A unified toolkit for accessing human interface devices in pure data and Max/MSP

Abstract

In this paper we discuss our progress on the HID toolkit, a collection of software modules for the Pure Data and Max/MSP programming environments that provide unified, user-friendly and cross-platform access to human interface devices (HIDs) such as joysticks, digitizer tablets, and stomp-pads. These HIDs are ubiquitous, inexpensive and capable of sensing a wide range of human gesture, making them appealing interfaces for interactive media control. However, it is difficult to utilize many of these devices for custom-made applications, particularly for novices. The modules we discuss in this paper are [hidio] 1, which handles incoming and outgoing data between a patch and a HID, and [input_noticer], which monitors HID plug/unplug events. The goal in creating these modules is to preserve maximal flexibility in accessing the input and output capabilities of HIDs, in a manner that is approachable for both sophisticated and beginning designers. This paper documents our design notes and implementation considerations, current progress, and ideas for future extensions to the HID toolkit.