Knot(e)

Rope as sound and visual interface for iPhone

knot (e) is a custom built device that offers a new way of using objects that we connect to our mobile devices. The prototypes, shown in the form ropes, harness themselves to revisit the new node as input data. As an extension of a conventional listening device, it allows the user to generate visual and sound compositions by the simple action of “bending the cable”.

The intersection of the rope amplifies the signal. Conversely, the absence of knots and curves restores the application to its original position. Each prototype has its own forms, colours, atmospheres and sound effects. They are polyester sheet halyards from wich the core has been replaced with an empty silicon tube. They are attached with two wood cylinder and custom plugs with rubber rings to the extremities. Each plug are prepared to receive specific electronic components and are easily detachable. They can be connected to one another for more complex compositions or used one at the time.

A series of Five Flex Sensors attached along the tube are connected to a femtoduino board. The board communicate with the iphone trough a softModem by hiJack the audio jack. The audio Circuit is separate in two ports. The first go directly to a 3.5mm audio female jack and the second (Microphone) allows iPhone communication. Everything is connected to a 240 Mah polymer battery, a switch and a power supply.Software is managed by openFrameworks, IOS Objective-C and PureData. The openFrameworks part for conceptualize the application. The objective-C for the GUI and the audio softModem analysis. Finally, PureData for playing audio loops, generate effects and return audio flux informations. This system might work also with the personal iPod library class, which Matthieu says was not an interesting option to explore.