Some of the concepts described here were taken from a comment I made in response to what Iain had to say about my idea.

Function Fingers

This basically extends on from the use of RFID tags with touch screen monitor which has the capability of wirelessly uploading data to a memory module (via bluetooth, FM radio, other wireless transfer).

As before there would be an RFID tag installed in your finger. However this time instead of just in one finger, an RFID tag would be installed in all the fingers of one hand (left/right dependant upon your preference). These tags, instead of holding transferable data, would be programmed to execute certain commands on the computer.

Also as before we could transfer data and carry files, however the storage of the files would now have to be done via another means – i.e. a chip implanted into the hand, an attached device (such as a watch) or perhaps through the use of a glove (also removing the need for the RFID tags being inserted into the fingers).

The diagram below shows how this could be done with RFID tags inserted into each finger and a main memory repository into the hand (which would require more surgery than a simple RFID tag insertion).

As you can see each finger is assigned a function, when the screen is touched with that particular function finger (FF), that function is carried out on the selected application.

A user could for instance:

1. Use FF_CLICK to click on a specific application
2. Hold FF_CLICK on the application, invoking the drag functionallity
3. Drag the finger across a piece of text to highlight it
4. Hit the highlighted text with FF_CUT to cut the text from that application
5. The cut text would then be transferred to the paste buffer as well as the memory contained in the hand
6. From here the user could use FF_PASTE to paste the data back onto the same computer or could move to another machine and paste in the same way

Roaming Data

Having a data repository held in your hand (assuming that the data held is non-degrading) allows the use of cross computer profiling. Instead of having to set up a home computer, work computer and laptop all to work and look the same way; you could carry this data around with you in your hand!

A globally roaming profile could be established which would allow you to instantly gain access to the same desktop as you have available on your other machines (dependant upon availability of applications and media of course).

Logging into a computer could be made a lot simpler:

A touch of the screen within the box on the dialog will allow you to log into the system. There is no need for passwords as they are stored within your hand, no need to remember usernames or login IDs.

This can also be used for a range of data, i.e. your e-mail details, site logins, credit card information, pretty much anything, could be held within the memory in your hand. This eradicates the need for keychains or passwords to be stored on your computer – only you need the passwords so only you have access to them! There is an obvious need for backups and such but essentially the copy in your hand is the only available copy of the information.

You take your data with you, there is no unnecessary storage of your volatile information and only you (unless via a severed hand), have access to it. Take your bank details, profile, usernames, passwords, phone numbers, addresses, anything; with you wherever you go.

Forget remembering phone numbers because landline phones will be able to read them off your hand and will allow you to select who you want to call. E-mail addresses, no problem just check your roaming address book and find the person you want to e-mail.

Ok, so maybe I’m getting a bit carried away, but you get the idea.

The most handy accessory of all, your hand,
- Chris

I have had an idea which may revolutionise computing.

The main idea is the use of an RFID tag much like was proposed for clubs and bars in order to pay for drinks and build up a profile of drinking habits, allowing people to scan their arms or hands in order to pay for/order drinks.

The idea which I have uses this technology to provide a means of cross computer interaction with no physical connection between them (i.e. network). The idea is spawned from days in the lab, sitting with my PowerBook and desktop machine both running at the same time. My desktop has an Internet connection whereas my PowerBook however does not have a connection at university, this poses a problem whilst trying to exchange data (text snipits, files, URLs, etc) between the two computers.

The RFID tag is implanted into the forefinger of the user’s left hand, then when using a special keyboard with an RFID sensor underneath the user can copy data between the computer and his hand. From here the user will be able to use the data stored in his hand with other devices.

This would allow the user to say:

1. highlight a region of text
2. hit Ctrl + Shift + C (or some other shortcut) to copy the text
3. this would transfer the data to the RFID tag
4. then using a second keyboard they would hit Ctrl + Shift + V
5. this would paste the text into the foreground process on the second computer

This would solve all those niggling problems with transferring and copying data between two physically near computers without the need for e-mail, file transfers or other means of doing so. Obviously this is constrained by file sizes and the data held in the RFID tag would degrade over time, however as this is a local, quick exchange of data, that shouldn’t matter.

Essentially you would be transferring data in a Minority Report style of interaction (without all the cool hand gestures). You would carry the data from one terminal to another.

Stick a finger up at USB sticks,
- Chris