Blog Contents
The purpose of this blog is document and share knowledge of my hardware journey. The project is to create an interactive product design from the ARDUINO kit, related towards concussions (Prevention / Treatment). The blog consists of reference readings, images, videos and concise paragraphs outlining key aspects of each entry.
DESIGNING FOR QUALITY INTERACTIONS
Entry 1 - Tech Task 1
Demonstrating input and outputs using a push button switch and LED codes for CircuitLayout_01 (QUT provided). The task began by aligning each element with a reference image provided. Once complete, next installing the program and connecting the board to the laptop. While connected, uploading the set code displays variables that alter the blinking lights. The developer comments made it easy to customize the existing code. Overall the task was quite simple yet provided vital knowledge on parts and circuit layouts.
Entry 2 - Tech Task 2
Demonstrating how sensors convert physical data into electronic data. This tutorial outlines how to interpret actions using sensors for future understanding of product and user opportunities related to the design topic. Throughout this tutorial, i encountered a few code errors in regards to the sever not responding. Shital and i managed to find out that there was an error with how the program was reading the downloaded file. Error corrected by reconstructing the code in a new file and uploading. New parts needed for continuation of tasks.
Entry 3 - Tech Task 3
Focuses on sensor data processing and controlling the output behaviour. Certain parts needed for this task have not been found during the purchasing process. Alternatively, directing my attention towards new information for a concise understanding.
Readings (QUT provided)
1. Video of Interaction Design by BIll Verplank
2. Online Document of Digital Health Devices for Everyone! Digital health, 2014-4
The video outlines the interaction of a user with a design; how do you... Know, Do and Feel? (For application through concepting and iterations). The document analyses functions of multiple smart health devices, concluding with the lack of attention towards medial contexts. Simple sensors and formulas/calculations seem to provide the users with generalised useful information (intelligent pedometers).
Arduino - Back to Basics
Breadboard
Entry 4 - Tech Task (Coding)
Learning how to interpret the code by writing out simple LED programming instead of just downloading and uploading the files. Allows myself to understand errors and possible design directions. Analogue can interpret a range of current from 0-5v for example when Digital is either On or Off (1-2 = off / 3-5 = on). The reason for these two existing together is because analogue interprets a lot of environmental interference that may need to be filtered out for certain elements. Digital is more accurate, lower power, cheaper and faster processing.
LED Brightness Levels & Button Task (Similar to weeks 1-2)
This task allowed myself to gain knowledge on how PWM, Resistors and Coding variables work from experiences multiple errors. Displayed in the first image inside the grid, the Arduino was not connected correctly. The code allowed for the Arduino to allow the user to adjust the brightness of the LED from continuously pressing the button until it turns off.
Readings (QUT provided)
4. Interaction design sketchbook (Unpublished paper for CCRMA course Music 250a) - Bill Verplank 2003
Thoughts on Interaction Design, provides insights on designing for behaviour on a planet of increased connectivity and mobility and how design education has evolved over the decades. The second reading provides insight into how design and products create new forms of interactive design opportunities that are visible everywhere. Diving into the depths of how to generate ideas that come to life.
Entry 5 - Tilt Sensor
This entry was conducted in order to understand how to put a tilt sensor on the product if it was to fall off the bed for example. The code and application is simple yet could be highly applicable to the concept design.
Entry 6 - "DHT" Sensor with LED & Buzzer
The process of reading the temperature and humidity seems to be quite difficult to access the backend of the software on a MAC computer to add the code needed. Due to lack of information on MAC's and Arduino; in order to get the model working i ended up resorting to a Microsoft computer. Coding: #include "DHT.h" - linking to the folder that is needed for the unit processing.
Entry 7 - "DHT" Sensor with LED's & Buzzer Improved
Improving the previous entry by allowing the Arduino to display different colours when cold, neutral and hot. Applying this to the model will allow for the Arduino to interpret the temperature and conditions of the environment and display its status by green, yellow and red LED’s. If it reaches to temperature that is too excessive, the buzzer is activated to wake the user. In order to be able to connect to a mobile application a Arduino 101 is needed instead of the Uno.
Entry 8 - Final Arduino & Heating Pad
Entry 9 - Final Semi-Working Model
