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Motion Applications
In computing and entertainment devices, a motion application is any software application that uses three-dimensional motion relative to space to provide pointing and other information to the application. Motion applications move beyond the traditional control, keypad, and even the mouse and keyboard combination by using natural motions and gestures as a User Interface (UI) element. Motion-enabled applications incorporate motion sensors (gyroscopic, inertial or optical) embedded within a device (such as a cell phone) or as part of a peripheral controller (for example, in a gaming console, TV or set top box). Physically, a motion controller is any device that is motion-enabled – moving the device typically translates into the motion of a pointer on a display. This is sometimes a device built specifically for the application, such as an airmouse computer accessory; other times, this is a device into which motion-sensing technology has been built, such as a cell phone that knows when it is being held up to someone’s ear (and therefore can disable the sensitive touchscreen of the phone to prevent accidental launching of applications due to contact with the ear). When used in motion applications such as for personal computer navigation, a six-axis motion-sensing mouse is often called an airmouse or a 3D mouse. The Logitech MX Air mouse is a good example of this. However, many common devices built for motion applications bear no resemblance to a traditional mouse – the Hillcrest Labs’ Loop six-axis motion controller, for instance, resembles more a bagel than anything else. While the term ‘3D’ is often applied to motion-sensing devices and applications, motion applications are more correctly said to focus along “six axis” degrees of freedom -- x (left/right), y (up/down), z (in/out), attitude, heading and elevation. The relevant motions of these six dimensions are selected and measured to produce a natural mapping of the relationship between motion and cursor movement in the application.
While motion applications technologies are traditionally and often used as a part of specialized industrial control systems, in 2003 the introduction of the Gyration remote controls followed by the 2005 introduction of the Nintendo Wii system for gaming and the Hillcrest Labs’ Loop for entertainment systems extended these applications into the mainstream existing and emerging categories of entertainment, computing, and consumer electronics devices.
Types of motion-sensing technologies
Motion-enabled applications incorporate motion sensors (gyroscopic, accelerometric, or optical) embedded within a device (such as a cell phone) or as part of a peripheral controller (for example, in a gaming console, TV or set top box).
A gyroscope senses the movement of the device as it moves through the air. The advantages of gyroscopic technologies are that such devices need no cleaning of internal parts and can have many extra buttons, in fact, some laptops doubling as TVs come with gyroscopic mice that resemble, and double as, remotes with LCD screens built in. Gyroscopic devices [need to name a downside of these devices]. An accelerometer is a device for measuring acceleration, detecting and measuring vibrations, or for measuring acceleration due to gravity (inclination). An accelerometer inherently measures its own motion (locomotion), in contrast to a device based on remote sensing such as with optical motion sensors. Accelerometer-driven products are generally quite accurate but can have higher costs. Optical sensors use infrared detection (from an array of LEDs inside the Sensor Bar) to sense its position in 3D space. Depending on the number and positioning of the LEDs, the system can be quite accurate in positioning in airspace; however, interference from other sources of light and hinder the effectiveness of these sensors.
There are two general ranges of motion with motion applications:
• Absolute. Absolute motion-sensors seek to pinpoint an exact point on the screen, such as is popular with first-person shooter (FPS) games. • Relative. Relative motion-sensors seek to determine the tangential desired direction; this is the way a mouse works today. [might need better wording here]
Range of interaction
Interactivity with motion applications via motion-sensing devices typically allows users to: • Point • Click • Drag • Scroll • Hover • Zoom • Pan Common button operations include: • Select • Launch (an application) • Cut • Paste • Drag and drop • Hover and view • Zoom and view • Toggle on/off Physical interaction with a motion-sensing device can also auto-authenticate a user via biometric or other technologies.
Applications in Industrial Engineering
Motion control devices are utilized in industrial settings in both the design and production/manufacturing phases. During design, motion sensing interface devices are used for CAD and 3D Modeling and other design applications, allowing the designer or engineer to manipulate the design application in multiple dimensions. During production or manufacture of actual products, motion sensing and controlled devices are used to control robots, CNC machinery and other industrial tools.
Applications in Automobiles
Motion sensing devices (such as accelerometers) are frequently deployed in safety and control devices within modern automobiles. Examples include sensors used to control airbag inflation, or sensors used to detect acceleration (in multiple dimensions) for controlling vehicle stability control systems. Automobile manufacturers are one of the largest consumers of the MEMS devices which enable motion control applications.
Applications in Gaming
The advent of the Nintendo Wii has lead to widespread public awareness of motion applications, with the Wii’s two controllers (the Wiimote and the Nunchuck) both incorporating motion sensors which are used to drive gameplay. Despite its inferior graphics and HDTV capabilities when compared to competing 7th Generation gaming consoles (specifically the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3), the Wii has become the best selling console of its generation, with most analysts crediting this performance to the motion-sensing nature of the Wii.
A number of third party peripheral developers (as well as Nintendo itself) have developed controller accessories which use the motion-sensing capability of the Wii to simulate specific devices (such as baseball bats, guns, and other devices).
The Sony Playstation 3 also provides some motion sensing capabilities with its Sixaxis game controller, although this device relies primarily on more traditional button-based inputs to control most games.
Third party vendors are developing Wii-like motion-sensing controllers designed to work with existing and legacy consoles. Such controllers will replace the existing controller, and will provide motion sensitive controls only for games specifically designed for such gameplay.
Applications in TV/Entertainment
An emerging application within the motion applications realm is the use of motion-sensing control devices for TV and other home entertainment devices. The profusion of content – whether it be cable or IPTV channels, video on demand, Internet video , digital music files, or home video content – has made traditional on-screen methods of sorting, browsing and searching content obsolete. The traditional “TV Guide” grid doesn’t scale well to thousands or tens of thousands of available programming choices.
Because the existing interfaces and control devices are often unable to scale to the volume of content available, some vendors are developing new graphical interfaces which are specifically designed to be controlled by motion-sensing controllers.
For example, Hillcrest Labs has developed its Freespace navigation technology which works with the company’s HōME system to provide an interactive platform for TV , entertainment-centric PCs and consumer electronics. The Hillcrest solution offers users a greatly simplified user interface and experience without the limitations of the traditional hierarchical menu system.
See also
Mouse (computing) Computer accessibility Human–computer interaction Light gun Motion-sensing Mouse gesture Mouse keys Mousepad Pointing stick Powerglove Six degrees of freedom Trackball USB Wii Remote
Notes
References
External Links
The Motion Applications Report
Consult the User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.
