1. STREAM SURFER
The next wave in digital music
Stream Surfer is a revolution in the way digital music is stored, received, and listened to. Using a cloud computing
model, wireless technology, and implanted audio output devices, Stream Surfer provides users with maximum audio
quality and discrete listening, regardless of the users ambient environment, and without the need for the user to carry
a cumbersome device (or any device at all). Details about the individual components of the system are listed on the
following page. Noteworthy points about the system in general are:
• Focus on Streaming Audio - Today’s music players require users to purchase (or otherwise acquire) MP3 files,
and then load them onto their devices. This means that users have to constantly search through their collection of
audio files for something they want to listen to, and let’s face it, listening to the same things over and over again
get’s pretty boring. Stream Surfer takes a different approach, providing users with easy access to the hundreds of
thousands of the live audio streams available over the internet. Much like the radio stations of yesteryear, these
audio streams allow users to get a constantly changing flow of music, in any musical genre imaginable.
• Cloud Computing - The Stream Surfer system has no user-accessible data storage. Instead, all audio content is
obtained from the internet, which the system is permanently connected to via wireless technology. While the focus
of the Stream Surfer system is on streaming audio, users are also able to store audio files on the Stream Surfer
servers, which can then be accessed by the Stream Surfer system at any time.
• No Environmental Limitations - The Stream Surfer system uses a variation of existing cochlear implant
technology, to provide audio to the user from inside the ear. This means that ambient noise does not interfere with
audio from the system, and audio from the Stream Surfer system is never leaked into the ambient environment.
As a result, users can listen to their music in very noisy environments, very quiet environments, or anywhere in
between, without worrying about losing audio quality, or disturbing those around them. The internal nature of the
Stream Surfer implants, and the fact that the single external component (the bracelet) is 100% waterproof, also
means that the system can be used in dirty or wet environments, and even under water.
• No Bulky Device - Existing MP3 players are fine for sitting in an office, listening to music. Limited physical activity
is even tolerable, if you don’t mind strapping some ill-fitting contraption to your arm, and listening to the cables
from your earbuds slap against your body as you move. However, the Stream Surfer system provides a more
elegant solution. Since the audio output devices are implanted into the head, there are no cables to worry about,
or painful earbuds to deal with. The single external component of the system is a tiny bracelet, which projects the
user interface onto the user’s hand (thereby eliminating the need for a screen, which allows the bracelet to be
extremely small).
HCI Prototype Production | Design Challenge #3 | Gavin Larson | November 2, 2010

2. STREAM SURFER
The next wave in digital music
A. Processing Center for the Implanted Cochlear
Stimulator. Audio signals are received wirelessly from
the bracelet, and then transmited to the electrode array
surrounding the cochlea. Power for the implant is also
collected and stored here. B
B. Electrode Array. The electrode array surrounds the
cochlea in the inner ear. Audio signals are relayed
to the cochlea through complex patterns of electrical
stimulation.
A
C. Stream Surfer bracelet. This is the where the brains of the
system are located. The bracelet is permanently connected
to the internet via cellular/wireless technology, which allows
it to connect to audio streams from any location. It wirelessly
trasmits audio signals to the cochlear implant.
C
D. Micro Projector. The user interface is projected from here to
the users hand. The projector is activated by the expansion of
the tendons in the wrist. When a user opens their hand, the UI
is automatically displayed.
E
E. Micro Camera. The users interaction with the UI is captured
D by the camera, which is also activated by the expansion of the
tendons in the wrist.
F
F. Projected User Interface. The UI provides
the means to easily browse or search
audio streams available over the internet,
without leaving the Stream Surfer interface.
Screens/controls are included for adjusting
audio settings, searching for audio streams,
browsing audio streams, accessing saved
music located on the Stream Surfer server,
etc. Detailed information about the currently
playing stream is also displayed.
HCI Prototype Production | Design Challenge #3 | Gavin Larson | November 2, 2010