Sensacell

Sensacell is an interactive interface technology developed by the Sensacell Corporation. Described by the company as a “Modular Sensor Surface,” Sensacell was designed to provide a wide variety of large-scale interactive display applications.

A Sensacell surface functions as an interactive touchscreen display, but on a large-scale framework. Individual, tile-like modules—each containing LED (Light-emitting diode) lighting and capacitive sensors—are connected in an open-ended array. As the sensors can read through solid materials, Sensacell networks may be installed within common structural and architectural components, enhancing its configurative flexibility and durability.

Technology

The Sensacell system consists of an array of individual input/output modules, or “tiles.” Each module typically contains a combination of capacitive sensors to collect input, and LED lighting to provide output. The tiles are designed to fit within a 6” square grid, and are currently produced in three different configurations: HSI64-36-Monochrome [36 single-color LEDs]; HSI64-36-RGB [36 full-color LEDs]; S61-49-White [49 white LEDs].

A constructed surface essentially functions as a multi-touch touchscreen, but with additional capabilities due to the nature of the capacitive sensors used in the tiles. The sensing electrodes can detect, without physical contact, persons and objects moving in proximity to the surface, to a distance of 150 mm.

The ability to detect proximity provides a third variable of user input. A traditional touchscreen collects information on the two-dimensional plane of the surface itself; a “touch” or other input is translated into x-axis and y-axis coordinates on a Cartesian grid. Sensacell surfaces can track the relative distance of an object, adding a three-dimensional, or z-axis coordinate, data object that can be captured and processed.

Additionally, the capacitive sensors used can detect through solid materials without performance degradation. This allows Sensacell networks to be housed in common, durable architectural materials; any surface from a panel, floor, wall, an entire room or more can be made into an integrated interactive display.

Modes of Operation

Sensacell modules can operate as a stand alone interactive system, or under the control of an external computer.

Autonomous Mode

In its basic configuration, Sensacell surfaces can operate autonomously in response to user input. Several modes of visual feedback are pre-programmed into the tiles, which can be selected as appropriate to the installation. This functionality is typically utilized in architectural and interior design applications to create illuminated surfaces that respond to the presence of people or objects by changing color, brightness or pattern.

Software-controlled Mode

By connecting the array to an external computer, a Sensacell surface can serve as a large-scale, interactive interface and media display. In this configuration, proprietary software is used to collect and transmit data across the network of tiles. The sensor surface can display images, video, and other multimedia content, which can then also be controlled by user input.

Examples of Use

The combination of modularity, scalability and durability inherent in a Sensacell network lends itself to a wide variety of applications. In particular, constructed surfaces can be enclosed in or separated by architectural building materials such as glass, plastic, or wood. Therefore, a large-scale interactive space can be created where the installation of similar technology would be impractical or infeasible.

Examples in current use include: marketing and display kiosks; interactive museum exhibits; exercise gaming (exergaming); and user-reactive furniture, interactive architectural and interior design installations; multimedia information displays.

History

Sensacell was developed by engineer Leo Fernekes and architect Joakim Hannerz in 2004. Fernekes and Hannerz formed the Sensacell Corporation in 2005.

See also

• Graphics tablet
• Graphics tablet-screen hybrid
• Multi-touch
• Tablet PC
• Touchpad
• Touchscreen

External links

General

• Sensacell web site
• Howstuffworks - How do touchscreen monitors know where you're touching?
• Everyware: The Dawning Age of Ubiquitous Computing – Adam Greenfield
• Transmaterial: A Catalog of Materials That Transform Our Physical Environment - Blaine Erickson Brownell
• Circa Nightclub Toronto