Phys. Comp Midterm: Implementation / User Observations

For our midterm in Phys. Comp - my group decided to take on the task of breaking up the boredom which happens when waiting for an elevator. Petra, Sunghun, and myself set up what we had completed for the project this far the first time -- with mixed results. It is clear that we have a lot of implementation issues to resolve before getting the type of user interaction data we need for the later stages of polishing usability.


Fig 1.1: Will (me) interacting with camera.

Implementation Issues/Observations

1. The projector, if angled from the ceiling, will display a distorted shape due to the light being shot at an angle.

2. The image being shot through the projector does not immediately fit in the space of the door. The video can be clipped, but the light (although black) still shows up.

3. Even if the projector is raised up on the ceiling; the light from the projector will be blocked by people standing directly in front of the door.

4. There is no (reasonable) way of preventing significant light pollution at any given time because we are unable to strictly control the pubic environment, and we are bound by the collective lumen value the given projector can output.

5. We do not yet have a good solution for binding the light-blocking module to the projector – although this likely has a simple solution.

6. Due to the central and elevated nature of both the camera and the projector, light/motion recursion through the camera is very likely to occur unless steps are taken to filter an area – which has its consequences that will result in trade-offs likely too severe to compromise over.

7. The location of the crank has to be outside the field of the camera and projector. It is possible to have the crank located right in the middle, within the camera range but not obstructing the projector light - but this will mean that the user of the crank will be the focus of the image, which may create static results.

8. Due to the environment we are contained in, the projector will have to be turned sideways to establish the amount of vertical space needed to cover the door.


User Issues/Observations

1. Users are drawn to the computer if it is out in the open. They seem to glance at the projected image, then want to look “behind the curtain” at the computer screen. The computer should be hidden from view.

2. Users seem to want to view the projected image by being in front of it, just as people watch television.

3. People stepping out of the elevator (or stepping in) do not particularly enjoy being blasted in the face by the projector light. (this issue has been solved, however).

4. The moment seems fleeting when people interact, people interact and a result is presented, then instantly replaced by a new result. This does promote a sense of real-time, but doesn’t reward


Fig 1.2: Software cutting out background, leaving only the person displayed.


Fig 1.3: Petra using a crank which drives the projected image up and down.