Living Architecture-FA06-Columbia

yellow test

blue test

first prototypes exploring arduino and flexinol capabilities

multiplying the arduino output and studying movements for output

the final assembly of the geotmetry output board. the lever arms move behind the assembled paper geometry, which in turn, are affected.

camera capture inspiration: Daniel Rozin, fragmented mirrors











1. multiple inputs= multiple cases for deformation











2. webcam/processing integration allows for a library of trigger combinations











2. arduino w/ cannibalised breadboard











3. a single full scale cell prototype











4. a single prototype 2











5. 9-square partition/screen (one deformation case)



Arduino Code

Processing Code





team members: John Brockway, Ingrid Campo-Ruiz, Chris Booth, Eduardo Mcintosh, Nefeli Chatzimina

Testing response of metal detector from side angle

Testing response of metal detector six inches above railing

Columbia University Living Architecture Fall 2006

Columbia University Living Architecture Fall 2006

Columbia University Living Architecture class.

individual cells and their aggregation

Living Architecture Fall 2006

john/eduardo/nefeli/chris/ingrid

// Input component
1.webcam feed
2.catalogue of physical distractions
-library (sneezing scratching coughing twirling)
-domestic (pink bathrobe, fidgety baby, voyeuristic signaling)
-institutional (pathological actions)


// Processing component
Webcam library in Processing, watching for a catalogue of triggered motion
Signal cases sent to Arduino environment

// Output component
arduino/flexinol
Sensitivity of motion read on neutral backdrop (bluescreen allegory)
Active enhancement of motion cases results in matching/evolving deformations.
Output of ambient noise (crackling) embedded in material

// Scale of a single "module”
scale of a human hand, repeated to personal partition scale

// Number of modules you will create
2D grid of cells, repeated to a goal of 4*6.
This represents one active partition at full scale

// Siting (vertical, horizontal, indoor, outdoor, in a quiet environment, etc.)
The site is really a condition; the condition is about sensitivity to and for occupancy.
One site is the library, where the misuse of research space is transmitted and amplified to rectify disruptive behavior. Another site is in the home in an east-facing room, where a baby’s crib could modulate sunlight in response to the fidgety behavior of the disturbed child. Another is in the mental institution, where the unacceptable pathological motions of a specific patient triggers sound and motion as a subtle alarm.

// The "twist" of the project
the twist is in the evolving output from multiple input cases. For instance, the kinetic response is different when a library user is twirling his pen, vs. when he scratches his head.

// Vendors of all materials you will have to buy
the hardware and software is in place; main considerations are materiality. Plastics have so far been the most successful, and can be found in all shapes and sizes on canal st.

// List of technical issues and tests you will have to conduct in the next five weeks
sectional reading; problem of planar arrangement. We’ll need to fine-tune the relationship of depth (the camera watches a user from some distance, who is then some distance in front of the plane of deformation)
Defining threshold for successive movement will also be an issue
A. is there a 1 to 1 relationship between motion and motion, where a 3 second movement results in three seconds of reaction?
B. is there an evolving behavior which updates and compounds, where the first action results in an equal action, and a second action results in a doubling of reaction?
1 = 1
2 = 3
3 = 7
4 = 15
n = n(1)=n(2)=n(3)=n(4)=n(n)

Input component
motion sensor

Processing component
arduino processor and software

Output component
super bright LED

Scale of a single "module"
contents will fall with in an 8” cube area. Final form TBD

Number of modules you will create
1-3 prototype, maybe

Siting (vertical, horizontal, indoor, outdoor, in a quiet environment, etc.)
indoor outdoor application

Twist
creating awareness by interactive way finding

Vendors
parallax / motion sensor
super bright LED
Arduino processor

List of technical issues
Sensor sensitivity
Investigation of time analysis and its relation to LED intensity

Our project, with less- and more-desperate alternates:

Project: GSAPP students who respond to our posters will be able, with the wave of a tag on the Avery 3 ½ floor, to bring up their portfolio images (or whatever images they’re like) on the floor’s flat-screen monitor, erasing the previous waver’s image.

Alternate L: The three of us, with a few lucky others, will have either portfolio images or simply text notes (“evan wuz here”) on the terrace widescreen, like above but more limited.

Alternate M: The three of us, with anyone who owes us favors, will set up the same game described above, but on a studio computer, with the rfid reader attached to a studio desk-wall, so that the reader could be tripped from either side of the wall.

Twist / Interesting:
The project exploits the outstanding characteristics of rfids as sensors: their unique identification and their subtlety, while still working within the project’s financial and programmatic limits (short range, passive tags, single reader). The project inverts the typical use of the rifd as a covert tool by which institutions track individuals or items, converting them to a tool by which individuals overtly and competitively assert their identities.


Input: Phidgets RFID reader

Processing: Flash script

Single module: One computer & screen, one rfid reader, multiple rfid tags

Number of final modules: One, with multiple tags

Vendors: The only potential additional products are rfid tags from phidgets.com. Tags cost $1-$3 each, and a prior delivery took four days.

Siting: Indoors. The possibility of using the terrace computer and monitor has been confirmed, but the details haven’t been worked out.

Our primary challenge will be to get Flash to recognize the rfid reader's output. Given our experience with flash, we expect the coding to be, while not light, relatively managable and predictable.

COMPONENTS:

Input: Metal Actuator Tag
Processing: Metal Detector (Coils) and electronic circuit processing board
Output: L.E.D. or single flexinol wire (swappable with many simple output components)


SYSTEM:

Modules:
The system has two major components—the metal detector and the metal actuator tag. Each component is an autonomous parasite-like element that is small, versatile, and can be applied to a variety of architectural surfaces. The modules are meant to be a low-tech alternative to RFID sensors or any responsive information giving sensor system.

Site:
The system is not site specific. As a “parasite” system, the components can be attached to or become part of many architectural surfaces. Examples of site situations could include:
Retail stores—Tracking sales or items
Bars/Lounges—Interactive environments
Libraries—Tracking books
Museum Exhibits—Counting people or creating responsive exhibits


The “Twist”:
The metal detector component is not used to detect the presence of random metal in or on people and things, but is used to “read” the presence of pre-specified objects or people marked with a specific actuator. In this scenario, the two “parasites” (the metal detector and the metal actuator tag) work as a controlled system and can be used for a variety of functional and/or entertaining purposes in a number of architectural conditions (rather than being left to random and unspecified triggering of the system). The human uses the system as an interactive environment for their specific needs, therefore redefining the negative connotation of metal detectors.

Vendors:
Metal Detector (Dismantled)—RadioShack
Metal Detector Casing—Materials to be determined
Various Metals—Art supply stores

Technical Issues and Tests:
Determine one or more metal types to which the metal detector can be specific so as to not register random nearby metals.
Design casing for metal detector coils and processing board.
Design metal actuators to be cheap, disposable, small, and convenient.
Test “parasites” at multiple locations and for multiple uses.
Refine details and produce extra modules.

+ Input component
motion sensor.

+ Processing component
basic stamp.

+ Output component
flexinaol wire.

+ Scale of a single "module" if you have one
pendant light fixture.

+ Number of modules you will create
1 prototype.

+ Siting (vertical, horizontal, indoor, outdoor, in a quiet environment, etc.)
indoor hanging from ceiling.

+ The "twist" of the project
using minimum movement create maximum enviornmental change throught light/shadow.

+ Vendors of all materials you will have to buy
Paper
parallax / motion Sensor.
dynalloy / flexinol.

+ List of technical issues and tests you will have to conduct in the
next five weeks
the tension of the flexinal wire.
how to control the open and close of the tube.

We reconsider the problems that came to us during the process. One of the biggest one is the friction of material. We choose plastic tubes to be our cells but they do not perform as we thought. They couldn't form a effective back and force movement. The original idea is to use the minimum input to achieve maximum output. We disign some movement which motivated by just a few cells.

Another big issue is the tension oh the flexinol wire. We couldn't come out a way to maintain the tension. Once it lose the tension, it will become less effective, even zero offset.

Now we adjust a little since one of us drop this class. We keep the basic idea of using little movement to achieve maximum performance. We change the material from plastic tubes to paper and the destination is to build a light fixture which can adjust by the sensors to create some relative effect from human movement.

Input Component
Temperature probe/sensor
Processing Component
Basic Stamp code
Output Component
Flexinol and a wearable top.
Scale
Full size clothing piece. 1 Module
Siting
Portable
The "twist" of the project
The clothing will respond to change of temperature and alter its configuration.

Vendors
Parallax - Temperature Sensor
Jameco - Flexinol Crimps
Dynalloy - Flexinol
Canal Plastics - Flexible Plastic Sheets

Technical Issues
Actuate Multimple Flexinols with basic stamp
Testing temperature sensor
Design mecahnism (aperture ,etc.)
Intergrate mechanism with clothing

// Input component
{miniature microphones}{usb/firewire interface}
{vibration sensors}{ardiuno analog inputs}

// Processing component
{maxMSPjitter}{patch developoment}

// Output component
{ardiuno}{flexinol/nintinol}
{motion}{geometry development}

// Scale of a single "module" if you have one
{node/epicenter based module}
{assemblage of "dumb" units connected with "smart" units}
{maximum displacement from minimal local reaction}
{epicenter includes: (1 microphone)(+/- 2 flexinol)(1 [remote] vibration sensor)(~9 active cells)}

// Number of modules you will create
{3 to 5 epicenters}
{~10% of overall cells in assemblage}
{reaction wihin and between epicenters}

// Siting (vertical, horizontal, indoor, outdoor, in a quiet environment, etc.)
{100 Avery Hall (space between 200 level elevator and stairs to 100 level)}
{1172 Amsterdam Avenue}
{New York, NY 10027}

// The "twist" of the project
{the mouth + the [tuned responsive] feedback output}

// Vendors of all materials you will have to buy
{maudio usb interface}
{radioshack/online equivalent}

// List of technical issues and tests you will have to conduct in the next five weeks
{analog audio inputs to laptop}
{wireless, from laptop to arduino}
{scalablitiy}
{structure}
{electrical engineering}

# posted by alan r. : 6:06 PM  0 comments

warning! rendering/diagrams below. dont worry, its constructive...

http://www.colourbynumbers.org/EN/liveVideo.html

This last prototype used LED's as the actuators. We tried multiple combinations of lights wired in series and in parallel. The voltage output was enough to light four green LEDs in series.

The connection with LED as output.

' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}
'
' =========================================================================
' -----[ Program Description ]---------------------------------------------
'
' Monitors X and Y inputs from Memsic 2125 and will trigger alarm if
' continuous motion is detected beyond the threshold period.

' -----[ I/O Definitions ]-------------------------------------------------
Xin PIN 8 ' X input from Memsic 2125
Yin PIN 9 ' Y pulse input
ResetLED PIN 10 ' reset LED
AlarmLED PIN 11 ' alarm LED
' -----[ Constants ]-------------------------------------------------------
HiPulse CON 1 ' measure high-going pulse
LoPulse CON 0
SampleDelay CON 500 ' 0.5 sec
AlarmLevel CON 5 ' 5 x SampleDelay
XLimit CON 5 ' x motion max
YLimit CON 5 ' y motion max
' -----[ Variables ]-------------------------------------------------------
xCal VAR Word ' x calibration value
yCal VAR Word ' y calibration value
xMove VAR Word ' x sample
yMove VAR Word ' y sample
xDiff VAR Word ' x axis difference
yDiff VAR Word ' y axis difference
moTimer VAR Word ' motion timer
' -----[ Initialization ]--------------------------------------------------
Initialize:
LOW AlarmLED ' alarm off
moTimer = 0 ' clear motion timer
Read_Cal_Values:
PULSIN Xin, HiPulse, xCal ' read calibration values
PULSIN Yin, HiPulse, yCal
xCal = xCal / 10 ' filter for noise & temp
yCal = yCal / 10
HIGH ResetLED ' show reset complete
PAUSE 1000
LOW ResetLED
' -----[ Program Code ]----------------------------------------------------
Main:
DO
GOSUB Get_Data ' read inputs
xDiff = ABS (xMove - xCal) ' check for motion
yDiff = ABS (yMove - yCal)
IF (xDiff > XLimit) OR (yDiff > YLimit) THEN
moTimer = moTimer + 1 ' update motion timer
IF (moTimer > AlarmLevel) THEN Alarm_On
ELSE
moTimer = 0 ' clear motion timer
ENDIF
LOOP
END
' -----[ Subroutines ]-----------------------------------------------------
' Sample and filter inputs
Get_Data:
PULSIN Xin, HiPulse, xMove ' take first reading
PULSIN Yin, HiPulse, yMove
xMove = xMove / 10 ' filter for noise & temp
yMove = yMove / 10
PAUSE SampleDelay
RETURN
' Blink Alarm LED
' -- will run until BASIC Stamp is reset
Alarm_On:
DO
TOGGLE AlarmLED ' blink alarm LED
PAUSE 250
LOOP ' loop until reset
END




___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________


The connection with urban operator as output

' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}
'
' =========================================================================
' -----[ Program Description ]---------------------------------------------
'
' Monitors X and Y inputs from Memsic 2125 and will trigger alarm if
' continuous motion is detected beyond the threshold period.

' -----[ I/O Definitions ]-------------------------------------------------
Xin PIN 8 ' X input from Memsic 2125
Yin PIN 9 ' Y pulse input
ResetLED PIN 10 ' reset LED
AlarmLED PIN 11 ' alarm LED
' -----[ Constants ]-------------------------------------------------------
HiPulse CON 1 ' measure high-going pulse
LoPulse CON 0
SampleDelay CON 500 ' 0.5 sec
AlarmLevel CON 5 ' 5 x SampleDelay
XLimit CON 5 ' x motion max
YLimit CON 5 ' y motion max
' -----[ Variables ]-------------------------------------------------------
xCal VAR Word ' x calibration value
yCal VAR Word ' y calibration value
xMove VAR Word ' x sample
yMove VAR Word ' y sample
xDiff VAR Word ' x axis difference
yDiff VAR Word ' y axis difference
moTimer VAR Word ' motion timer
' -----[ Initialization ]--------------------------------------------------
Initialize:
LOW AlarmLED ' alarm off
moTimer = 0 ' clear motion timer
Read_Cal_Values:
PULSIN Xin, HiPulse, xCal ' read calibration values
PULSIN Yin, HiPulse, yCal
xCal = xCal / 10 ' filter for noise & temp
yCal = yCal / 10
HIGH ResetLED ' show reset complete
PAUSE 1000
LOW ResetLED
' -----[ Program Code ]----------------------------------------------------
Main:
DO
GOSUB Get_Data ' read inputs
xDiff = ABS (xMove - xCal) ' check for motion
yDiff = ABS (yMove - yCal)
IF (xDiff > XLimit) OR (yDiff > YLimit) THEN
moTimer = moTimer + 1 ' update motion timer
IF (moTimer > AlarmLevel) THEN Alarm_On
ELSE
moTimer = 0 ' clear motion timer
ENDIF
LOOP
END
' -----[ Subroutines ]-----------------------------------------------------
' Sample and filter inputs
Get_Data:
PULSIN Xin, HiPulse, xMove ' take first reading
PULSIN Yin, HiPulse, yMove
xMove = xMove / 10 ' filter for noise & temp
yMove = yMove / 10
PAUSE SampleDelay
RETURN
' Blink Alarm LED
' -- will run until BASIC Stamp is reset
Alarm_On:
DO
HIGH 11 ' blink alarm LED
PAUSE 3000
LOW 11
LOOP ' loop until reset
END