Nokia interface patent fits like an AR-enhancing glove

Okay, you know the drill by now: just because it's in a patent doesn't mean it's happening anytime soon, if ever. With that said, we'd love to see what Nokia had in mind when they concocted this one. As Unwired View recently unearthed, the Finnish phone maker has drawn up a design doc / patent application for comfortable, stretchable material that fits over your skin and is used for device interaction. Gestures and stretches are computed and signaled into nearby computers, phones, or interestingly enough "near-eye displays" -- sounds like we're getting into a bit of virtual / augmented reality territory here -- and they are also tailored to provide feedback via vibration. Again, don't hold your breath on seeing this come to fruition any point in the near (or even long) future, but still, we know what you're thinking: Nokia's gonna have to think of a ton of kooky color descriptions to accentuate any future lineup of input wristbands / fingerbands.

[Via Pocket-lint]

[Wolfticket @ Jul 11th 2009 10:47AM]

Welcome to the world of tomorrow...

[Nikesh @ Jul 12th 2009 6:10PM]

I am so sick of people getting patents with no actual design, engineering or prototyping to back them up. How is this any different from a doodle on a napkin? I guess any time I draw any two objects, say a car and a pair of sunglasses, I should draw a line or lightning bolt between the two so that when someone comes up with an awesome invention like a motion tracking infrared camera system for the car, I can claim that I "invented" it years ago.

[Wwhat @ Jul 11th 2009 11:00AM]

These patents lately are like a 1920's comedy publication.

[kingofwale @ Jul 11th 2009 11:01AM]

Minority Report is crying copy-infringement.

[Zinger314 @ Jul 11th 2009 11:11AM]

I love the Power Glove. It's so bad.

[Matt Ward @ Jul 11th 2009 11:17AM]

As an AR researcher, we have been working with this kind of technology for years, exploring all kinds of new navigation techniques in HUD environments (Heads Up Display). Touching fingers to the thumb to navigate is not something new at all. I am shocked it is coming to a patent now. On a final note, that bracelet thing looks dumb. I think the future may be in small wrist mounted computers that look like watches (I think we can actually track finger movements from the wrist, put your fingers on the bottom of your wrist and feel). No one wants some band coming up onto their hand like that...

[damiaking @ Jul 11th 2009 11:40AM]

ahh i hate engadget on weekends no good news i cant wait for monday :)

[Richard Berkin @ Jul 11th 2009 11:40AM]

WOW. Those glasses are so tacky that they actually come with the hoop earings built-in.

[andykronser @ Jul 11th 2009 1:14PM]

I don't know about this?

[Juan Luis @ Jul 11th 2009 1:35PM]

It is actually possible with the use of nanotechnology. This looks similar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX-gTobCJHs

[mrD @ Jul 11th 2009 5:23PM]

wasnt there a concept video for this type of thing nokia did about 1-2 years ago?,i remember it had a glove that connected to a mobile in it?

[Trevor @ Jul 11th 2009 6:46PM]

It would be cool if those displays are virtual retinal displays. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_retinal_display

[Colonel Panic @ Jul 11th 2009 7:23PM]

Wow, I did not know Nokia bought Michael Jackson's bedazzled glove.

/sarcasm

[dataStorm @ Jul 11th 2009 11:03PM]

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[Ecchin @ Jul 12th 2009 8:26AM]

Have any of you ever watched an anime called "Denno Coil"? The story is kinda lame, but it portraits a (near) future society where kids wear glasses that allow them to see, lets say "alternative views" of any objects. Imagine looking at a store's closed door and reading that stores website with your glasses, but pressing a virtual button on the door. I get too excited to hear this xP