Change of Direction...Slightly

I spoke with Richard (tutor) today, regarding my initial ideas, and as he has pointed out... The feasibility is unrealistic.. However, despite the misinterpretation of the project brief, I feel that that my initial ideas and concepts can be applied in different ways. For example the idea of working with the powerful combination that light and colour produce will still be the bases of my project. 

Thee research I have carried out has definitely given me  purpose and direction and so I will draw strongly on what I have already researched and continue with producing some project of an 'aesthetic' appeal, that deals with the emotions of people and improvement in this where possible.

Telephone.... Ubiquitous!!!

The telephone is a sound device so ubiquitous that it often gets over looked. It's a valuable tool, yet because your micro-controller can communicate using a plain old telephone, either to exchange data, or to communicate using analog sound. The increasing ubiquity of digital networks has upstaged the use of sending analog tones to communicate over telephone lines, but telephones are still more common than data connections. Maybe you want people to be able to call from the street on their cell phones, and use their touch tone keypad to change the sequence of your christmas lights in your apartment. 

There seems to be plenty on the use of phones in the physical computing world, and is a great influence for my intial concept.

the "colourBOOTH"

The ColourBOOTH is a concept again that revolves around colour as an interaction product. For this idea, which i thought could be used as a "Buzz advertising" campaign for companies such as '3'. This would consist of a phone booth, (preferably traditional for aesthetic purposes) that would change interior/exterior colour, when the keypad for the phone is used. Each number or digit could be linked to LEDS using the BX24 and some simple programming, which would make this feasible. Again the colour's would be bright, and outstanding, and because of this I think would suit '3's Brand identity perfectly. 

This was an initial concept that could be followed up. Further research into how the system would work by acting upon digit phone tones, and then converting this into light energy will need to be done, however intial research, shoes that this is highly possible.

Notes;

I like the ideas involving colour and interaction. I feel there are many possibilities here and so I will continue to pursue alternate means of usage. 

Colour Therapy would play an important role in the purpose of this project. Research would have to be done into how people react to particular colours in particular circumstances and would be applied accordingly.  

Children would certainly enjoy colour introduced into their morning journey, and I believe strongly that people could benefit from this idea.

Other Initial concepts....

Other initial concepts that began thinking of, which could employ the similar rules. For example, You could install a BX24 system, within a public elevator (@ work or in a company office) that would reflect on how many floors there are, who's going where, and how many people are in the lift, and would ac accordingly due to physical human interaction, (the pressing of the floor buttons).

There are a couple of use I can see for a system that functions in this way.

1st option;

The system would work, and it would express good creative practice, which is something more commonly seen in todays world. The system would work by a series of lights installed around the upper and lower walls of the elevator. Lets say there were  10 floors in this building, each floor would be assigned a colour. So if you are going to floor 5, the interior of the elevator, would turn drastically green.

Then, let's say another person was to get into the elevator and is going to floor 3. They would press their button also, which would be assigned to another colour, for example, Blue, and so on. The final outcome would be the Colour of the elevator, however, this would change by the mixing of channels, Hence the creativity / interactivity aspect.

2nd option;

Another use for this type of physical computing system would be to install an additional analog input into the system. Come away from the conscious interaction between human and project, and think about other forms of visually changing variable due to a measurable deciding factor. In this case, Weight is something i think could exploit the system here.. Even through practical uses.

Elevators depend on the weight not being too heavy, and each elevator has a maximum weight it can handle. The idea behind this system, would be for the analog inputs to measure the weight of the elevator (obviously increasing as more people enter) and create a gradual change in light colour to reflect this. So, the elevator could start off being BLUE, but as more and more people enter, it would cycle through the colour wheel system, or preset colour schemes through to say RED, when it is at it's maximum. 

This idea would certainly generate an interest in users, but I could also apply some practicality to an existing object. The weight detection would alert people of over crowding as well as a potential danger.

How "CityMood" could look

Here you can see how the effect would look. Selective colour through therapeutic research, will calm, excite, and expel feel good emotions though out the day. This process however due to it's size may take several circuits (systems) set up in order to comply with all functionalities. This is something I will have to research further in the coming stages of my project.

While commuting into the city one morning, it struck me how quiet and sometimes unhappy their journey can be. This led me to think, what could help improve their general mood while on these everyday journeys.. it may  be something small, big, colourful, engaging, interesting. Which is when I thought of an initial concept for a prooject called... "City-Mood"

City Mood is a concept that works around these issues, by playing on Colour and motion vibrantly included in the surrounding city. For example, Fountains such as the Trafalgar Square Fountain (or any other water feature for that matter ) could be rigged with fluorescent lights and water pumps that would therapeutically adjust and change due to particular factors, such as;

Time of year,

Day or night - (Light sensors)

Temperature (Temperature sensor)

Pedestrian movement (Motion sensors)

etc.....

The "IDEA" would be to make people feel happier due to the therapeutic colours and motions. At least this would attempt to brighton the lives of commuters, and if built on a large scale as mentioned, would be seen by several million people everyday ensuring some measure of positive outcome. People passing on the bus will see the fountain change colour due to the weather, so if it was a cold day, the temperature would be detected and so the colour of the water would turn warm reds and oranges with water displays. Where as if it were a Hot day, the system, powered by the BX24, would be programmed to express cooler blues and greens to appear refreshing!

Technically, this project would work around a simple circuit.. one that make it's decisions upon two to three factors. Light, Temp, Motion. These would all be simple inputs that could then pass information through the BX24, which would process the desired outcomes. 

I believe their is a supportive purpose to this project, and would enjoy following it up..

Initial "Brainstorming"

BRAINSTORMING;  Brainstorming is obviously key to creating new concepts and doing so has lead to me certain projects of appeal. A lot of the designs I came up with were based around using "Colour" and interactivity  that would act to according to particular analog inputs. 

Advertising was a topic that generated much of my interest. I believe there could be use for physical computing within this field by incorporating motion sensors etc to communicate brand messages in new ways.

Different input types

Here I have tried to list a few different types of inputs both analog and digital. It is exciting to imagine the creativity permitted. The main 'resistors' include; 

Light, Sound, Speech, telephone sounds, screen graphics, light sensors, pressure sensors, temperature, etc...

The problem with the BX24 is that it cannot store rich format media, such as music or video. This is where the introduction of a host computer and the connection to it's storage space comes into play. This can be very useful when access to such media is part of the functionality. The host computer can be used for a variety of things to, for example if you had a sensor, analog input set up to count the number of people who passed, you could automatically and seamlessly have this information converted into digital format, from which point the possibilities are endless. the information could be processed and stored in databases, used to create automatic reports, displayed on websites, trigger reactions or physical events.

Anyway, you get the picture... 

Analog input

Analog input

If you are after more information about a person's actions than can be recorded or supplied by a digital input, you will need an analog input. For example, going back to the cat on the mat, if you wanted to measure the weight of that cat, then you would need a component capable of detecting the variables involved. An analog sensor, like a force-sensing resistor would benefit my project by determining the cats presence and weight.

I can see how Analog inputs can be very useful in some cases. This will ultimately be a decision influenced by the project concept.

Digital Input

Digital Input

Digital inputs can be the simplest transducers. Such as switches. there are two possible states that digital input can be. On or Off. The switch is the most common example, but simple concepts can lead to creative outcomes!

For example, if you wanted say, a light to come on when your cat lies down on the door mat, the process is a simple switch circuit. When the cat lies down, the weight is applied to the switch, which may be under the mat. When the weight is applied, the switch closes, and the circuit is complete, therefore creating resulting in the event, (in this case the light coming on). However applying this process on a slightly grander scale will be interesting.

Note; Momentary = switch's that have a spring to re-adjust back to an 'Open' (non complete circuit) position. 

         Toggle switches do not have the spring and are stay in the position they were left in.

Transducers

Transduction; The conversion of one form of energy into another. Recognising which form of energy you can sense as input, and which energy you can generate as output will determine which transducers you will use, and selecting which one can be the hardest part of any physical computing project.

source; Physical computing; By Dan O'sullivan and Tom Igoe

The "BX24"

Netmedia BX24

Around 1998, 1999 Netmedia introduced a competitor to the 'BS-2'; the BX24. The BX24 is based around a more modern micro-controller, produced by Atmel, and the programming environment produced, compiled programs that ran without interpretation. As a result, it's faster in execution speed than the BS-2. In addition, the BX24 has some useful features such as eight 'analog' to 'digital' converters, a built in real time clock, and more EEPROM memory. 

note; BS-2 has been on the market for longer has a loyal user-base. The BX24 on the other hand is become more and more universal.

Programming the BX24

The BX24 is programmed using a variation of the basic programming language, based upon as mentioned before, Microsoft's 'Visual Basic'. This for one makes programming only compatible on PC's. The language is thought to be simple in relation to most, and all you need is a copy of the software along with a connector cable (BX24 - PC).

NETMEDIA PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION ON SYSTEM LIBRARY ANF LANGUAGE REFERENCE HERE

Netmedia's Basic Compiler, 'BasicX', is a program that allows you to write and edit programs for the BX24, then compiles the information onto the Breadboard. Simple, one cable action, allows a fast and most importantly a Re-editable physical programming process, that just leaves the lingo..!

BasicX programs for the BX24 are broken up into 'Modules' , Each module is simply a TXT file, every program must include at least one module, and most simple programs contain just one. Modules allow you to break your program up into separate files, for easy re-use.

Modules are then divided into 'sub routines' (alternately 'Procedures' or 'Functions'). Sub routines are blocks of code that perform specific actions, and can be called upon by other sub-programs. They are similar to handlers in Lingo. 

Source; Physical Computing; By O'sullivan and Tom Igos

So far so good...

Ok, so so far researching the basic of the projects has given me a greater understanding of how Electronics and the digital world Come together. Looking at how certain objects in the world function in greater detail has been inspiring and presents great opportunity to base a project upon. Experimenting with the elements involved creates and exciting canvas on which to work.

I am hoping that further research could lead me into exciting subjects such as a futuristic approach, or the logical approach. There seems to be endless ways to employ interactivity into the project, so I am looking forward to see where this leads!

Soldering!

The most fundamental skill needed to assemble any electronic project is Soldering. Like any skill, It takes some practice to perfect. The art is to form an electrical connection, using a molten mixture of lead and tin (solder).

Voltage; Most irons run from the mains at 240V. However, low voltage types (e,g 12V or 14V) generally form part of a soldering station and are designed to be used with a special controller made by the same manufacturer.

Wattage; Typically, they may not have a power rating of between 15-25 watts or so, which is fine for most work. A higher wattage does not mean that the iron runs hotter, it simply means that ther is more power in reserve for coping with larger joints.

"Quote"

HOW WE SEE THE COMPUTER

When asked to draw a computer, most people will draw the same elements; screen, keyboard, and a mouse. When we think "Computer", this is usually the image that comes to mind. In order to fully explore the possibilities of computing, you have to get away from that stereotype of computers. You have to think about computing rather than computers. 

COMPUTERS SHOULD TAKE WHATEVER PHYSICAL FORM SUITS OUR NEEDS FOR COMPUTING

Electricity v Electronics

The switch in the above circuit, already shows a 'sensor' to 'sense' human activity. This switch however, is the most BASIC of sensor there is. At present, it can only turn the light bulb on or off. The pattern of turning the switch on and off can convey some meaning. Observed over time, it is clear you're using the change in electrical energy to pass a message or a signal. In this case, this is a distinction between electricity and electronics.

"Think of 'electronics' as a subset of 'electrical circuits' that is used to convey information"

There are 2 basic properties of electrical energy that will be useful to you in all the circuits you build. These will help us to prevent a 'Short circuit' and/or troubleshoot problems with the circuit.

"Electricity always follows the path of less resistance"

For example, if I were to create a circuit which also had a wire connected to the ground, the electrical current would travel straight to the ground because it offers less resistance, therefore bypassing the circuit thus creating a "Short circuit"

"All the electrical energy in a circuit must be used"

ultimately this means that the components in your circuit have to consume all of the energy that you put into the circuit. Any extra energy will be converted into heat by the components if there's too much energy, leading to them overheating and stop working.

Electricity - "The Basics"

All electrical and electronic devices exploit the fact that electrons have a tendancy to go from a point of greater elecrical energy, to a point of lesser electrical energy. You provide a 'Positive' connection (of greate energy) and a 'negative' connection (of less energy) and a 'Conductor' through which the electrons flow.

Electrical energy, ALWAYS follows the path of least resistance to the ground. The better the conductor, the easier it is for the electrons to flow. The point of lowest electrical energy, is the Earth itself, which is where we get the term, Ground!

A circuit is a closed loop containing a source of electrical energy (battery) and a load (light bulb), The light bulb simply resists the flow of that electrical energy, converting it into light and heat. In a WELL DESIGNED circuit, all the electrical energy gets converted into some form of energy by devices such as a light bulb or LED etc...

The combination of CURRENT and VOLTAGE is called ELECTRICAL POWER.... or WATTAGE, and it is measured in Wattage.

The relationship is straightforward; Watts = Volts x Amps

E.g. a 120 watt light bulb would need 1 Amp @ 120 volts/2

What is Circuit Bending..? "Some notes & Quotes"

Circuit bending is a process that has been developed largely by individuals experimenting with second-hand electronics, often not associated with musical production.

Aesthetic value, immediate usability and highly randomized results are often factors in the process of successfully bending electronics.

Circuit bending typically involves dismantling a piece of consumer electronics and connecting any two circuit locations with wire, sending current from one part of the circuit into another.

Components added into the circuit can give the performer more expressiveness. These include potentiometers, photoresitors (for reaction to light), pressure sensors, etc. The simplest and one most identified with circuit bending is the body contact[1], where the performer's touch causes the circuit to change the sound. Often metal knobs, plates, screws or studs are wired to these circuit points to give an easier access to these points from the outside the case of the device.

Digital Circuits. "An Overview"

Electronic circuit that can take on only a finite number of states. That is contrasted with analog circuits, whose voltages or other quantities vary in a continuous manner. Binary (two-state) digital circuits are the most common. The two possible states of a binary circuit are represented by the binary digits, or bits, 0 and 1. The states are also commonly referred to as "on" and "off" or "high" and "low" (see information theory). The simplest forms of digital circuits are built from logic gates, the building blocks of the digital computer. Since most of the physical variables encountered in the real world, e.g., position and temperature, exist in analog form, they are represented electrically by continuously varying currents and voltages in analog circuits. To make digital and analog circuits compatible special converters are used—either analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog depending on the direction of information flow. Digital circuits simulate continuous functions with strings of bits; the more bits that are used, the more accurately the continuous signal can be represented. For example, if 16 bits are used to represent a varying voltage, the signal can be assigned one of more than 65,000 different values. Digital circuits are more immune to noise than analog circuits, and digital signals can be stored and duplicated without degradation (see compact disc). Digital circuits can often manipulate signals more effectively—and less expensively—than analog circuits. Those reasons helped digital systems to succeed over all analog contenders for proposed high-definition television in the United States.


The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright© 2004, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V.

week 1

Intro to;

Electronics,
Circuit-Bending,
Basic electronics
Soldering,

BEGIN JOURNAL LOGS!

Project Launch!

Welcome to My Project Journal..

This will be the focal point of the back-bone of the project. Here I aim to log my research and influences regularly and in the process.. hope to generate discussion on relevant topics. I will use this 'space' to express the direction of my project over time, which I hope to draw from later in the module.