GMU:Printed Circuit Board Art/mxkllmnn: Difference between revisions

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Mxkllmnn

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 '''Theme to be found:'''
-This design also led to my first project idea: Adaptors. That is because modern (read: Apple) computers (mine included) exist in a dream world where all its peripherals work with USB type C, whereas I find myself in the reality of 2022, where they do not. Everywhere I go I have to take many different adaptors to make my computer (that obviously supports USB type C only) work. So the idea was to have a unicorn (read: Swiss Army knife) to help out. [[File:swinehorn_original.jpg|800px]]
+The unicorn also led to my first project idea: Adaptors. That is because modern (read: Apple) computers (mine included) exist in a dream world where all its peripherals work with USB type C, whereas I find myself in the reality of 2022, where they do not. Everywhere I go I have to take many different adaptors to make my computer (that obviously supports USB type C only) work. So the idea was to have a unicorn (read: Swiss Army knife) to help out. [[File:swinehorn_original.jpg|800px]]
 Unfortunately, when I tore down one of the adaptors available at the local electronics market, I found <I>myself</i> in a dream world. This time I realized that I do not have the electrical engineering degree I needed to understand the not-as-easy-as-I-thought circuitry of connecting different interface systems (HDMI/SD/Audio Jack/USB-A to USB-C). Even though it seems rather simple to transmit signals through copper traces, many components are necessary in between, if their ends do not speak the same language. From the picture one can see that there is at least one IC per interface, as well as quartz to translate between signals of different frequencies, not to speak of numerous capacitors, resistors, and regulators. So I started all over again.
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 '''The SwitchSwitch Concept:'''
-When dismissing the first idea because it was not feasible for me in the time given, it seemed to be a good idea to work on something that already exists (or is in the making at least), namely the prototype I will be using as a platform for my thesis.
+When dismissing the first idea because it was not feasible for me in the time given, it seemed to be a good idea to work on something that already exists (or is in the making at least), namely the prototype, which I will be using as a platform for my thesis.
-Very briefly, I wrack my head around systems whose user interfaces had to be modified as the result of process automation. In most cases, if the cybernetic loop of control and display is being altered, a transformation of the underlying system’s user interface is implicit. In home automation, for example, this has led to the disappearance of well-established interfaces and now all too often leaves us frustrated [https://www.busch-jaeger.de/fileadmin/_processed_/c/7/csm_Systeme_free%40home_Image_1920x800_108960d603.jpeg]. So I am exploring alternatives to popular but dystopian smart home futures, or: How to teach old switches new tricks.
+Very briefly, I wrack my head around systems whose user interfaces had to be modified as the result of process automation. In most cases, if the cybernetic loop of control and display is being altered, a transformation of the underlying system’s user interface is implicit. In home automation, for example, this has led to the disappearance of well-established interfaces (read: Switches) and now all too often leaves us frustrated [https://www.busch-jaeger.de/fileadmin/_processed_/c/7/csm_Systeme_free%40home_Image_1920x800_108960d603.jpeg]. So I am exploring alternatives to popular but dystopian smart home futures, or: How to teach old switches new tricks.
 One idea for this course was to introduce capacitive touch areas – a formation of discrete sensor pads, sliders, or a matrix (see sketches below) – to the surface and the frame of a conventional switch, where the PCB itself serves as the cover. By that, one would extend the switch’s binary characteristic and broaden the repertoire of input gestures.
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-However, I soon realised that such a modification would undermine exactly what I am trying to preserve – the switching mechanism’s inherent psychophysical feedback that makes this kind of interface so appealing. Because the problem I am addressing is the replacement of great user interfaces (read: Switches, which are much more in line with our human sensory nature) by touch displays. This was an obvious choice, especially with regard to automation, as graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are much easier to integrate due to their ability to react to system changes simply by programming, whereas physical switches do not respond automatically. So the idea to have a remotely switchable switch was born, hence the working title SwitchSwitch. Furthermore, by temporarily decoupling the switch from the circuit of the object to be turned on or off and putting a microcontroller in between, the (automated) system becomes capable of utilizing the acoustic, visual and haptic signals evoked via the usage of its interface to articulate intent (at least this is the hypothesis to be confirmed). The SwitchSwitch prototype functions as a platform to design output gestures made of sequences of clicks in combination with flickering lights as means of communication. To do so a conventional switch has been equipped with some more advanced technology. Now this project is about turning this technology into an appropriate form.
+However, I soon realised that such a modification would undermine exactly what I am trying to preserve – the switching mechanism’s inherent psychophysical feedback that makes this kind of interface so appealing. Such feedback is in vain with touch displays that replace great user interfaces, which are actually much more in line with our human sensory nature. With regard to automation, going for graphical user interfaces (GUIs) is an obvious choice, as these are much easier to integrate due to their ability to react to system changes simply by programming, whereas physical switches do not respond automatically. So the idea to have a remotely switchable switch was born, hence the working title SwitchSwitch. Furthermore, by temporarily decoupling the switch from the circuit of the object to be turned on or off and putting a microcontroller in between, the (automated) system becomes capable of utilizing the acoustic, visual and haptic signals evoked via the usage of its interface to articulate intent (at least this is the hypothesis to be confirmed). The SwitchSwitch prototype functions as a platform to design output gestures made of sequences of clicks in combination with flickering lights as means of communication. To do so a conventional switch has been equipped with some more advanced technology. Now this project is about turning this technology into an appropriate form.
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