Project 4 & Visualization

We made a lot of physical modifications to our puppet.  Each modification was in response to suggestions we received in our P2.  The list below shows some of the changes:

• Changed eyes for an older appearance
• Added Styrofoam base to give puppet an obvious overall cone shape
• Simplified rod controls to allow operation by one puppeteer.
• Mounted all sensors on wooden base.

Puppet Redesigned

Component Mounting Board

Here is our Processing visualization displaying the functionality of our puppet sensors: 

Puppet Redesign Continues

Last week we had the opportunity to present possible scene scenario's based on the behaviors of our puppets. I have redone the frame of our puppet to make it more robust and will be obtaining an appropriate outfit for our "Old Lady" puppet.  From a DATA standpoint,  I will update the XML communication protocol once I have remounted the accelerometer at the base of the puppet's skull.  I am concerned with the timelines for our deliverable, as I am performing all of these tasks alone.  I will add pictures of my progress later.

Character Scenarios

Our puppet has a lot of redesign work.  I am going to build the frame to make it more robust.  In addition, we were advised to remove a few of the sensors to make the puppet much more simple to operate/understand.  The redesign document will accompany our P4 next week.

Below are our P3 Character Scenarios:

Characters

Old Lady, Gangster, Cat, Security Guard, Small Boy

Physical Attributes & Behaviors

Old Lady:  Walks with Cane and blushes.

Gangster:  Short, Moves Head up and down, Smokes Cigar.

Security Guard:  Large stature shines flashlight.

Small Boy:  Licks Lollypop.  Mischievous.

Cat:  Black shadow, eyes glow.

Musical Accompaniment

Genre:  Jazz

Musician:  Miles Davis

Album:  Kind of Blue

Song:  All Blues

Scenarios (Textual Description)

Scene 1:  (Old Lady & Small Boy)

Total scene time: (1min 10 sec)

(0:04 – 0:14) Lights dim to start the show

(0:14 -0:24) Old Lady Enters and walks towards the painting

(0:24 – 0:47) Old lady looks up and down at painting.

(0:47 - 0:59)  Small Boy enters & Old Lady blushes

(0:59 – 1:10) Old Lady Character Leaves

Scene 2:  (Small Boy & Cat)

Total scene time:  (40 sec)

(1:10 – 1:31)  Little boy licks candy.

(1:31 – 1:50)  Boy gestures at painting

(1:39 – 1:50)  Little boy leaves scene

Scene 3:  (Gangster & Cat)

Total scene time:  (2min 10 sec)

(1:51 – 2:13) Gangster enters

(2:13 – 2:24) Gangster evaluates painting & lights up cigar.

(2:24 – 2:51) Gangster moves to other side of painting to evaluate from different angle.

(2:51 – 3:23)  Gangster lights up cigar again and raises head up and down, as if he has a sneaky idea.

(3:23 – 3:53)  Cat bursts onto the scene, lights eyes & startles the Gangster trying to look at painting.  Gangster Jumps is startled and leaves scene.

(3:53 – 4:01)  Gangster leaves scene

(9 sec pause in action)

Scene 4:  (Security Guard, Cat, Old Lady)

Total scene time:  (1min 50 sec)

(4:10  – 4:41) Cat jumps all around the space flashing lights and moving all over the place. 

(4:41 – 5:08)  Security guard enters & shines light in different directions looking for source of the disturbance.

(5:08 – 5:41)  Old lady slow walks out onto the stage looking around, as if she is lost.

(5:41 – 6:00)  Security Guard escorts the old lady off the stage & music fades out until silent @ 6:00pm

Working Physical & Sensor Design

*Sigh*

We finally have a working prototype.  Following a general design process that states goals and defines constraints actually does work. :-)   Our puppet took on several different physical forms before we settled on our final design.  We cam across a few circuitry issues including a failing: flex sensor and LED.  This video below sums up the process:

Below is picture of the final physical puppet design.  The sensory/mechanical design process is iterative and modifications will be made after our review with our instructor.