Black-boxing the user: internet protocol over xylophone players (IPoXP)

TL;DR

This paper presents IPoXP, a novel internet protocol that uses human-performed xylophone strikes via Arduino interfaces to facilitate computer-to-computer communication, effectively turning humans into network interfaces.

Contribution

It introduces a new protocol that leverages human actions as a communication medium, reversing traditional human-computer interaction paradigms.

Findings

Demonstrates feasibility of human-performed data transmission

Shows potential for novel human-in-the-loop networking applications

Highlights challenges and advantages of xylophone-based communication

Abstract

We introduce IP over Xylophone Players (IPoXP), a novel Internet protocol between two computers using xylophone-based Arduino interfaces. In our implementation, human operators are situated within the lowest layer of the network, transmitting data between computers by striking designated keys. We discuss how IPoXP inverts the traditional mode of human-computer interaction, with a computer using the human as an interface to communicate with another computer.