Google Developing Electronic Skin Tattoo as Microphone and Lie Detector

Google has reportedly filed a patent for developing an electronic skin tattoo that can be used as a microphone and a lie detector.

According to Mashable, Google's Motorola Mobility filed an application in the U.S Patent Office last week for a method of pairing tattoos with mobile devices.

It is explained in the patent, titled "Coupling an Electronic Skin Tattoo to a Mobile Communication Device," that the skin graffiti will be embedded on the user's throat area and will serve as a microphone. They chose to put it on the neck because it is close to our mouth, thus, producing a clearer conversation with less background noise.

The tattoo will be paired with a mobile device and through its outfitted transceiver; it will go well with wireless communication. It will also have a signal processor that includes circuitry to allow users to give voice commands without the need of pressing the talk button.

According to the detailed description section of the patent, "Optionally, the electronic skin tattoo 200 can further include a galvanic skin response detector to detect skin resistance of a user. It is contemplated that a user that may be nervous or engaging in speaking falsehoods may exhibit different galvanic skin response than a more confident, truth telling individual."

The proposed device will be powered by rechargeable battery and "configured to receive energizing signals from external sources, including a personal area network employing NFC, Bluetooth.RTM., or Zigbee.RTM. technology." Furthermore, it can also get power from a solar panel technology, electro-mechanical technology, nanotechnology, or capacitive technology.

However, the patent did not say how the device would be applied, though it was mentioned that it could "be embedded into a collar or band that would be worn around the throat." Those who don't like inking any part of their body may opt for the collar or band.

Google's Mobile Mobility has declined to give comments about the patent filing.