The Quality of Life Technology Center (QoLT) spun off its first company Lean&Zoom LLC to sell its namesake product that allows computer users to adjust screen magnification by simply leaning toward or away from their display.
Lean&Zoom magnifies on-screen content in response to a user leaning forward. The zoom is directly proportional to the extent of the lean – the greater the lean, the greater the magnification. The zoom is exaggerated with a lean; for example, a 5º lean with Lean&Zoom achieves the same visual enlargement as a 15º lean. This alleviates dramatic leaning while making items more readable. When zoomed in, the mouse is used to pan around the screen. Lean&Zoom leverages users’ existing lean habits without requiring a modification to the user interface.
This new technology created by Carnegie Mellon University Ph.D candidate, Chris Harrison, will enable users to sit comfortably at their computers and have the screen automatically adjust to their visual needs. Beneficial to all age groups, Lean&Zoom wants to change the way users physically interact with their computers forever.
To see a video demonstration go to www.leanandzoomllc.com.
Lean&Zoom is developing solutions based upon a revolutionary platform for utilizing an as of yet unused command input mode for electronic devices, the built-in camera. The company will be building on the initial interest with additional interactions for the computer, and is already planning a release for the Android phone with a strategic Japanese partner in April 2011. Other areas of development are web site interactions and increasing work flow efficiencies. It is the first commercially available product from the QoLT Foundry within Carnegie Mellon University.