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Re: Electromyography redux

Christopher Allen <> writes:
> Sorry to bring this subject up again, but I haven't made up my mind and
> would like to know what people's thoughts are on electromyography as text
> input. Is it a stupid idea and a waste of time researching and developing
> since we already have the Twiddler? Or can it fill important niches that
> the Twiddler misses, like: ultra-secret text input; both-hands-free input;
> and input for Repetitive Motion Disorder victims (or can the Twiddler be
> used by RMD victims? feedback on this would be appreciated as well).

The potential bandwidth of single motor unit work is better than
nearly any other possible input technique.

Most people can vary the firing rate of an individual motor neuron
between 5pps and 20pps to an accuracy of about 1pps.  They can
realistically change the rate a couple times per second.  So that's
about 30 bits per second from just one SMU.  A single set of
electrodes can pick up perhaps half a dozen SMU's, so we're up to 180
bits per second, or about 220 WPM from a single set of electrodes.
The total number of SMU's close enough to the surface for training is
well into the hundreds....
-- 
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   If you remember nothing else:           NIC Handle: LY
   GPL - "Just give source a chance."

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