DOG BANK – Yongxin(Phoebe) Li – Rodolfo Cossovich

link of the video

CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE

The Group Project enhance my understanding of interactivity, which, in my mind, is the ability to interact, and its level can be embodied in the complexity of the interaction as well as people’s will to interact with certain objects. Again, we wanted to create something with relatively high interactivity, so we tried to use different ways of interacting(press the button, or use a coin to trigger the sensor), and provide different outputs (sound and movement).

We also got our idea from a video of a smart bin. It used an ultrasonic sensor as an input and a servo as an output, and use the servo to open the lid of the bin. We thought a similar mechanical movement can be used in our project, but we wanted to make it more interesting, so we come up with the idea to create a smart saving box. There were two processes in our project. The first is the saving process, we used an ultrasonic to trigger a buzzer. when the sensor sensed the coins, the buzzer would buzz. The second was the withdrawal process, and its circuit contains a button, a servo, and a sensor (the same one in the first process). When the user wants to withdraw his or her coins, he or she should press the button, and the servo will go 90 degree to open the lid and the buzzer will buzz (the sound is different from that in the first process), and after getting the coins out, he or she can press the button again, the servo will go back to 0 degree but no sound will be made. We thought this will add more interest when saving money. As for the targeted audience, we thought it is designed for anyone who wanted a place to restore the coins. However, if we have to pick a specific group, maybe kids will have more needs. Many of the kids do not have cell phones or bank accounts, so they can use this to save their pocket money. Since we tried to make it look very cute and use various interactions, I think they will not get bored with it.

In my understanding, interaction contains a bilateral effect. Let’s suppose there are subjects A and B. After B receiving the action from A, it provides certain feedbacks. The whole process is interaction.

CONCEPTION AND DESIGN

The first decision we made in terms of the ways of interacting was the choice between button and sensor. We wanted to distinguish the methods of opening the lid when the user wants to put in or take out the coins, and two inputs we came up with were a sensor and a button, but we didn’t decide which to use when the user wants to put in and vice verse. Then, considering the convenience of using, we finally decided to use the sensor for saving, so the user will not have to do unnecessary actions except put the coins in. As for the button, since pressing the button contains a mechanical movement, we thought it could prevent false triggering to the highest extent.

And we also made some efforts to adjust the buzzer. We wanted it to buzz in different modes to distinguish depositing and withdrawing, and we tried different tones and durations, finally, we decided that when depositing, it would make the sound of “Bi–BiBi”, while when withdrawing, it would make the sound of a longer “Bi—–“. They are the sound that we thought were the most comfortable ones after trying many different options. 

We used cardboard to make the saving box, since they are easy to find and easy to change the shape. To enable the rotation of the lid, we used a straw between the box and its lid.

FABRICATION AND PRODUCTION. 

After having the idea, we first made the prototype with cardboard. Then, we connect our circuit and test the sensor, and next we adjust the code as well as decorate the box with paints to make it more like a dog. Finally, we put the sensor in the box so it can know when the coin was deposited into the box.

We brainstormed the idea of making this bank together. During the making process, I was mainly in charge of the code part, but also did some work on the circuit as well. Finally, I edited the presentation video. Since both of us live in the dorm and even in the same tower, we could meet and work together. At first, we did most of the work together, but as our concept and the work needed became more and more clear in our minds, we naturally divided the work, which improved our efficiency as well.

The first objection we faced was the outlook and the structure. We had wanted to 3D print a dog. However, due to the close of the academic building, we had to make it by ourselves and find materials from our dorm, and we finally decided to use some cardboard. We also had some problems with coding. At first, the servo could not work as we designed. It kept shaking but could not rotate when we press the button. So we had to adjust the code. With the help of fellow Winny, we use a Boolean variable and it moved correctly. At first, we used two Arduino and two breadboards to place two separate circuits. However, after talking with Professor Rudi, we decided to use only one Arduino and one breadboard, which made it look cleaner. 

CONCLUSIONS:

In conclusion,  our project is an interactive saving box, which is useful and is able to make the saving process more interesting. After the user put a coin into the box, he give the sensor a signal and trigger the whole circuit, and the box will make sound by the buzzer as the feedback. Similarly, when the user press the button, the servo moves and the buzzer buzz again as the feedback. The audience can interact with the project when they deposit and withdraw their coins. From the project, I learn more about coding, and if possible, I want to add more movements of the dog after depositing the coin or pressing the button, such as wagging the dog’s tail, or put its ears straight up.

Process:

This is the most complicated circuit that I’ve ever built. Fortunately, the different colors of the cables really helped me. I classified the cables by their colors and to my surprise, I successfully connected the circuit the first time I tried!

With the help of our fellow, I connected the power supply and drove the motor!

Then I connect a potentiometer and map the code, so I can control the range of the motor.

Finally, my partner and I built the machine together.

Questions:

• Question 1: What kind of machines would you be interested in building? Add a reflection about the use of actuators, the digital manipulation of art, and the creative process to your blog post.

I’m interested in machines that can do work that needs a lot of human labor or that are difficult to finish by human labor. For the former one, for example, a machine that can hold heavy things, and for the latter, a machine that can engrave on some extremely tiny things. I think an actuator can drive something to move automatically, so it can save a lot of human effort. Digital manipulation is very helpful. For example, people can use photoshop to make a photo looks more colorful and provide a different feeling when watching the manipulated one. As for the creative process, which includes creative thinking and problem-solving skills, is indispensable for anyone. It is the basis to generate new ideas and create new things.

• Question 2: Choose an art installation mentioned in the reading ART + Science NOW, Stephen Wilson (Kinetics chapter). Post your thoughts about it and make a comparison with the work you did during this recitation. How do you think that the artist selected those specific actuators for his project?

Installation: Daniel Palacios Jimenes, Waves, 2006

My thoughts: I feel it is very interesting to show some complicated pattern or sound effect with the movement of a simple rope, and the connection between the observer’s motion and the movements of the rope makes me feel it interactive.

Comparison: On one hand, I found some similarities between the installation and the drawing machine I made in the recitation: both of them use a motor to drive something and to create a visual effect. There are interactions between people’s motion and the installation/machine in both of them as well. On the other hand, however, the installation also contains sound effects, and even the movements to create visual effects have different modes and look more complicated than my drawing machine. I guess it needs more complex computing and arrangement about the circuit, the motor, and some other components.

A. Puppy Bank – Phoebe (Yongxin) Li -Rodolfo Cossovich

B. Conceptual sketch

C. Proposal explanation

We want to make a puppy bank. It is interesting and can be used in our daily life. Basically, it is a little similar to the classic piggy bank, which people can use to store their coins. What is different is that it can interact with the person using it. When that person wants to deposit some coins, he or she can press a button and there will be a hole opened on the puppy’s back ( for aesthetic consideration it is closed at other times), where people can throw coins in. Then, the puppy will go rounds and/or wig its tails, which means it is very happy. When the person wants to withdraw his or her money, the intention will be “caught” with the help of a sensor (maybe an ultrasonic sensor), the puppy will open its mouth to allow the person to fetch the coins, however, at the same time, it will shake its hand and make the sound like a sob.

My partner and I brainstormed and talked about our ideas together. But we were inspired by a video that uses Arduino to make a smart bin (and its URL will be pasted at the end of the proposal). We thought we can also make something with a similar open-and-close process.

video: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1TU4y1K78h?spm_id_from=333.337.search-card.all.click

I made two small badges in JRRTolkien’s books with the laser cut machine. To be more specific, I draw the diagram on Gravit Designer and the main cutting method is raster cut.

Video of performance:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HVbOHsC84VzVxBWzZQiMFuq6cOAcauch/view?usp=sharing

About our ideas:

To decide our concept, we shared each one’s artifacts the first time we met together, and then we generated this new one by integrating different idea pieces in our artifacts.

This concept is from the fiction Newton’s Sleep, in which people got illusions about Earth after they came to a new planet. In fiction, people can not really interact with their illusions, and these illusions (which present the bond between humans and Earth) made them desperate. According to the reading The Art of Interactive Design, we wanted to do something have a higher level of interactivity. After reading the novel, which is written in an anti-utopia style, we wanted to make something that can express our humanistic thinking. Moreover, many of our artifacts mention the concept of projecting vivid things, so based on the situation at the end of the fiction, we just came up with an assumption: People wanted to do something to interact with their illusion to fulfill their emptiness in heart, but the illusions are still illusions, so they cannot really solve the problem. And since people rely too much on those technologies,  once there is something wrong with the technologies, people may feel even more desperate. 

So we have our concept: A kind of floor that can project interactive images according to people’s minds. In addition to the floor, there are also other accessories: a helmet, which can read people’s brain waves ( people’s illusion) and send information to the floor; a glove, which can enable people to touch the things projected; a receptor which receives the information sent from the helmet. 

About the process and collaboration:

We started to make the cardboard prototype on Feb 25, Friday, after the cardboard workshop, and started to write our script for the performance on Sunday, and started to rehearse the performance on March 3, Thursday.

First of all, we brainstormed the concept together, deciding what objects we need to do, and drawing a sketch on the paper.

When doing the prototypes, we assigned the work, so each of us did some part of the prototypes. We cut the cardboard and folded them to the shape we want and pasted them when it was necessary. Younian also brought some paint so we could decorate our prototype and make them more vivid( such as the sunflower).

My main contribution was writing the first draft of our performance script. At first, I wrote a theater-style script in Chinese, and other group members helped me to translate it into English and gave some suggestions on how to improve it.

An analysis and assessment of performance from another group:

I want to analyze the performance of group2: The Time Stealer.

Their project could change the time speed of people who wear the project. Their performance started with the birthday party for the main man character who met someone having the same habits as him and wanted to spend more time chatting with her. So he use this project to slow down the time speed of they two so they can talk a lot of things even if it was just a few seconds for people who weren’t wearing the project.

I think their concept derives from the fiction “The Fish of Lijiang”, where there was also the concept about changing the speed of time. However, it is hard to feel that their stories happen in the same universe as The Fish of Lijiang. One of the features in the universe is that people use manmade technology to replace most of the things in the world, so everything just feels fake, but I cannot see this feature in their performance. It just looks no different with a birthday party in our life, except an advanced technology. Also, in a universe where time-speed-changing technology has widely experimented, this kind of machine may not be very creative.

As for the performance, I think it did show their concept clearly, and the acting skill of actor and actress is very natural and immersive and have very good interaction with the audience. However, since the aim of our performance is to show the artifact, I think it will be better if they spend a longer time presenting the function of their artifact, rather than the atmosphere of the birthday party.

Circuit

At first, we chose a force sensitive sensor as our input and a LED as our output. We successfully built the input, and with the help of AnalogReadSerial, we could see how the value changes because of the change of force.

Then we connected the output. In this process, we tried to map the input and set output. We found the information we wanted after the “SensorValue” and “Output” values.  The words and numbers in the bracket after “map” represents the input that we want the program to read (sensorValue), the lowest and highest values that the input could trigger the output (0, 1023),  and the lowest and the highest value of output (0,255). We change the number after “delay” and the lowest value of input so that we can observe how the input effect output more clearly.

This is the prototype of our circuit!! Based on this one, we tried some other sensors. Some of them had different ways to be connected to the circuit, and we found instructions in the links on the “recitation” page.

The ultrasonic ranger:

The Vibration sensor:

The diagram for this one is the same as the first one.

However, the effect of these sensors could not be observed as easily as the force sensitive sensor,  for we could not make ultrasonic and very fast vibrations.

Our code:

/*
Analog input, analog output, serial output

Reads an analog input pin, maps the result to a range from 0 to 255, and uses
the result to set the pulse width modulation (PWM) of an output pin.
Also prints the results to the Serial Monitor.

The circuit:
– potentiometer connected to analog pin 0.
The Center pin of the potentiometer goes to the analog pin.
side pins of the potentiometer go to +5V and ground
– LED connected from digital pin 9 to ground through a 220-ohm resistor

created 29 Dec. 2008
modified 9 Apr 2012
by Tom Igoe

This example code is in the public domain.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/BuiltInExamples/AnalogInOutSerial
*/

// These constants won’t change. They’re used to give names to the pins used:
const int analogInPin = A0; // Analog input pin that the potentiometer is attached to
const int analogOutPin = 9; // Analog output pin that the LED is attached to

int sensorValue = 0; // value read from the pot
int outputValue = 0; // value output to the PWM (analog out)

void setup() {
// initialize serial communications at 9600 bps:
Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
// read the analog in value:
sensorValue = analogRead(analogInPin);
// map it to the range of the analog out:
outputValue = map(sensorValue, 0, 1023, 0, 255);
// change the analog out value:
analogWrite(analogOutPin, outputValue);

// print the results to the Serial Monitor:
Serial.print(“sensor = “);
Serial.print(sensorValue);
Serial.print(“\t output = “);
Serial.println(outputValue);

// wait 2 milliseconds before the next loop for the analog-to-digital
// converter to settle after the last reading:
delay(2);

Questions:

• Question 1: What did you intend to assemble in the recitation exercise? If your sensor/actuator combination were to be used for pragmatic purposes, who would use it, why would they use it, and how could it be used?

we want to use force/ultrasonic/vibration to trigger the light. If our combinations are used pragmatically, maybe they can be used in some light system. For the force sensitive one, it can be used for some exhibition purpose. When people place something on the sensor, the LED will turn on and light the exhibits. For the ultrasonic one, I think it can be used in scientific research, to detect ultrasonically. For the vibration one, maybe it can be used to make night light, which can be put in hospital corridors or just people’s homes. For example, if someone gets up at night and wants to go to the bathroom, the sensor can detect the vibrations produced by the person’s steps and bring him/her light.

• Question 2: Code is often compared to following a recipe or tutorial. Why do you think that is?

In my understanding, code is a kind of language to give instructions to a computer. Just as there are grammars in human language, it is also reasonable to have “grammars” in coding. It is a way to arrange different pieces of information and instructions, to make them recognizable.

• Question 3: In The Language of New Media, Manovich describes the influence of computers on new media. In what ways do you believe the computer influences our human behaviors?

On one hand, the computer as a tool can change the way we learn and work. For example, people write things with computers and restore these things in them, which is easy to keep and read again. Moreover, since most of our computers can connect to the internet, it can make it more effective to get new knowledge or information, as well as enable people to communicate with each other more easily, through the ways such as emails, social media.

On the other hand, computers may have some negative influences. For example, since people rely more and more on social media, some people don’t know how to communicate with others properly in the real life. These may be things that are worth our reflecting on.

Circuit Building process

• circuit1:fade

We build the circuit according to the diagram. We start the circuit from D9 on the Arduino Uno, connecting a resistor and a LED, and finally connecting the whole circuit with the ground. Then, we copied the code and uploaded it successfully. Everything went well when we were at this step.

• Circuit 2: toneMelody

This circuit was quite similar to the first one. The LED was replaced by a buzzer and the resistor was removed. However, since we weren’t sure if we would use the former one, my partner and I built the second one without removing the first one. So the picture may look a little complicated but actually it is not. 

Then, we opened another code on the computer and uploaded it. Nothing went wrong as well.

• Circuit 3: Speed Game

This one became much more complicated and my partner and I did spend some time building it.

we signed up the Tinkercad account and opened the example and the example diagram and code, just as the instructions said.

When building the circuit, we tried to reduce the whole circuit to some simpler ones, so every time we started connecting the cable from the holes on the Arduino, making the electricity passing the component on the breadboard and going back to the negative electrode on the breadboard. 

However, though we had been really careful, we also made ignored some extremely important things. After finishing the works on the breadboard, we were so excited that we uploaded the code immediately, but only to find that the code could not be uploaded. After checking, we found we forgot to connect the negative electrode with the ground. So it even could not be a complete circuit. I think this is a simple but important lesson. Never should we forget to build out circuit a complete one.

After fixing it, we uploaded the code again. It succeed this time, but when we were about to play the game, there was only one button working. So we had to check the circuit again, and we found one of the buttons and the corresponding resistor were not in a line.

We reconnected them and uploaded the code one more time. Finally, it worked well and we could play with it!!!

Also, professor Andy helped us check our circuit once more. Thank him for his kindness and patience!!!

Questions

• Question 1: Propose another kind of creative button you could use in Circuit 3 to make the game more interactive. Read and use some material from the Introduction Chapter (pages xvii to xxix) of Physical Computing to explain why this button would make this game more interactive.

I want to change the form of simply pressing the button to a more complicated, interesting action. Maybe there can be a mini basketball shooting machine, the player should put the ball into the baskets and get the score. The player that first get the assigned sore wins. 

The writer of this book breaks the process of physical computing down into 3 stages: input, output, and processing. When talking about input, he writes, “they are already happy with their ability to express themselves on a computer, either through the screen or through the speakers, but feel constrained by the input of a mouse and keyboard”. By changing the press button to a basketball shooting, the input becomes more complicated and challenging, people will take more work than just using their finger to press the button. Thus in my point of view, the game becomes more interactive.

• Question 2: Why did we use a 10K resistor with each push button? (Read the short explanation about pull-down resistors here)

 “We can add in what’s called a pull-down resistor before the GND connection, which prevents short circuits when the switch is closed while still biasing the pin to 0V when the switch is open.” According to the explanation, the button is connected directly with the power supply and the GND, so a resistor is necessary to avoid a short circuit. As for why the value should be 10K, it is the recommended value, moreover, this proper value can allow much current passing at the same time ensure the short circuit would not happen.

The diagram for circuit3

Components:

• 1 * Breadboard: provide a space to place each component and help to form a complete circuit
• 1 * Buzzer: make sounds
• 1 * Push-Button Switch: control the buzzer and LED2
• 1 * 220 ohm Resistor: limit the current to protect the LED
• 1 * 10K ohm Resistor: limit the current to protect the LED
• 1 * 10K ohm Variable Resistor (Potentiometer): control the luminance of LED1
• 2 * LED: produce light
• 1 * 5 volt power supply: switch the voltage to the proper degree
• 1 * Barrel Jack: connect the power with the circuit
• 1 * Multimeter: measure different values
• 1 * DIY Paddle Button: instead of the button, work as a switch
• Several Jumper Cables (M/M Wires): enable the flow of the current

Process:

• First, we connected the circuit shown in the first step. We installed a buzzer and a button and then connected them with the wires. It looked easy but when we really did it by ourselves when found it not like what we had thought. The wires could make us confused.  At first, we thought we had connected all the things, but the buzzer just didn’t make any sound. After checking, we found we made it shout out carelessly.

• Then, we added a resistor and a LED(LED2) to the circuit. After pressing the button, LED2 will light at the same time as the buzzer rang.

• In step3, we added a potentiometer and another LED (LED1).  LED1 is not controlled by the button,  but by the potentiometer. At first, we didn’t know how to install the potentiometer, but professor Marcela taught us patiently.

• Additionally, we also made a DIY paddle button with professor Andy. We melted a metal solder and use it to fasten a cardboard on which we tape some copper tape and a wire. Then we stick two cardboard together, with paper time on the side without the metal tape, so if we put this combination on the table and press it to make metal tape contact, it would work as a paddle button.

• Finally, we change the press button to the DIY paddle button. So we can enjoy it!!

Questions

• What is the function of the resistor R1 ? (You can read about the reason why LEDs need resistors here)

A LED has its maximum voltage and current rating limit. If the voltage and the current rating exceed the limit, it will cause damage to the LED. So adding a resistor can limit the current and protect the LED.

• Looking at the following circuit, draw its diagram by yourself. 
• After reading The Art of Interactive Design, in what way do you think that the circuit you built today includes interactivity? Which degree of interactivity does it possess? Please explain your answer. 

In this essay, the author metaphorically defines interaction as “a cyclic process in which two actors alternatively listen, think and speak”, and he regards conversation as the most common form of interaction. Interactivity, in my understanding, refers to the ability that something can participate in an interaction. 

The interactivity of this circuit can be felt in the following process: when someone presses the button, the LED2 will light and the buzzer will make the sound as a response to the person’s action. In this process, there is a conversation between the person and the circuit. Thus there is interaction. Thus, I suppose it is interactive.

I think its interactivity is in a middle degree. It does have interaction with people, though interaction just contains simple movements and phenomenon ( sound and light). However, the morse idea improves its interestingness. People who play with it may still feel interested when they think and deliver or crack the code.

• How can Interaction Design and Physical Computing be used to create Interactive Art? You can reference Zack Lieberman’s video or any other artists that you know.

Interaction Design is a  component of Interactive Art. And Physical Computing is a tool to make Interaction Design Interactive Art. Artists express their interaction design in an artistic form, while in the technology age they usually do it with the help of physical computing. 

For example, in Zack’s project eyewriter, the installation can capture the movements of eyeballs and show their track. Capturing the movements and showing them out is an interaction design, but when it is linked with eyes creatively and used to help those who have difficulty speaking and moving, it becomes an interactive art to some degree. And all of these things become possible because of the software that he uses, which shows the importance of physical computing.