Google May Stick a Patent on Your Neck

Google May Stick a Patent on Your Neck

What if your cellphone’s microphone was tattooed on your neck? Better yet, what if it was a lie detector as well?

Reducing the mechanical relationship between humans and technology has been a prevalent theme among players in the high-tech industry.

Google’s Motorola Mobility filed a patent for an electronic skin tattoo, or sticker. Essentially, this patent describes a noise-canceling, hand-free microphone for your cellphone that sticks on your throat.

The patented tattoo reduces acoustic noise, and connects to a communication device, wirelessly. This claimed invention could improve communication, especially in loud areas or in emergency situations.

But there is more. This electronic skin tattoo can carry a lie detector. The patent states that this temporary tattoo could “include a galvanic skin response detector.” If the user is “speaking falsehoods,” the tattoo can detect skin response caused by nervousness.

A spokesperson for Google’s Motorola Mobility declined to comment about the patent.

Earlier this year, Regina Dugan, senior VP at Google’s Motorola Mobility, mentioned some of its project goals. She said their division was working on attaching a password authentication to the skin.

According to the patent, this claimed invention’s system will have an embedded microphone, technology that enables wireless communication with mobile devices and a power supply.

What does Google have in store for their next product? A complete hand-free phone? And a lie detector?