Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Daniel Leithinger

Hiroshi Ishii

Ivan Poupyrev

Leonid Sigal

Philip John Jackson

Alex Olwal

Sean Follmer

Anthony DeVincenzi

Matthew Blackshaw

In exemplary implementations of this invention, a jammable structure functions as an HCI interface. A user provides input by changing the shape of a flexible layer of the jammable structure (e.g., by pressing against it or stretching, twisting or bending it) and receives haptic feedback (e.g., varying stiffness). Sensors are used to determine the shape of the flexible layer. The sensors output data that is indicative of electromagnetic waves that have traveled through the jammable media or of electrical or magnetic phenomena that are produced by the waves. For example, visible or infrared light may be shone through a transparent jammable media to the flexible layer and reflect back to a camera. The media may comprise granular particles (e.g., glass beads) and a liquid (e.g., oil) with matching indices of refraction. Or capacitive sensing may be used to detect the shape of the flexible layer.

Methods and apparatus for jammable HCI interfaces

In exemplary implementations of this invention, an array of linear actuators can be used to form a segmented surface. The surface can resemble a low relief sculpture. A user may control the shape of the surface by direct touch manipulation or by making freehand gestures at a distance from the surface. For example, the freehand gestures may comprise input instructions for selecting, translating, and rotating the shape of an object. A projector may augment the rendered shapes by projecting graphics on the surface.

Methods and apparatus for actuated 3D surface with gestural interactivity

An input device for tracking three-dimensional movements. The input device includes a tracking structure and is in electronic communication with a computing device. The tracking structure is detectable by a tracking device. The tracking structure is configured so that as the input device is deformed, the tracking structure deforms correspondingly.

Elastomeric input device

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Daniel Leithinger