HandSense: discriminating different ways of grasping and holding a tangible user interface

ABSTRACT

As mobile and tangible devices are getting smaller and smaller it is desirable to extend the interaction area to their whole surface area. The HandSense prototype employs capacitive sensors for detecting when it is touched or held against a body part. HandSense is also able to detect in which hand the device is held, and how. The general properties of our approach were confirmed by a user study. HandSense was able to correctly classify over 80 percent of all touches, discriminating six different ways of touching the device (hold left/right, pick up left/right, pick up at top/bottom). This information can be used to implement or enhance implicit and explicit interaction with mobile phones and other tangible user interfaces. For example, graphical user interfaces can be adjusted to the user's handedness.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)

Keywords:
capacitive sensing, grasp, handedness, input devices, sensors, touch