May 2009
3 posts
April 2009
8 posts
AXIS IP Camera Setup
In order to view what Hani is doing at the book shelf area, setting up an IP camera is required. I’ve done this before when taking Networked Objects, but again, all documentation are gone, so I decided to document it online this time.
AXIS 207 W Network Camera : Go online and download “IP Utility” software. Notice that this is only for windows os so you need a pc to...
Arduino KeyPad Library
I might use this library for later use. The source is here.
Lantronix + Arduino
This is always confusing. Last semester’s Networked Objects class notes are all deleted accidentally, so I had trouble recollecting every bits until I finally got phpSocket php code working!
So, now Hanimustav is remotely working via internet, rest of it would be to come up with polished html, php code combo.
Things that I wouldn’t want to forget about merging XPort and Arduino:
...
Hanimustäv Arduino Code
I often forget where the code is saved in my local drive after the project is done. This took me ‘some’ time to figure out how to get interactions from both physical button and computer keyboard. Now the circuit works properly.
////////Aram Chang/////////
///2009 - 4 - 11//////////
///HANIMUSTAV////////
// choose the input pin (for a pushbutton)
int bttnPin1 = 2; //RED
int...
WatchSealed Linear Solenoid Continuous Duty, Push, 1” Stroke, 30 oz Force
This is it. I decided to use this one. The form factor seems just right for mounting, and test result was satisfactory.
WatchSealed Linear Solenoid Intermittent, Push, 1” Stroke, 130 oz Force, 1.66” L
This turns out too ‘heavy duty’ so I’m returning it to the seller. I really liked the stroke it could provide (and also sounded very nice), but the pin itself was too heavy to be lifted again.
Update - 03/31/09
Here’s the list of what I’ve updated.
Power supply : I figured that it’s wise to use ATX power supply (commonly use for desktop power source) to provide enough amperage (current) to all solenoids. I lucked out to find one in the junk shelf along with power cord, then I jumped two wires from the terminal block - I had to ask this question to Daniel Rozin. He uses same thing...
March 2009
12 posts
WatchSecond test with brown box + 3 solenoids attached.
WatchFirst test.
Clarify the idea
There have been some ups and downs in my thesis project, but I am glad that I never changed the subject itself. I need to clarify my thesis idea (well, it’s late to talk about idea for now considering not many weeks have left.) then move on to next step.
So, first idea was to provide a playground for Hani by making wall-mounted shelves and simple on-off style toys around them. While...
Watch
Whack-a-mole for Hani
Aside from all concerns about collapsing wall and mounted vs. free-standing fixture, I’ve decided to test different toy for Hani. ‘Whack-a-mole’ was one of most popular arcade game from ’80s. Inspired by its simple interaction - up & down teasing moles from the holes, I did a very simple test with Hani. (see next posts)
This is how I’m envisioning what this...
Wall-mounted .vs Free-standing
I’ve learned following things from the first disastrous user testing.
Hanimustav should have structural perfection. This is priority than any other following issues such as building/installing toys.
Dry wall doesn’t support as much weight as I thought it would no matter what kind of nice hardware I try. This is a reality. I should concern about getting my security deposit back when...
1st User Testing - disaster!
After researching many shelves online, I bought four shelves from Home Depot locally. They are named either ‘mural shelf’ or ‘floating shelf’ in stock list meaning that they will be shown without supporting brackets stick out so they should visually look good (and expensive than normal shelves).
Based on my assumption
February 2009
16 posts
User Scenario 2
Name : Sarah
Occupation: Student
Age :10
Gender : Feale
Feline : A male Norwegian Forest Cat
Sqf of House : 700 sqf
Mobile ability : Owns Samsung SHC144
Computing and Web experience : Mid - low level
How long does Sarah stay at home : 3pm to 8am (17 hours)
Sarah’s parents recently have installed CatCam along with four shelves on living...
User Scenario
Name : Nick
Occupation: Event Planner
Age :34
Gender : Male
Feline : A female Abyssinian Cat
Sqf of House : 600 sqf
Mobile ability : Owns Nokia N95 with dataplan
Computing and Web experience : Somewhat high
How long does Nick stay at home : 7pm to 8am (13 hours)
Nick leaves home arond 8am in the morning, after refilling both food and water...
Revised work plan [...]
Other than diving into production, the concept has settled down with fairly specific direction now. The list below is detailed to-dos.
IP camera check out - Wednesday, Feb 18th
Buying the shelves
WatchObviously, Hani was being shy on edge of the top shelf not doing much for couple days, now he attempts to take steps further to one of his favorite contraption - (noisy) printer. The printer has everything that Hani likes about. It produces few different types of noise, plus LEDs keep blinking interestingly enough for Hani to keep paying attention.
This observation helped me to come up with more...
WatchSo, I took this moment of Hani being on top of my book shelf. He couldn’t pass on that little space next to the speaker, finally jumped onto it by stepping on the couch first. I can imagine he’d be happier if I installed multiple shelves only for him to play around.
Thesis - Work Plan as of Feb 16th
Week 3:
Set-up thesis blog entry, revise week 1 & 2 documents
Finish-up brainstorming, narrow down to ‘specific’ idea
Keep researching related works, gathering info, visuals and etc.
Week 4:
Revising a new thesis idea - Hani-xerciser
Abstract, personal statement
Context draft
Diagram draft
Work Plan
Concept/project description draft
Week 5:
Revise/Update current...
Hani's Lair
Hani doesn’t hide as much as normal cats would do. I used to have a cat when I was seven, this outdoor cat always hide somewhere dark, giving clear message that she needed a ‘privacy’. In comparison to my old cat, Hani may want to a place, not to hide but to feel that it is his own private place which can’t be interrupted.
WatchI took this video this morning to see how Hani reacts to flapping mailslot on the front door. He seems reacting….
Thesis Concept/Project Description - Draft
Overview/Thesis Statement:
Hani-xerciser is a networking toy to encourage my cat to exercise more to stay in healthy condition while I’m out of home.
Rationale:
My cat, Hani, has been suffered from asthma for a long time since I moved to ‘carpeted’ house four years ago. Also he gained some weight than before now he is slightly over-weighted cat. I believe that lack of...
Hani - Diagram draft
Hani never get sick of running up & down stairs when the mailman arrived to drop mails. My wife and I saw him trying to fetch mails from the slot, we laughed with our entire bodies. He just looked like a rookie basketball player (with black uniform) trying to grab a ball under goal post.
More importantly, this series of activity should be synthesized in my network platform so that Hani can...
Thesis - Context Draft
Hani-xerciser (temporarily titled) is a project with personal motivation and enthusiasm to promote my cat, Hani’s both physical and mental wellness. Hani was adopted 2003 fall, when my wife and I were living in an apartment at East Harlem area. The reason that we wanted a ‘cat’, not specifically Hani, was very practical and realistic - ever growing numbers of mice at home. The mice were rapidly...
Thesis - Personal Statement
Hani, my cat, has lived with me and my wife for about five years. When I was living in an apartment building located in East Harlem in 2003, I had to deal with mice in my house. The building had a chinese restaurant on the first floor, which made many tenants suffer from the ever growing numbers of mice. Adopting Hani immediately solved the problem, making the mice move to my neighbor’s house next...
Thesis - Abstract
Hani-xerciser (temporarily titled) is an interactive toy system that links me and my cat, Hani, so that we can play remotely, when I’m away from home during the daytime. Ever since I adopted Hani five years ago, I’ve always looked for something for him to do while my wife and I are not at home. Trying numerous cat toys for him, I realized one simple fact: Cats easily get bored with...