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INTRODUCTION

Remember looks at mobile communication through Bluetooth devices as well as the community of mobile objects present on our bodies on a daily basis.

One goal of this project is to comment on the dependence we have developed on these external elements. By allowing them to converse with each other, we play with the notion of bringing them to life, and creating a second skin.

Secondly, we also attempt to protect our digital skin through a layer of noise created by their conversation, as well as a layer of physical switches to determine their presence/absence.

Overview
There are 4 main elements: Nokia 6630 cell phone (Bluetooth enabled), set of keys with a Bluetooth keychain, a wallet also embedded with a Bluetooth, and a coat containing a circuit of switches, LEDs for visual feedback and a third Bluetooth modem.

The user wears the jacket, snaps her devices in place within the pockets which are wired to the jacket's main circuit. The circuit is first enabled and lights one LED to confirm power is on. Snapping the devices in sets the switches to the ON position, and 3 LEDs will glow in a soft glowing pattern (PWM) to represent that everything is in place. Should a device be removed, its respective LED will blink rapidly to alert its absence.

Near the pockets are another set of LEDs which correspond to the Bluetooth conversation. As long as all of the devices are conversing via Bluetooth, the jacket is aware of this by receiving serial communication from the phone via a Python script. In turn, it lights these LEDs in a steady pattern to convey this status. Should conversation be interrupted, this pattern will stop and one LED is assigned to blink in a slower pattern to let the user know that the jacket's chip is awaiting serial communication to resume.

Challenges

  • Understanding the layers of Bluetooth technology and its implementation in cellphones, laptops and other commonly used devices
  • Learning Python scripting for mobile applications
  • Deciding on a physical system to check for presence/absence (what type of switches to use that would suit the approach and not be too cumbersome)
  • Selecting feedback to convey presence/absence and Bluetooth conversation
  • Moving beyond the breadboard (perf, PCB)
  • Time - attempting to assemble the digital and physical layers of the project, and integrate them successfully with each other

Research / Process
We researched both Bluetooth technology and users' behaviors in regards to checking for their external devices (phone, keys, wallet, etc.).

Goals

  • Refine Python code to run in the background, so other applications of the phone can still be used
  • Parse an actual conversation amongst the devices
  • Move to majority of components to Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
  • Surface mount components
  • Improve battery connection/mounts for BlueSMiRF on keychain and wallet
  • Encase keychain BlueSMiRF
  • Optimize PicBasic code as needed

 

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