ScatterWatch: subtle notifications via indirect illumination scattered in the skin

Abstract

With the increasing popularity of smartwatches over the last years, there has been a substantial interest in novel input methods for such small devices. However, feedback modalities for smartwatches have not seen the same level of interest. This is surprising, as one of the primary function of smartwatches is their use for notifications. It is the interrupting nature of current notifications on smartwatches that has also drawn some of the more critical responses to them. Here, we present a subtle notification mechanism for smartwatches that uses light scattering in a wearer's skin as a feedback modality. This does not disrupt the wearer in the same way as vibration feedback and also connects more naturally with the user's body.