Rubbinput: An Interaction Technique for Wet Environments Utilizing Squeak Sounds Caused by Finger-Rubbing

Rubbinput, a user interface for wet environments, utilizes the squeaky sounds made when rubbing a smooth, wet surface with fingers. Rubbinput analyzes squeaks, interpreting “duration time”, “reciprocating motions”, and “number of rubbing fingers”, converting them to user interface events. Harmonic structures of squeak caused by each finger are utilized to detect events with low latency. In this paper, we describe Rubbinput use cases and analyze user interface detection processes and performance. Specific applications and uses accompanied by user evaluations, are also described.