ratchet up

デル社が人の気持を読み取る技術を開発しました。この技術を利用することで，PCに自分の気持ちを伝えることができます。この技術の実用例として，例えばPC上で仕事をしていて，疲れてきた時にコンピューターが反応し，休みを促すなどの応用が可能になるとありました。記事の中で気になった単語は"ratchet up"です。『Wisdom英和辞典第三版（三省堂）』によると「（ものを）を徐々に上げる[増す]という意味がありました。ODでは，"Cause something to rise (or fall) as a step in what is perceived as an irreversible process"とあります。ラチェットは，一方向にのみ回転する歯車という意味もあります。この技術がPCゲームにも応用でき，プレイヤーがゲーム中に退屈であると感じたら，ゲームの難易度を上げるなどが自動的に行えることが書かれております。(Ume)

Dell develops mood-reading tech for the office and play

He said a team of two researchers were working with headsets made by Neurosky and other manufacturers - which cost between £60 to £120 - to see if they could be used to give a reliable indication of whether the wearer was happy, sad, bored or frustrated.

"If I can sense the user is working hard on a task, an intuitive computer system might then reduce distractions, such as allowing incoming phone calls to go directly to voicemail and not letting the user be disturbed," he suggested.

"Similarly, if they've been concentrating [for] a long time, maybe it could suggest a break."

He added that the kit could also be adapted for gamers - a market Dell already targets with its Alienware PCs.

"If someone is playing a game and it senses they are bored, it could ratchet up the level of challenge automatically. If it senses they are frustrated, maybe it's time to offer them a clue about how to proceed."

2012/11/04日号のasahiweeklyでUG先生が取り上げておられます。