Intelligent human-machine interface and method which can be carried out using same

A method for detecting a deformation of a surface of a skin area of an extremity of a human or animal body and mapping the detected deformation to at least one of a configuration of the extremity, a temporal change in the configuration and a force of the temporal change, the method comprising:

• arranging a plurality of magnetic or magnetizable elements on or close to the surface of the skin area, such that the plurality of magnetic or magnetizable elements is able to follow a deformation of the surface of the skin area,
• arranging a plurality of potential-measuring surface electrodes such that the potential-measuring surface electrodes come into direct contact with the surface of the skin area,
• determining at least one measurable change, occurring as a result of a deformation of the surface of the skin area, of a magnetic signature formed by magnetic fields of a totality of the plurality of magnetic or magnetizable elements by a detection device for measuring the magnetic signature,
• recording measurement signals generated at a specific point in time by a totality of the plurality of potential-measuring surface electrodes in order to obtain at least one electric signature that changes in dependence on muscle activity causing deformation of the surface of the skin area, and
• executing an algorithm for mapping the determined at least one measurable change of the magnetic signature and the obtained at least one electric signature to the at least one of a configuration of the extremity, the temporal change in the configuration and the force of the temporal change.