Use case: Scratching an itch

Primary Actors: Itchy(Alice), Scratchor(Bob)

Scope: 2 (or more) individuals in physical proximity sharing the goal of itch-relief in one party, by localised application of finger-based epidermal abrasion by the other.

Story: Alice has an itchy back, she requests that Bob scratches it and Bob agrees. They enter into an iterative feedback loop where Bob's scratching is applied to an area of Alice's back and Alice directs Bob using a mixed protocol of verbal and physical cues as to the relative location of the itch and its subsequent relief.
Often, the perceived location of the itch will develop during the scratching process and migrate to one or more sites on Alice's back.

Problem Statement: The verbal nature of the feedback protocol requires developing a shared simulacrum of Alice's physical sensation. The complexity of providing this information in a series of temporally separated commands can provide challenges;
"No, *my* left!"
"Up a bit, down a bit, no too far!"
"Yeah, just there! No! You missed a bit!"
Furthermore, such verbal communication requires a suitable atmosphere in which to function - underwater environments are, for example excluded from hosting such interpersonal interactions.

Solution: A small chip is inserted into Alice's brain at birth and hooked into the part of the brain onto which is mapped the sensory signals from her skin.
At the same time, she also receives 4 referencing tattoos, one at the nape of the neck, another two over left and right shoulder-blades, and a final one over the n'th vertebrae at the base of the spine.
A camera is pointed at Alice's back, and machine-vision software run to pick up the reference points. Initial calibration might be applied to ensure the software has Alice "the right way up".
The chip sends this information out to a device that projects a colour-map directly onto Alice's back highlighting (in red for example) the particularly itchy bits.
Bob simply scratches at the locations identified by the device in harmonious silence (not withstanding Alice's contented vocalisations).
-- zen_tom, Jan 15 2013

Alice's Mom and Bob's Significant Predecessor http://media.rd.com...hers-t-shirt-af.jpg
Chindogu, prior art, simpler, batteries not included, brain connections or activity not required [lurch, Jan 16 2013]

The analogue version http://www.intro-sp...works/scratcher.htm
The itcher uses another map to direct the scratcher. [TomP, Jan 18 2013]

I can think of no simpler solution to this important non-problem [+]
-- hippo, Jan 15 2013


I had envisioned a map showing the major itch points of the human body... but this will do [+]
-- FlyingToaster, Jan 15 2013


+, What Toaster said.
-- blissmiss, Jan 15 2013


...so then you could play itch/scratch battleships: you have an itch (equating to a battleship) and your designated scratcher wins points for guessing the coordinates.
-- hippo, Jan 15 2013


in brain at birth// [-] Doesn't any body have areal possible Idea anymore. I'm so bummed
-- Brian the Painter, Jan 16 2013


I use a system of "ribs"... one rib up; two left.

Works well.
-- UnaBubba, Jan 16 2013


I prefer [lurch]'s link's approach. -
-- csea, Jan 16 2013


//I prefer [lurch]'s ... approach// It's a neat practical solution, I agree - but does it share the imagary (colourmaps projected onto beautiful ladies) from the intro sequences of the Bond films? I think not.
-- zen_tom, Jan 16 2013


[+] I'm with [zen] on this one. Why use a simple solution when you can use a complex, impractical, potentially crippling, life-threatening and expensive solution?
-- PauloSargaco, Jan 17 2013


Given my experience with surgical scars, my guess is the most commonly itchy area will be the point where the the incision was made to implant the chip.
-- lurch, Jan 17 2013


I`ll hope that someone itch my,
I`ll hope that someone scritch my,
massage in a bio-tell, yeah
massage in a bio-tell, whoa-oa
Woke cricked this morning...
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jan 18 2013


Chuck hacks Alice's chip and re-positions the location coordinates. Alice becomes frustrated with Bob's attempts to satisfy her, and goes out with Chuck, who is also a KGB spy.
-- RayfordSteele, Jan 18 2013



random, halfbakery