For example, dream-typing:

http://blag.xkcd.com/2007/05/28/tools-for-dream-typing/

I'm wondering if these types of connections to the outside world while dreaming are proven or even possible, at least without waking yourself up trying to type on a keyboard in RL, or even possibly drawing on a tablet, etc.

I'm not sure if there's any official (scientific) term for this. I haven't come across anything such as attempts or research so far. Has anyone else?

I would love to be able to access real life live from a dream. This could be useful in finding out the lengths of certain dreams, or even directly translating ideas, you know in case I got some EUREKA during a dream that I wanted to write down immediately.

One thing I've wanted to try is filming myself during my sleep, but this would be much more awesomer