Display System That Knows Who You Are

lee1 writes "New Scientist reports on an 'interactive computer display that keeps track of multiple users by differentiating between their touch'. The system consists of a touch-sensitive screen that can be operated by several users simultaneously. When a user touches the screen an electrical signal is sent through their body and picked up by a receiver located in their chair, telling a computer precisely where the screen was touched and by whom. Applications could include system access control, safer vehicle controls, and smarter videogames. The bottom line, in the words of one of the inventors: 'If the controls know who is operating them, they can behave appropriately.' The movie even has funkier than average background music."

Bad idea...

[__aaclcg7560]

I don't think I want a screen that can scream to the rest of the office, "Oh, it's another dirty pervert looking at me again."

Sigh

[Yurka]

Gone are the days of the generic PEBCAC - now computers will know exactly who is there between them and chairs.

Re:Sigh

[AWhiteFlame]

On the contrary, it gives us some excellent opportunities as programmers. "Error: Brian is using this system. Enough said." "Warning: James is using the main system again. This may cause data corruption. Continue?"

Keep your fingers off

[9mm Censor]

Awesome. I would love a monitor that tracks who puts there fingers on my screen. So I know who's fingers to break when the muck my display up.

Re:Great!

[PFI_Optix]

Do you suppose it's a threat to my pace--

*FZZZZT*

*THUMP*

Now the computer knows who hit it

[coffeechica]

I like it. Finally I'll know when my boyfriend is playing with my desktop again, because then the screen will scream for help. No more rescuing the system after an embarrassed admission that the screen suddenly turned blue, when he didn't do anything except play with the settings a little.

Re:Bad idea...

[Tackhead]

> I don't think I want a screen that can scream to the rest of the office, "Oh, it's another dirty pervert looking at me again."

"It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander when you were telecommuting or within range of a telescreen. The smallest thing could give you away. A nervous tic, an unconscious look of bedroom eyes, a habit of muttering to yourself, anything that carried with it the suggestion of looking at b00bies, or having something to hide from HR. In any case, to sport wood at the office, was itself a punishable offense. There was even a word for it in Cubespeak: pantcrime."

- Little Sister, 1985

Re:OK, I'll be the first to say it

[javachip]

Computer: Get your filthy *&^*( off of my screen!
User: That's not mine. It's his.
Computer: Is that supposed to make me feel better?

Re:Now the computer knows who hit it

[Anonymous Coward]

just install linux for the blue screen problem! :) (any flavor will do)

Does it come in Caffeine Free Diet Cherry Vanilla Strawberry Swirl Cream of Wheat Dr. Pepper flavor? With a twist of lemon?

Warning Stickers

[TavisJohn]

And I can see the warning stickers now... "Do not use if you have a pacemaker or other heart condition." "Do not use during a lighting storm." "Please disscharge all static before you sit down and use the monitor." "Do not handle other electronic devices while using monitor, Damage or miss ID could occor." "Do not lick chair." "Do not use while wet." "Do not plug into a 220v outlet." (Yes we know it would be funy, but we can not be held responsible for any unwanted "Cooking")

Re:The Musical Chairs Problem

[HTH NE1]

I think he was being funny. ;)

Give that man an Insightful mod! ;)

Re:The Musical Chairs Problem

[luder]

...RFID tag implanted in your butt...

Why are you people so pessimist? They have no need for such invasive measures... I think they're just going to use something similar to an anal probe, for which everyone already have a proper receiver. Actually, it seems like a pretty good idea, just think about it. It's universal, not limited to humans - maybe soon we can see fish using touch screens. Wicked, eh? Some may even get extra pleasure from using it, besides the joy of using a touch screen, that is - I'm pretty sure we can expect an increase in productivity in many offices. Only God knows what else can this thing bring in the future...

Ah, modern technology, you got to love it, right? Right?