Project: Huggy Pajama

The Huggy Doll

2009-04-04T03:29:00.000-07:00

The design of the Huggy doll is sketched in Solid Works 2003 software.
To match with the twelve body parts of the pajama, the new doll is designed with twelve places for sensors, the shoulders, arms, upper front body and upper back body. The side of the doll is decided to be able to be well fit in adults’ palms. The dimension of the doll is approximately: (width x length x high = 3.8 x 5 x 5.5 (cm3)), excluding the arms. With the arms, the length of the doll is 7 (cm). The thickness of each arm is 1 (cm) and length is defined as 45 cm according to be matched with the body size.
As in the Huggy Suit (which simulates pressure on human body), there are one sensor on each side of shoulders, each side of upper arms and 4 sensors each for front and back of the body.
In this design, the arms of the doll is made to represent the child’s arms. The extruding part for joining to the body has a small tunnel inside for letting the sensor’s wires pass through into the doll body. Inside part of the arm is in hollow form to reduce the materials used. On the outside, the edges are rounded and smoothened to obtain friendly appearence.

Figure: Views of the arm

The body of the doll is made by joining two parts, left and right, which are symmetry. The purpose of breaking them into two is to reduce the difficulties of installing sensors and circuits on the doll and in the doll body.

Figure: Drawing of a half of the doll body

The body of the doll is hollow, which will house the circuits to send the data to the computer. The thickness of the body is set to 4 (mm) to be able to withstand the pressure given onto it.

Figure: View of Body (Below)

The overall look for the dool is as shown below, before mounting the sensors.

Figure: whole body of the Huggy Doll

Studying on Human Body Ratios

2008-12-22T14:48:00.001-08:00

http://www.jaconline.com.au/mathsquestwa/book2/downloads/investigations/MQWA2-body.pdf

CA2 Summery

2008-12-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

1. Simplified the user interface programs (VC++)
2. Redesigned QTC sensors (Hardware)
3. Designing the Pajama (2 methods)

Slides Summery . ..

CA2 Slide

Designing Inflatable Suit (In Progress)
Design 1:
In the Existing Jacket with stretchable pockets to embed the air pouches, the stretchable pockets are changed to

Design 2:
Contact Company: Choya Toys Company (China) www.chinaplushtoys.com
The Design Progress is in progress. The Drawing Design will be sent to the company to fabricate a suit for the Huggy Project.
Since this company has done various designs of inflatable suits, even for the 2008 Olympics, and Local Balloon Companies are unable to make such inflatable, we have concluded to order form this company.

This is some of the example suits that they have made.

New Program for Demos

2008-11-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

A new program is written to simplify the data transfar between the input device and the output circuit.

Initially, the data read from the doll (Bluetooth Dongle) was sent to the other computer to simulate haptic communication.
Now, the requirement of another execution in between two devices is eliminated.

As from the Bluetooth Doll of input side, the pressure Level from 0 to 255 (lowest to highest) is sent from the readings of 12 sensors. The data sent from the bluetooth doll is continuous with the format of [XS---S---S---S---S---S---S---S---S---S---S---S---], where --- are the applied pressure values onto the doll.
The computer which captures the bluetooth data will execute the data and differentiate the pressure values into 10 levels (0 to 9) and add into the command package.

The simple command package [X: Pressure Value: Y: Pressure Value: Z] is sent from the input part to the output device directly.

Figure : FlowChart of Updated Program

My teammate, Ben, has also reprogrammed the Output Device to act as stand alone except reading the commands from the Serial Com port of the computer.

Ideas on using BioMetal

2008-11-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

Biometal can contract into curvier shape when current is fed through it.
More Information

The following is the design of First Level: Using biometal to contract the cloth tube.

As in the following picture, the biometal thread can be put inside the tube-shaped fabric and feed the current through the metal to transform the metal into more curving shapes.

Figure 1 : Level 1 Design

The following is the design of Second Level: Using other material as medium

In this application, the biometal wire is used to pull the rods (made of some heat resistance material such as clay or ceramic) together to apply squeezing force on shoulders.
When current is fed trhough the bioMetal wire, it will pull the rods together and the shoulder pad will become more convex from resting positon.

Figure 2 : Level 2 Design

These can be put on the shoulders (and on other parts as well) of the huggy pajama.

Figure 3 : On the Clothing

Reference :

http://www.toki.co.jp/BioMetal/english/Contents.html
http://www.toki.co.jp/BioMetal/Video/index.html
http://www.toki.co.jp/BioMetal/english/qanda.html

04/11/2008 Meeting Minutes (Draft)

2008-11-04T02:22:00.000-08:00

Making use of BioMetal Material

This metal strands contract when current passes through.

Is it easier to control?

Idea: Finger Shaped Application to embed in the jacket

Problem: Heat insulating

Brainstorm for :

1. How to provide haptic feeling

2. Embed into mechanism (how to build small modules based on the strings)

Recommended Material, BMX up to 200% extension.

Shaped Memo Alloy

Next Meeting: Friday 1:30 to 2:30 pm

Prepare Sketches for this by Thursday.

To recharge Bluetooth device's battery

2008-10-30T03:56:00.000-07:00

Power Supply Setting : 5.6 V, I < 200mA ;

Connect in series with a 10 Ohm Resister;

Charge at least about 2 hours;

Specially Shaped Balloons

2008-10-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

Who can do these?
What is the price?
How to order?
How long will it take?

http://www.bezballoons.com/foil.htm

http://www.bezballoons.com/parade.htm

http://www.ballooneryinc.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Shelf/ASP/Hierarchy/02.html

Bez Balloons Pte Ltd
Location:No. 191, Ubi Avenue 4Evan Lim WarehouseSingapore 408799

Sales EnquiriesEmail: bezballoons@pacific.net.sg
Tel: (65) 6749 2913Fax: (65) 6742 0539

Balloons R us
http://www.balloonsrus.sg/index.php?cPath=33_74

BALLOONS R US
200 Turf Club Road, Turf City, #01-39A
Singapore 287994
TEL: 6314-2850
FAX: 6314-3643
EMAIL: sales@balloonsrus.sg

Preparing for Litriture Review

2008-10-22T01:20:00.000-07:00

Papar Title: Touch TV: Adding Feeling to broadcast media (2003)

It is stated that haptic feedback might play a role in interactive TV.
There is a need to develop devices for haptic interactions.

www.cutecircuit.com
Here got some ideas about touch interactive media. They already launched some products and planned future projects.

http://www.immersion.com/

.. to be continued ..

toys and child safety

2008-10-14T03:36:00.000-07:00

http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/safe_toys.html

http://www.pollutioninpeople.org/safer/products/kids-products

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&id=1797&np=305

http://toys.about.com/od/healthandsafety/bb/toysafetycheck.htm

Research for possible components

2008-10-08T22:53:00.001-07:00

flexible numeric keypads

http://cycertech.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008827230668/LargeImage/Flexible-Silicon-Numeric/product_id-1008643625/action-GetProduct.htm

http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Keyboard/Number-Keyboards/18-Key-USB-Numeric-Keypad-221100932.htm

Other Hug Products

http://www.cutecircuit.com/projects/wearables/thehugshirt/
But it is weird that the person hugs herself.

Sensors & Bear
http://www.guardit.com/bearhug/

Mounting Sensors on Bear

2008-10-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the Design I have thought of to mount the sensors on the bear's body in stead of putting them inside. The bare's jacket can be made of plastic to protect water, moisture and other environmental disturbances.

by this way, the shape and features of the toy can be more flexible and it only requires to wear the touch sensor jacket to sence and transfer the hug.

This is the sensor map to place on the toy's jacket. Depending on the size of the toy, the unit of sensors can be increased or decreased.
For this example bear, the sensors can be added as: 4 on front, 4 on back, 2 for each sides and 2 for each arm.
The wires from the sensors can be attached to the circuit from the back side of the jacket and the circuit box may be embedded inside the toy.

Meeting on Oct 2, Thursday

2008-10-07T00:32:00.000-07:00

It is required to come up with Demo Prototpye for communication,
with scientific evidence to support the result product.

1. Match Level of touch with sensors and air accuators
2. Check software to match in-out forces.

The serial data sent from bluetooth will reach to computer to read the input.
There will be sensors, bluetooth interface and sending signals to accuators.
(Try to get matching done by this week.)

for output part,
1. How to turn it into whole jacket
2. Hug Research
3. Practical consideration? type of jacket, material, layears, etc.

Next meeting on Wednesday 3~4 pm.

Thin-Sheet Sensors

2008-09-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

Here are the final product of touch sensors. (Please scroll to read more:)

This is how the sensor looks like before it is sealed.

The copper-tape conductors of two ends are designed as in picture. The QTC-sheet is placed facing onto the copper cathode and anode.

Then the paper is folded and pressure is applied onto the sheet (either sides), the QTC sheet increases conductivity.

After the sensors are tested, they are sealed with insulated tape. At this state, the sensors are ready to be used.

The sensors can also be sealed inside plastic bag to prevent sweat and moisture.
However, the sensitivity of sensors are better without plastic shields.

Caution: the unevenness of the copper surface and QTC sheet contact may cause noises for sensor readings. Therefore, it is important not to deform the shape of sensors.

The readings of the sensors from "Data-Loggin" User Interface.

The following information is calculated by Ben
*mean amplitude of N2 in microvolt
*

Touch/Neutral Picture 0.1742298

No-touch/Neutral Picture 0.0888162

Touch/Emotional Picture -0.3495196

No-touch/Emotional Picture 0.1841026

Standard Error:

Touch/Neutral Picture 0.2525383

No-touch/Neutral Picture 0.2361391

Touch/Emotional Picture 0.2417411

No-touch/Emotional Picture 0.2714810

*Mean Amplitude of P3** in microvolt*

Touch/Neutral Picture 5.172886

No-touch/Neutral Picture 6.453321

Touch/Emotional Picture 8.17384

No-touch/Emotional picture 7.649528

Standard error:

Touch/Neutral Picture0.2737855

No-touch/Neutral Picture 0.2689277

Touch/Emotional Picture 0.2880943

No-touch/Emotional picture 0.2793192

Begining of the touch sensor

2008-09-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

The touch sensor using QTC sheet is designed to respond human touch sensitively.
the contact electrodes are designed to place closed to each other where the QTC will conduct electricity when the pressure is applied.
The conductivity of QTC varies proportionally with the pressure.
The sensors are required to be as light as possible and need to be easily attached to the pressur-applying device of the jacket.
Thus, copper tapes, wire-wrapping wires and normal paper pieces are used to make the sensor. After that, the sensors are secured inside a thin transparent plastic bag.
At first, the sensitivity of the sensors are unstable. The problem was caused by unevenness of the soldiered joint with the copper and the thin wire.
The wires should also be long enough to be able to embed it below the jacket.
The circuit diagram of the sensor-pair is as follow (According to voltage-divider rule):

The resister values of R1 and R2 are 47k Ohm each. Sensor's sensitivity is directly proportional to the resistance of R1 and R2.
The measuring point of each sensor is at the joint with the sensor and resistor.
When pressure is applied at one sensor, the material will conduct electricity and the reading will be between 0 to 5 Volts. The more pressure applied, QTC material will be more conductive.

Improved Communication

2008-09-01T22:23:00.000-07:00

Social communication involves showing and understanding emotions with gesture, voice and words, touch and look.
Touching each other is a way to enhance the communication between human. When friends or relatives are staying in different countries, keeping in touch with them on the screens (which can only deliver voice and look) may seem less emotional.
Through a webcam, voice call or chat, people can see or hear each other, however, it is only inside a boundary of computer screen.
Especially, for children with busy parents, they may have contact with parents through phone or internet but they may not pay attention. The child can think what he/she viewing is some kind of show. It would be better if parents and children can touch each other through internet.
To make this dreams come true, we're implementing the Internet Pajama Project which senses and transfer human touch.

On one side, there will be something like a bear to represent the other party and the sensors embedded on it will capture and send the touch to the other side.

On the other side, there will be a jacket which will be made with actuators to simulate the touch on each side of arms and the body.

Each side of the parties will be having one jacket and one bear to communicate with each other.

Trouble-shooting

2008-08-25T22:26:00.000-07:00

When James was away, Cherith helped us to reassemble the input kit for User Test.

According to the diagram, we connected the modules, and tested.
Inside the input acceptor box, there are 4 parts, power supply, pressure sensor, circuit, controller circuit and RS232 connectors.

Each RS232 head is conncted to Log computer and Presentation Computer.
Log monitors the input value from the pressure sensor.
Presentation PC reads the signal sent from the input side and gives commands to the output arm-band to inflate or deflate.

Project Pajama EE3789

2008-08-24T23:55:00.000-07:00

Proposal Code 3789
Title Affective and emotional communication toolkit
Synopsis Communication is one of the most fundamental needs and desire of human beings. The
convergence of the Internet, broadband and mobile devices make remote communication
easily available, even while on the move. In human communications, body gestures, and
touch can sometimes more deeply explain the intended mind and provide intrinsic
information. Our research seeks to propose and develop communication methods that allow
for affective, emotional and individual expressions.
In this project, students will develop a simple toolkit that allows users to easily make their
own affective communication interface. This communication interface should work in a "plug
and play" manner with existing mobile devices. Students are to demonstrate with a few types
simple, self-made interface using this toolkit to communicate between two people.
Skills required: Embedded systems, hardware programming, C++ or Java
Nature Innovative
Pre-requisite Embedded systems, hardware programming, C++ or Java

First Meeting with Mentor at the Lab

2008-08-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

Mr. James Teh K S
given seniors thesis to have more idea about the project.
I will be taking care of the Input part of this cyber-jacket-like device.

The Mixed Reality Lab (MXR) is located at the back of LT7.

I'll be concentrating on Developing the Input side of this Project.
My title is Affective and Emotional Communication toolkit.

Meanwhile, I need to help rewiring the disambled tool kit and arm-band of pajama for UserTest Program.