A new simple and versatile input device called the MouseField, which enables users to control various information appliances easily without huge amount of cost. A MouseField consists of an ID recognizer and motion sensors that can detect an object and its movement after the object is placed on it. The system can interpret the user’s action as a command to control the flow of information.

Implementation of MouseField which consists of two motion sensors (taken from standard optical mouses) and an RFID reader (Texas Instruments S2000 Micro Reader) hidden under the surface. The RFID reader and the two optical mouses are connected to a PC through a USB cable, and they can detect the ID and the motion of the object put on the device. When a user puts an object with an RFID on the MouseField, it first detects what was put on the RFID reader. When the user moves or rotates the object, motion sensors detects the direction and rotation of the object.

An example of the interface where a user can enjoy music using a MouseField and CD cases which represent the music in the CD. All the music in the CD are saved in a music server, and an RFID tag is attached to each CD case. When a user places a CD case on the MouseField, a music player is displayed on the screen, shows the contents of the CD, and starts playing the music. The user can change the sound volume by rotating the CD case, and move to the next or previous music by sliding the case to the front or to the back. When the user removes the case from the MouseField, the sound stops and a screen saver is displayed placing a CD case starts playing music sliding the CD case plays the next music rotating the CD case changes the sound volume on the screen.

This is an experimental project, but the idea is very interesting.

- For more information about the MouseField project…

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This is a project by three guys at the University of California: Santa Cruz in the Fall of 2005 and Winter of 2006 as part of their senior design class. The goal of FRE3SPACE was to create a wireless mouse that could operate in three dimensions. In other words, while holding the mouse in the air you could move your arm left or right, up and down, towards and away, in relation to your computer.

This project was completed in March of 2006 with some success. The mouse does work, and the position of the mouse can be detected with an accuracy of 3 centimeters, over a range of 1 to 6 meters, with the position being updated 25 times per second. The mouse contains 5 general use buttons whose status are also updated 25 times per second. The mouse is also rechargable by simply plugging it into the wall with an AC adapter. The mouse will last about 14 hours on a single charge. Mouse coordinates and button states are sent to the PC over a USB link.

The system would cost roughly $550 to construct additional units, and more than half that cost is for an Altera NiosII FPGA Dev Kit. If a new design for another PCB that contains the FPGA is made, this could lower the non-mass-produced system cost to under $400.

- Powerpoint presentation of the FRE3SPACE project…
- More in-depth information about the project in this Doc file…
- The official website of the FRE3SPACE project…

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Most phones now have a camera and can run Java, there is no reason that some software couldn’t be written to watch for movement in the camera, and translate that into mouse signals for the PC. Bluetooth could be used to send the data to the PC. So there was the challenge, a java program that took multiple frames from the nokia camera, translated that into direction and speed and sent it to the PC as mouse movements.

The software that is being used is still not available for download!

- For more information about the Nokia 6230i Bluetooth Mouse project…

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SatuGO: See Aim Throw captUre & GO. Imagine combining your love for bouncing balls and your obsession with taking pictures into one, now it has a name SatuGO. Simply throw SatuGO into the motive to catch the moment, where it hits you get a picture, or take air photos by activating the timer before throwing the SatuGO. Other than being a camera SatuGO can act as a mobile storage facility for your personal data and function as a webcam.

What is SatuGO?
SatuGO is a combination of a bouncing ball and a camera with the purpose to make it more fun to take pictures. Throw the SatuGO camera and it takes a picture where it hits a surface, or set the timer and take pictures from far up in the air. Besides this SatuGO also has secondary functions such as webcam and mobile data storage. SatuGO is about the size of a normal tennis ball but where the tennis ball has air SatuGO has a 3 mega pixel camera.

Why should I have a SatuGO?
SatuGO is a fun alternative to the ordinary camera. The wish is to make the photographer an active part of the picture by throwing the camera into the motive. SatuGO is not intended to take “pretty” pictures, this is also why it doesn’t have a screen, you have to get to a computer to see what you have captured.

How does it work?
You can take pictures with SatuGO by simply throwing it, when it hits a surface it takes a picture. SatuGO also has a built in timer and flash. To activate either the flash or the timer, SatuGO has to be placed in the holder, now the user has to beat a specific rhythm on either the red or the black rubber part of the ball.
If the user chooses the timer he can punch seconds into it, the time chosen will be the interval for how often the camera will take a picture. When the camera is taken out of the holder the time starts.

To see the motives that have been captured, the SatuGO needs to be connected to a computer using the belt clip. The belt clip also works as a USB connector. SatuGOs internal battery is charged while pictures and data are transferred to the computer.

Where can SatuGO be used?
SatuGO can be used almost anywhere. It is very rugged and can handle bumps, hits and naturally also water. SatuGO is primarily thought as a fun alternative to normal cameras, with endless possibilities, e.g. if you are skiing, running, out diving, partying or if you just want to be at home and use SatuGO as your webcam.

Who buys a SatuGO?
The typical SatuGO user is a person that sees possibilities in everything he sees – a person that just has to capture the world from new and crazy perspectives. The typical SatuGO user is a person that is not afraid to confront the world and see it from totally different and crazy perspectives; this could be everyone, from the skater on the street to the businessman, who really just is a big boy.

When can I buy my SatuGO?
SatuGO is still only a concept product! Often it is very hard to get out with a totally new concept, because producers and investors run a big risk by investing in new ideas. We have tried to accommodate this by making a website with the purpose to gather the SatuGO customers already before SatuGO is set into production. The website works as a kind of public subscription with the purpose to make the commercial market possibilities visible to potential investors. Interested users can register on the website to be one of the first to be offered a SatuGO without being required to buy one, at the same time investors can see how many that are interested in buying a SatuGO camera.

The price of the satuGO camera should be about $69, but it is not yet available.

- For more information about the satuGo camera project…

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