Sensacell

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 an output. The tiles are designed to fit within a 6” square grid,[1] 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 150mm.

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.

Examples in current use include: marketing and display kiosks;[2] interactive museum exhibits;[3] exercise gaming (exergaming); and user-reactive furniture, interactive architectural and interior design installations; multimedia information displays.

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

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