Interaction project

Mike Blow

Mike spoke to the class on Monday 26th November about Physical Computing, examples like museum exhibits i.e. walking towards something and voice starts. and walking into a room and saying lights which come on.

We talked about Affordance which is an offered way of using something e.g. a handle to pick up a cup. Ergonomics designing things for us to interact with. Multi-touch like Tenon-on, Jazz Mutant, Graphic tablets, Microphones, remotes etc. also links to the way we play the guitar for example.

We looked at sensors like switches to pressure pad. Certain sensor names may include: Proximity that tells you where something is, PIR like a security sensor. Light sensors for example street lamps. Sound sensors in microphones, hydrophones (underwater), accelerometers, vibration. Infrasound this is used in haunted houses.

Analog and Digital input and output

• Analog Signal, continuously varying in level, non-discrete e.g. photoresistor.
• Digital Signal, only two levels, discrete e.e. switch

Output

Some devices can be controlled directly from the output board others like motors need circuits. Anything can be controlled electrically like LED's, lights, buzzers, sounds, smells, air, playback and household appliances.