Once we decided on the glass wall as the installation location, we started researching possible tech solutions which would be both attractive and feasible for the Kenner room. You can see the final layout of the film and phidgets that we aim to install.

Light Sensors as Input

Why Touch?

As for input methods for voting mechanics, we have two options: either using physical objects and measuring the weight change. Or detecting direct touch on the ?. The Client  chose touch as input interaction considering the extensive potentials for increasing touch points and mechanics possibilities.

Why Phidgets?

Then we researched touch technology on the glass, touch frame and ipad are required to be attached outside the room, which will cause installation issues on the glass wall.
Phidget sensors provide limited touch points but have better mobility that could be attached inside the room, cost less installation time. Our client chose phidget sensors as the input methods.

Why Light Sensors?

For phidgets that can detect hands through the glass, we explored touch sensor, IR Reflective sensor and light sensor. We had a counter prototype for the voting mechanics using sensors.

After testing in the room through the glass, we found the light sensor worked the best and have made the prototype with the conversation template we showed before.

Since the sensors are designed to be movable, we also designed a sensor container that can be attached and detached from the glass. And plan to have them 3D printed .

Projection

Why Projection?

Projection was one of the things that came up because of the already available resources, the two projectors, HDMI cables, a laptop dedicated to this project and the glass wall. 

Our main concern was whether the ambient light would hinder the projection, and what would happen when classes, events were going on. We decided to build a proof of concept that projection is a feasible solution. Our first rough prototype was with four sample film screens on a plexi glass in our project room with a projector as you can see from the first picture on the slide. It worked fine so we decided to do the same test in the Kenner room to test on the glass wall and using one of the room’s projectors. The results were encouraging and hence we decided to move forward with it. Also the client mentioned that he planned to use this installation after the classes are done, maybe after 6 pm till the first class next morning, this satisfied our other concern.

Installation Options

We presented options including touch film, sensors and physical installation combinations to our client. The options you can see up on the slide from the top left are : Projection film + sensors, Projection film + Ipad, Projection film + touch frame, Projection film + touch film to make the interaction completely touch.

Together with our client we decided on the first option, Projection film + phidget sensors.

Modifications

The status of the projection film now is that custom projection film has been ordered and we are expecting it to arrive this week in the next two days. The film has been cut up in circular shapes in sizes as specified by Lu’s design earlier(mention size). Next steps till softs is to map the images onto these cut films accurately, install these projection films onto the glass wall and keep iterating based on playtest results. 

Delivery Plans