Edible User Interfaces

The BeanCounter is a low-resolution gustatory display made of six rods filled with jellybeans of different flavours. The center and bottom of each rod are sealed with electronically controlled valves. By controlling the valve positioning, the computer can dispense jellybeans at varying flow rates.

Each column of the BeanCounter is associated with a different running process, so that the user can monitor memory usage in up to six concurrent processes. Calls that allocate memory drop jellybeans from the upper chamber to the lower one. Each time a call is made to the free routine, the bottom valve is opened, and jellybeans fall into the bowls below. The volume of jellybeans dispensed corresponds to the amount of memory associated with the operation.

When dispensed, the flavoring chemicals drip down to coat the monitor with a thin liquid residue. A user can sample the dispensed flavor by touching his tongue to the computer screen. Certain combinations of flavoring agents recreate a flavor appropriate to the user’s task.

A user can sample the dispensed flavor by touching his tongue to the computer screen. Certain combinations of flavoring agents recreate a flavor appropriate to the user’s task.

Reference: Edible User Interfaces

*Urm.. now we are allowed to smell... so if the screen is displaying toilet scene, do we have to cover up our nose?