Masayasu Ogata

SenSkin: adapting skin as a soft interface

We present a sensing technology and input method that uses skin deformation estimated through a thin band-type device attached to the human body, the appearance of which seems socially acceptable in daily life. An input interface usually requires feedback. SenSkin provides tactile feedback that enables users to know which part of the skin they are touching in order to issue commands. The user, having found an acceptable area before beginning the input operation, can continue to input commands without receiving explicit feedback. We developed an experimental device with two armbands to sense three-dimensional pressure applied to the skin. Sensing tangential force on uncovered skin without haptic obstacles has not previously been achieved. SenSkin is also novel in that quantitative tangential force applied to the skin, such as that of the forearm or fingers, is measured. An infrared (IR) reflective sensor is used since its durability and inexpensiveness make it suitable for everyday human sensing purposes. The multiple sensors located on the two armbands allow the tangential and normal force applied to the skin dimension to be sensed. The input command is learned and recognized using a Support Vector Machine (SVM). Finally, we show an application in which this input method is implemented.

iRing: intelligent ring using infrared reflection

We present the iRing, an intelligent input ring device developed for measuring finger gestures and external input. iRing recognizes rotation, finger bending, and external force via an infrared (IR) reflection sensor that leverages skin characteristics such as reflectance and softness. Furthermore, iRing allows using a push and stroke input method, which is popular in touch displays. The ring design has potential to be used as a wearable controller because its accessory shape is socially acceptable, easy to install, and safe, and iRing does not require extra devices. We present examples of iRing applications and discuss its validity as an inexpensive wearable interface and as a human sensing device.

Tangential force sensing system on forearm

In this paper, we propose a sensing system that can detect one dimensional tangential force on a forearm. There are some previous tactile sensors that can detect touch conditions when a user touches a human skin surface. Those sensors are usually attached on a fingernail, so therefore a user cannot touch the skin with two fingers or with their palm. In the field of cosmetics, for example, they want to measure contact forces when a customer puts their products onto their skin. In this case, it is preferable that the sensor can detect contact forces in many different contact ways. In this paper, we decided to restrict a target area to a forearm. Since the forearm has a cylindrical shape, its surface deformation propagates to neighboring areas around a wrist and an elbow. The deformation can be used to estimate tangential force on the forearm. Our system does not require any equipment for the active side (i.e. fingers or a palm). Thus a user can touch the forearm in arbitrary ways. We show basic numerical simulation and experimental results which indicate that the proposed system can detect tangential force on the forearm. Also we show some possible applications that use the forearm as a human-computer interface device.

FlashTouch: data communication through touchscreens

FlashTouch is a new technology that enables data communication between touchscreen-based mobile devices and digital peripheral devices. Touchscreen can be used as communication media using visible light and capacitive touch. In this paper, we designed a stylus prototype to describe the concept of FlashTouch. With this prototype, users can easily transfer data from one mobile device to another. It eliminates the complexity associated with data sharing among mobile users, which is currently achieved by online data sharing services or wireless connections for data sharing that need a pairing operation to establish connections between devices. Therefore, it can prove to be of particular significance to people who are not adept at current software services and hardware functions. Finally, we demonstrate the valuable applications in online settlements via mobile device, and data communication for mobile robots.

Pygmy: a ring-like anthropomorphic device that animates the human hand

Pygmy is an anthropomorphic device that magnifies hand expressions. It is based on the concept of hand anthropomorphism and it uses finger movements to create the anthropomorphic effect. Wearing the device is similar to having eyes and a mouth on the hand; the wearers hand spontaneously expresses their emotions. Interactive manipulation by controllers and sensors make the hand look animated.

Cooky: a cooperative cooking robot system

We propose a cooperative cooking robot system that operates with humans in an open environment. The system can cook a meal by pouring various ingredients into a boiling pot on an induction heating cooker and adjusting the heating strength according to a recipe that is developed by the user. Our contribution is in the design of the system incorporating robotic- and human-specific elements in a shared workspace so as to achieve a cooperative rudimentary cooking capability. First, we provide a graphical user interface to display detailed cooking instructions to the user. Second, we use small mobile robots instead of built-in arms to save space, improve flexibility, and increase safety. Third, we use special cooking tools that are shared with the robot. We hope insights obtained in this study will be useful for the design of other household systems in the future. A previous version of our system has been presented [1]. This demonstration will show an extended version with a new robot and improved interaction design.

PINOKY: a ring-like device that gives movement to any plush toy

Everyone has owned or have been in contact with plush toys in their life, and plush toys play an integral part in many areas, for example in a childs growing up process, in the medical field, and as a form of communication media. In order to enhance the interaction experience with plush toys, we created the PINOKY. PINOKY is a wireless, ring-like device that can be externally attached to any plush toy as an accessory that animates the toy by moving its limbs. It is a non-intrusive device, and users can instantly convert their personal plush toys into soft robots. Currently, there are several interactions, such as letting the user control the toy remotely, or inputting the desired movement by moving the toy, and having the data recorded and played back.

Japanese HCI Symposium: Emerging Japanese HCI Research Collection

This symposium showcases the latest work from Japan on interactive systems and user interfaces that address under-explored problems and demonstrate unique approaches. In addition to circulating ideas and sharing a vision of future research in human-computer interaction, this symposium aims to foster social networks among young researchers and students and create a fresh research community.