I'm hoping that by Saturday the table will be ready for examination. As it stands at the moment we can already test the application but by Sat I hoping Karl and myself will test on a finished prototype. --------------------- Guys Table Ready. Today I bought the actual mirror as well as a thicker 6mm transparent glass that will go in the finished product. Here are some photos: 
And this is the first test with symbols on the glass and a picture taken from the actual point where the webcam should sit. 
Oh and also invented a really cool way to operate a volume control. I should have that ready tomorrow and will upload pictures accordingly.Check out the first test with the new webcam - I used the mirror and managed to fit in the whole table top with 12 fiducials + volume control and still get the reactivision to work. I removed the mirror and with the webcam set to wide screen I could place approximately 8 fiducials but no volume.
Me I'd go for the mirror based layout.
Karl,
ReplyDeleteGood job mate. Prosit.
As regards the images, I am searching for some and will update the blog later. The question remains on how to change the fiducials with letters on screen. I'll do some research and post later too.
I have also started preparing some things for the actual table (mainly wood :-)). Will compile a list of items with prices and post for all to give their point of view on.
Karlos,
ReplyDeleteI found characters on the web, it's just that they are in low resolution and most of them a bit distorted etc.
I have an idea though. I'm going to search at home maybe I still have something from Zach's. If we get hold of physical items it's much better because all we'll have to do then is take a picture and create the image. Thus the image can be created in high resolution and manipulated to our needs.
Karl,
ReplyDeleteI meant images not characters. Well this document - http://www.sourcefiles.org/Graphics/Camera/reacTIVision-1.3-src.zip.shtml -
contains information stating that:
"
the reacTIVision 1.3 application can alternatively send MIDI messages, which allows to map any object dimension (xpos, ypos, angle) to a MIDI control via an XML configuration file. Adding and removing objects can be mapped to simple note ON/OFF events. Keep in mind though that MIDI has less bandwidth and data resolution compared to Open Sound Contol, so the new MIDI feature is meant as an convenient alternative in some cases, but TUIO still will be the primary messaging layer.
Invoke reacTIVision with the "-m option, an example configuration file along with an example PD patch can be found in the midi folder. You can list all availabl MIDI devices with the "-l midi" option, and the "--midi-device lets you choose the device.
"
Will this help us?
Contd...
ReplyDeleteWe can place the image inside the same reactivision folder and map both the sound and the image on those coordinates, only modifying the configuration file.
Thanks for searching this out.
ReplyDeleteRe pictures, we dont need a very high resolution pictures since boxes representing the blocks will be small and they have to fit in. The important thing is that they are not very distorted and are of the same pattern.
Re how to place the image, i will read this carefully when i arrive at home and let you know the outcome :)
What do Mark and Steve think on all this? (image quality and way of displaying the images on the boxes?
Hey Karl,
ReplyDeleteRegarding the images i had a few good royalty free websites, thus i can search for some characters.
Also next Saturday i will go hunting for some sort of blocks where we can attach the fiducials in some manner.
I will keep ya'll up-to-date with the progress:D
Cheers
Steve
Karl, bring ur notebook with you at the meeting pls.. we need to see this working :)
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeletethats great :)
Mark,
Yep will do so.
BTW also managed to create pronounciation of the word(with some filtering) being joined and play the sound the animal makes :)
Guys,
ReplyDeleteBelow is what we will need to create the table:
1 8' x 4' piece of pine wood
1 bottle of wood glue
1 case of self tapping screws
1 aluminium slice that will then be modified into our shape
1 box of wood nails
Cut glass measuring approx 70cm x 70cm.
These will come at a cost so to limit expenses we will have to try and join things together from our house holds.
Example, does anyone have wood glue, self tapping screws or wood nails? The pine and aluminium will have to be bought, issa naraw.
Guys,
ReplyDeleteAs regards the blocks, unfortunately I didn't find any, but what I have are:
- Baby time book with alphabetical characters and words.
- Flash Cards with the same logic, but in Maltese
- Dictionary for children with flash cards (images) and alphabetical characters, having the word in English and Maltese and
- Flash Cards with cartoon like images of animals etc and their respective identification
I also have A - Z magnets
Puzzle like objects with A - Z
I'm trying at my Bro's maybe I'l find something there too.
Will keep you updated - obviously :-)
Lorn il check later on if i have self tapping screws, wood glue(which i may have) and wood nails(which i have i think)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the list of items needed is also a piece of wire, a bulb socket and a plug which will be used give light to the blocks from underneath for better visibility. (unless some one has a usb lamp which will avoid this hassle :))
guys,
ReplyDeleteI found wood glue so i can provide. I dont have self tapping screws but can get a few nails(although i think they are too long)
Karl,
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out the bulb. You reminded me the topic. If you notice the conceptual table design didn't include sides.
This was strategically done to avoid having to use light sources from withing the table. I simplified the design by eliminating elements stored within the object so that the final product will carry a lesser price tag and can be built with basic materials.
If we build the table with the aluminium sheets than we won't need a light source. Also, lighting sources will drastically effect the ergonomic layout and components required. Thing with lighting is that placing a light source underneath the glass will create a vision impediment for users and therefore we will have to use black out base as well as infrared sources, etc.
We'll discuss this in detail Wednesday, but keep in mind that light can never be coming from in front of you, but from the side or behind otherwise it will obstruct your vision.
You have a point here lorn. Light directly from underneath will not be so comfortable for the user. If we have problems with light, we may try to use some UV tube which should flash out the white parts of the symbol and it would not discomfort the users. (blindly assuming that UV bulbs/tubes do not cost too much and will increase the price tag).
ReplyDeleteWe will discuss today later on ;)
Well guys,
ReplyDeletelooks like our table will have to be built with sides after all.
I am designing another one with the new dimensions etc. I am also getting a proper quote from Cortis Wood Works and another family friend. My only worry is that we will have to go with solid wood and that's gonna cost us a bit.
I'll hope to have the price finished by Thursday.
Lorn.
Guys, Managed to source cheap wood and bought enough for the various sections needed.
ReplyDeleteWill update you with exact price tomorrow, cause my dad picked up the material.
Guys first part of table complete.
ReplyDeleteBTW - Wood cost €19 approx. I'll bring the receipt tonight.
Am Preparing Pictures of the event :-)
Regards
Lorn.
Guys, Table frame ready. Tomorrow I will go and by the mirror and the top glass. Will paste images later or tomorrow, cause I've been working on it since 08:30am and I'm kinda tired.
ReplyDeleteI am also thinking that we might even try to purchase a wide angle camera. I searched a bit and found that the webcam Genius iLook 1321 has enough angle range to fit the whole top and avoid the mirror. It opens up 60 Degrees which is exactly what we need.
I also Tried to find out who sells such a camera and found out the klikk computers should have in stock.
Guys what do you think? Shall we buy it?
Great lorn. Table looks good, my laptop should fit well as well since mine has a 15'' screen and yours 17'' and the height looks perfect for children.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the webcam, the specs are the below:
Main Specifications
Product Description: Creative WebCam Live! - web camera
Device Type: Web camera
Camera: Colour
Optical Sensor Type: CMOS - 640 x 480
Focus Adjustment: Manual
Digital Video Capture Resolution: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 352 x 288, 176 x 144, 160 x 120
We will try mine out on the table (i get the set of fiducials i had printed as well with me) this Saturday and if it does not fit our needs, I opt as well to buy a wide angle one :)
Guys,
ReplyDeleteBTW cost till now is
Wood - €19.00
Mirror - €6.00
6 mm Glass - €7.00
Total of €22.00
I'll get receipts with me Monday.
I meant €32.00
ReplyDelete:-)
guys,
ReplyDeleteBased on results when we tried the webcam on the table, we discovered that my webcam has a small Viewing angle and not the whole tabletop is captured.
Today i went to Klikk to buy the Genius iLook wide angle one but it was out of stock, and will be for the next few weeks. They recommended a Logitech c250 and from reasearch i found that it should have an even wider angle lense of 74 degrees. Tomorrow i will go to click to buy it and will bring it next wednesday :)
Guys,
ReplyDeleteToday Karl purchased a webcam for me. Actually its for us to use but my dad purchased it so that the cost doesn't keep growing.
Anyways, this webcam should provide better sharpness and a larger viewable angle than our previous one, thus we might avoid using the mirror for depth of view and shift it to help out the light source.
I'll test out the cam with the reactivision software tomorrow and update the blog accordingly.
Good night.
Guys,
ReplyDeletePlease view the post and see the video of my first test with the new webcam.
I've also updated my view and expressed an opinion just above the vid, so read through and comment at will please.
Thanks and Ciao Ciao for now.
Lorn,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the mirror based layout since more fiducials are captured and reactivision still recognises them :)