/* Google analytics tracker */ John the Revelator: Combination water park, musical instrument, and karaoke machine

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Combination water park, musical instrument, and karaoke machine

I have a patent in front of me: US patent 7,551,161. The title is "Fluid user interface such as immersive multimediator or input/output device with one or more spray jets". Now, I'm not a patent attorney, and I'm not really sure what this all means, but the closest I can come is that this is a combination water park, musical instrument, and karaoke machine. Thank god one has finally been invented!

Basically, the invention is a thing with a bunch of nozzles that spit streams of water into the air. The user (who wishes to be interfaced) puts his or her hands into the stream. Sensors can tell which streams are being touched. To quote the patent "In this way a small child could choreograph the Bellagio fountains by playing in a smaller fountain."

The patent goes on
Such a large and expansive show presented from an individual could function much like a karaoke machine, in the manner in which an individual person of ordinary talent could "give" an excellent and dramatic show or performance. To the extent that karaoke is defined as a "method for the intoxicated to embarrass themselves" (Wikipedia.org online encyclopedia) playing in the fountains can further the fear of singing in public with the added fear of being seen in a bathing suit (or underwear) in public. In this sense, interactive waterplay performance spaces could be installed in "watering holes" and other drinking establishments like restaurants, lounges, hotels, and bars. 


Well... harumph!  There was no need to get nasty about it!

No comments: