MIDS: micro input devices system using MEMS sensors

The evolution of human-to-computer input devices lags far behind the evolution of processing power. In this paper, we present work on merging MEMS force sensors and existing wireless technologies to develop a novel multifunctional interface input system, the Micro Input Devices System (MIDS), which could potentially replace the mouse, the pen, and the keyboard as input devices to the computer. Moreover, initial experimental results indicate that further exploration of this technology could eventually produce a new control-input device for grasping robotic manipulators. We have thus far developed a prototype MIDS that consists of two MIDS rings, each packaged with commercial MEMS acceleration sensors to sense multi-axes motion, and a MIDS wrist watch that communicates with the rings and transmits data wirelessly to interface with a CPU. The system has been demonstrated to perform click and drawing motions successfully. A self-calibration method was also developed to resolve ambiguities in sensed motion for the MEMS sensors.