Microsoft Files Patent For Revolutionary Computer Control Technology

Microsoft Corporation has taken the next big step in computer technology as one of the oldest and biggest IT entity has filed a patent for a new technology its experimenting with, that would enable users to control their computers by merely the actions of their muscles. The revolutionary concept will be able to detect and respond to human muscular activity and operate the computers, without the input of any physical commands to the machines. This one of a kind technology is called muscle-computer interfaces (muCIs) and is currently under intense research at Microsoft Research.

The projects revolves around Electromyography (EMG), where a user controls a computer, simply by the movement of his muscles. EMG is one of the principle factors that, help us perform actions in our daily. It measures the signals being communicated between our brain and our muscles, including muscles contractions. The research as of now is its early stages, but if perfected it would open up new venues of human to machine interactions, quite like the futuristic computer operations, depicted in the Hollywood Blockbuster, Minority Report.

Currently, scientists at Microsoft Research have been able to begin experiments on the technology, but attaching sensors on forearms and have achieved relative success in controlling various functions of computers. The ongoing research is focusing on the pressure exerted by one’s fingers along with finger specific functions and also the concept of controlling computers, with our postures, even without the involvement of fingers.

In its patent filing, Microsoft said,

“Human-computer interactions have been primarily detected using direct manipulation of devices such as mice, keyboards, pens, dials, and touch-sensitive surfaces. As computing and digital information becomes integrated into everyday environments, situations arise where it may be inconvenient or difficult to use hands to directly manipulate an input device. For example, a driver attempting to query a vehicle navigation system might find it helpful to be able to do so without removing his or her hands from the steering wheel. A person in a meeting may wish to unobtrusively interact with a computing device. Furthermore, direct physical manipulation spreads microbes, so hands-free input mechanisms can helpful in areas sensitive to contamination, for example surgery rooms.

Most implement-free or hands-free interaction approaches have involved speech and computer vision. While improving, these technologies still have drawbacks. They can be unreliable, sensitive to interference from environmental noise, and can require a person to make obtrusive motions or sounds.
Another approach is to infer user input from sensed human muscle activity. Advances in muscular sensing and processing technologies make it possible for humans to interface with computers directly with muscle activity. One sensing technology, electromyography (EMG), measures electrical potentials generated by the activity of muscle cells. EMG-based systems may use sensors that are carefully placed according to detailed knowledge of the human physiology. Specific muscle activity is measured and used to infer movements, intended or not.”