consumer electronics company? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
Quote mjm25 9th July 2009, 14:13
how cool would you be wearing one of MJ's spangly gloves to control your N97?! ...Thats right! Not Very!
Quote Silver51 9th July 2009, 14:20
Nintendo should totally sue. ;)
Quote Gareth Halfacree 9th July 2009, 14:38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver51
Nintendo should totally sue. ;)
There's a link to that in the article, but the comparison falls down: rather than detect changes in the skin, the PowerGlove used fibre-optic cables which ran the length of each finger. As a finger was flexed, the amount of light which made it to a photoresistor at the end of the glove reduced - and from that it was possible to figure out when a finger was bent and by how much.

Okay, they're both gloves - but the PowerGlove was by no means a sensor fabric.
Quote Almightyrastus 9th July 2009, 14:39
that patent drawing looks like some kind of Victorian 'medical' device.
Quote Javerh 9th July 2009, 15:03
This doesn't necessarily mean Nokia is planning to use this type of technology. Patents are corporate tools to prevent competitors from using such technology. Thus, Nokia could be working on a completely different idea and is just covering its bases with the patents.
Quote Silver51 9th July 2009, 15:13
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gareth Halfacree
There's a link to that in the article...

Well that's embarrassing. In my defence I'm reading bit and remoting three other servers, I can blame it on the laagg.
Quote p3n 9th July 2009, 15:15
/mock nokia and their shitty software and now hardware too!
Quote Silver51 9th July 2009, 15:19
Quote:
Originally Posted by p3n
/mock nokia and their shitty software and now hardware too!

Feel free to do so, everything but the 8110 and 7110. Nokia made something with legendry status there.
Quote B1GBUD 9th July 2009, 17:19
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver51
Quote:
Originally Posted by p3n
/mock nokia and their shitty software and now hardware too!

Feel free to do so, everything but the 8110 and 7110. Nokia made something with legendry status there.

Ok, I'm feeling the 8110.... had one and loved it, but the 7110? Urrgh, that was fugly
Quote Silver51 9th July 2009, 19:21
Well, the 8110 was featured in The Matrix, but as I recall they only implemented the sprung loaded cover in the 7110. I wouldn't mind picking up both and modding the cover on the 8110, but the technology inside is getting on a bit.
Quote ssj12 10th July 2009, 03:11
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver51
Nintendo should totally sue. ;)

well considering the Power Glove was made by Mattel and not Nintendo there would be no reason for Nintendo to sue. Plus this uses a more advance tech like Gareth Halfacree said.
Quote Constructacon 10th July 2009, 03:58
Time to watch The Wizard again.
Quote SteveU 10th July 2009, 09:47
I had a Mattel power glove!!

Wish I hadn't sold it now, bet they'll be worth a bit in years to come.
Quote smilinrat 10th July 2009, 17:51
Maybe they should call these guys up: http://www.theperegrine.com/
Quote N!ck 13th July 2009, 17:38
fear my POWERGLOVE LOL :-)
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