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<pictures are temporary dropped>
Preparing user test
I've visited the Henri Viscardi School last Thursday to test my second prototype. Before I met K, I prepared a switch, a pieace of velcro for attaching it to a wheelchair, a mount for wheelchair that a gorilla tripod would be attached to.
K was so excited and he looked carefully whole preparation I did.
* Here are some pictures he took using the camera and some pictures were taken by me. All pictures in this entry were permitted to use. I couldn't post wonderful pictures of him with a full of smile. I hope I can get a permission later. The pictures he took were just resized and not retouched.
Start taking a picture
 
* the very first picture K took. * I asked him to take me. (Thank you K)
He couldn't wait to take pictures. Just right after I finished setting, he started to press the switch for releasing a shutter before I gave him instructions how to use it.
Different pictures of the same model
 
* moved toward a model
After taking the left picture, I said to him how about took larger portrait of her. Then, he moved toward her and adjusted a right and left direction.
Taking a Portrait
* portrait of his operational therapist (even though I got a permission, I mosaicked.)
To take this picture, he tried found a good background and asked her to sit. The bendable tripod on the mount and the blue switch on the left side were shown in this picture.
Learning a technique for better picture
 
* shaken * unshaken
He was so excited that he didn't stop moving his body after releasing the shutter. Since an actual releasing the shutter happens two seconds after pressing a switch for avoiding the shaking, the pictures were shaken. I told him keep calm for a better quality picture and he followed it well.
Testing a mobility
 
* (resized and mosaicked) * the picture he took
K, his operational therapist, his physical therapist and I walked around in the school with him to take pictures. The one of main concerns of this project was a mobility, and it was successful. Many students who encountered with us also loved the camera system.
Stepping closer to his wish
* His favorite pictures of the day.
One of hallways was a little crowded but he tried to take this picture. The camera system didn't have move up and down function yet so I raised the angle for him. After whole picture-taking tour with him, he asked me to send this picture to his email account. (He had a verbal disability so it also took long time to catch what he wanted.) His OT said, he was expressing he had his wish.
After photographing
After he took lots of pictures, we downloaded them to a laptop and looked through the pictures together. He used a joystick to move forward and back to see photos as never stopping his smile.
User tesing continued
I also tested with three other students. Because I used the bendable tripod and a standard socket for switches, the system was able to use by all of them.
 
* front side * back side
Not only K but every students were enjoying to take pictures especially of their teachers. One of them wanted to take one of her teachers and we needed to move around the school to find her.
Feedback
1. Students as well as teachers were so happy and one of them said she was totally speechless.
2. Now the system has just one switch. If I add a zoom function, the number of buttons will become three (or two). And, the moving up-and-down functions also need additional buttons. The therapists recommended me to use fewer switches because too many switches were not good for most students. So I should consider the trade-off of functions and usability.
3. When I said a motor would be one of solutions for moving camera up-and-down, they recommended me to use a lower tech device such as mechanical one rather than electrical one. Using low tech means a better device for maintenance .
4. They requested the instructions how they make the same system such as a model of camera and a remote controller. And, they asked me a lot about the remote controller hacking part.
As I wrote the previous entry, I will use gentled devices for a future system because the therapists of the school wanted a sustainable product rather than an one-time product.
Future Plan
1. test gentled
2. build viewer software
3. finish auto-files-download script
4. combine #2 and #3 software in a single program
5. make multiple user version of #4 program
6. make a professional version of whole system. (using Canon SDK including various functions such as white balance, aperture, exposure and ISO)
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(Click a picture to see bigger one.)
For the Camera For K project, I hacked the Canon WL-DC100 Wireless Controller so that disabilities can operate a camera using their familiar input devices such as a big switch button, a joystick and a touch switch button. Here is the process of it.
1. Preparing Step
 
* smaller than expected * using 3V CR 2025 battery
 
* no signal * emitting signal
A remote controller usually uses Infra Red (IR) LED that we can't see with our eyes but can see through a camera. BUT, DO NOT BELIEVE THIS. I saw an IR signal but, the remote controller didn't work at all. It worked after changing a battery.
2. Start Hacking
 
* Uncover the button surface * Back side of the board
I opened to figure out how I could hack this. The front side was so simple, it seemed just closing the circuit would be work perfect. But, the back side looked I couldn't solder by my hand because every part was too tiny as well as hard to find the connection status.
* schematic of the switch circuit.
I tested the circuit and found that I didn't need 16 wires (8 button x 2 wires/button) but, only 7 wires becuase buttons were sharing the connections.
3. Soldering - totally struggled
 
* first piece * using guidance of solder
The part using for the original button didn't have good surface for soldering. Therefore I uncovered the coating with fine-metal-wool so that make it better for solder and then covered with hot glue.(left pic) At first time, it seemed fine but turned out very unstable connection.
I've tried several alternative methods such as put guidance of solder. (right pic) It also failed.
* forced the wire (with tape in this picture)
The next thing I tried was physically pressing the wire after soldering to attach firmly with the surface. It worked well so I went further step.
* took IR LED out from the remote controller
I re-wired IR LED by unsoldering and soldering so that I can just attach LED rather than whole remote controller to a camera. BUT, in this step, the remote controller was broken. I think I burned the circuit.
4. Final product and test
 
* Testing * connect to 1/8" female socket
Finally, I made the same one with a new remote controller and tested successfully. Then, I connected the wires to 1/8" female mono audio socket for making an interface to connect with switches that the kids and the school already had and were familiar with. For examples,
 
* jelly bean switch (?) * microlite switch
5. Future Plan
Since, the connection is somehow unstable, I need to find better solutions. I researched with the keywords, "remote controller hack", and I got these results that described how to hack IR signal and make own remote controller.
http://www.thenorth.com/APBLOG4.nsf/0/5826429868D4A610852570E7001273D9
http://features.engadget.com/2004/07/27/how-to-turn-your-ipod-in-to-a-universal-infrared-remote-control/
http://www.gogglemarks.net/index.php?action=display&tag=irclock
http://users.tkk.fi/~jwagner/electr/d70remote/
http://www.chantalcurrid.com/remoteControl.htm
I also found this excellent product. - gentled. I will use devices for future products because the therapists of the school wanted a sustainable product rather than an one-time product. I will write more about this issue soon.
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Today, I placed on order a Canon Powershot G1 and a Canon WL-DC100 Wireless Controller for the Camera4K project. Here is some notes about it.
I used this Logitech Quick Cam Notebook Deluxe webcam for the prototype. (spec link, Korean) It's 1 mega pixel and maximum resolution is 640x480.
Difficulty in working with a digital camera
As I wrote before(Plan for a real camera), I tried to buy a Canon Powershot G1 digital camera. And yesterday, I tested a Canon Powershot S50 with Canon Remote Capture to see how the software works and how I can design a program for my client. After a quick review, I concluded that using a digital camera with the Remote Capture is much more difficult than using a webcam.
Webcam vs. Digital Camera
I also found a very good webcam today, so the question "Does compact digital camera really need?" was came to me. Here is some simple specs and pros&cons of them.
Microsoft VX-6000
5 mega pixel, 2560 x 2048 / $72~80 (new one via froogle)
pros: better quality, easy to use, cheap
cons: doesn't look like camera, always need labtop
Canon Powershot G1
3.3 mega pixel, 2048 x 1435 / $100~200 (used via eBay)
pros: able to use w/o laptop, more functions
cons: need more job for combining software
Since my client just wants to take a picutre and make a year book, I think this project doens't really need a Canon Powershot, the highend compact digital camera. In addition, recent webcam has a good enough quality to take a picutre for develop and print.
However, my client is fascinated in the "Canon Powershot" model, and a webcam doesn't look like a camera. Moreover, if I use a digital camera, then users can take a picture without connecting to laptop or software.
Finally, I decided to buy a real digital camera. I bought it at eBay today.
(c) photos from microsoft.com, danawa.com
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Now, it's time for making the system with a real Canon digital camera. (little bit late...) Simple diagram is like this: Joystick & Buttons -> (wire) -> Remote Controller -> (wireless) -> Camera -> (wire) -> Laptop
In the previous prototype, I only used a webcam and a simple program built in processing. But, I noticed that if I use a real camera, I should change many things. Anyway, here are a suitable solution that I researched.
Software Part
This PSRemote can give me a control of a camera from a Windows PC. But, it seems it has lots of functions so I need some kind of wrapper program which only has very simple functions of it.
In addition, I found that there is a Canon Digital Camera Software Developers Kit (SDK). The PSRemote program is also based on this SDK. I sent the request for SDK, but I couldn't receive response from Canon yet. And, here is a community of a wrapper of Canon SDK written in C#, Canon SDK II.
Remote Capture which is a program that enables connection between PC and Camera is available from Canon site. (Download Library > Drivers / Software > RemoteCapture v2.7.5 for Windows )
Canon Remote Capture (click to see some descriptions)
Remote Controller Part
As I mentioned before, I can hack Canon WL-DC100 Wireless Controller to control the camera. It gives me all functions I need such as zoom lens, shoot, and move forward or backward the images in replay mode.
Camera Choice
Remote Controller above is only available for specific Canon Powershot model such as G1, G2, G3, G5, G6, Pro 1, Pro 90 IS, Pro70, S1 IS, S60, and S70. Remote Capture software supports these models.
Considering with the specs and the prices through the Internet(Korean digital camera expert website and market), Canon Powershot G1 is the best option for this project.
Shopping List
- Canon Powershot G1 (w/ memory, battery, battery charger, and cable)
- Canon WL-DC100 Wireless Controller
- stores: B&H, Adorama, and J&R |
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Wireless remote controller compatible with the Canon Powershot S60, G1, G2, G3, G5, and Pro 1.
shutter, zoom in/out, etc
The original Gorillapod is ideal for point-and-shoot compact digital cameras weighing up to 275 grams (9.7 oz). http://www.joby.com/gp1.html |
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Last Tuesday, I visited the HVS school again with the prototype of my Camera4K project. Honestly, I should have made more during spring break but I only added some audio such as a camera burst sound from a canon powershot my client loves, and redesigned interface so that to be used easily without any additional instructions.
Prototype
 
album mode shooting mode
(click to see some descriptions)
Interface
 
There was a hardware problem that all of the joysticks, keyboards and buttons the HVS school had for kids didn't use an USB connection that was an only hardware interface for my laptop. However, my prototype works with all kind of keyboard emulators so I used another joystick with an USB interface and JoyToKey software.
 
K, my client, and J tested the prototype. J also used an auto-electric-wheelchair and he used a stick with gum at the end of it to press buttons for operate a computer. My laptop crashed several times by unknown reasons. However, K and J tested it well.
Without any instructions, K started to take a picture with a joystick and a on-screen keyboard. He took pictures and typed captions of them. Because he used only the joystick and the big button, he couldn't use the prototype fast, but he could operate it with the same speed as his web browsing.
After taking several pictures, K suddenly moved his left hand to his jaws difficulty and then moved his right hand more difficultly to push the button to take a picture. The scene was very impressive and his face in the picture was full of joy.
I promised him make a better camera system. A therapist of him said that he shouted, "THAT'S SO COOL" when he went out from the room with her.
Next Step
- prepare and change the program for various input devices and computers
- add a delete function, add a save images function
- make a profile function and each one's own album
- make an interface for the flickr website
- research the camera part and get one |
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I visited Henry Viscardi School last week and met a boy who was very excited with a camera. He uses wheelchair, moves unsteady and can't speak, but shows very exciting emotion whenever he listens to words related to a camera such as a camera, a flash, an album and taking a picture.
I always had a question whenever I visited hospitals or schools for disabilites that were well equipped and had many staffs including occupational therapists as well as physical therapists. "Ok, here is very good for them. But, what they can do after this institution?"
If I make a camera interface that can be operated well by him, then he will have an opportunity to be a photographer, or have a good hobby at least.
Target User
1. user: K(anonymity) at HVS, therapists and K's family
2. K:
- 15 years old boy
- Electric Power Wheelchair
- Spasmodic movement
- Speech impediment
- Passion for photography
= want to have a camera
= want to take a picture with it
= want to make an album
3. What can K do? (about an hour of observation)
- Listen and answer w/ moving body or making a small sound
- Control auto-wheelchair w/ left hand
- Computer, Internet w/ joystick, button
= type w/ screen keyboard and big button
= ex: type "canon powershot” at MSN image search
Tasks to bulid and to solve
1. functions related to camera
- Take a picture
- Make a caption
- Delete a picture
- View pictures
- Upload pictures (ex: Flickr)
- Make his own ablum page
2. How can I avoid a shaking when he press a button?
- put waiting time between "button pressed/released" and "taking a picture"
- use other body parts to press switches such as head, knee, or foot.
System Overview
Prototype of Editing Software
- need to change several points
= make easily change the size of program window
= make font bigger
= write complete sentence to avoid confusion
= Next/Previous navigation function
= put sound to every operation
= so on.
Similar project before
1. "Wheelchair Camera Stand"(pdf) at National Science Foundation 2005 Engineering Senior Design Projects to Aid Persons with Disabilities
- Camera Mount for a disabled person
= No use of legs, left arm, only limited use of right arm and hand due to cerebral palsy
= Passion for photography and is hoping to start own digital imaging business
future plan
1. How about to move a camera?
- servo motors
2. Usage of joint arm to attach a camera
Some questions I will send to the school
1. Questions for making prototype.
Q. Can K read a book and turn a page by himself?
Q. What resolution are you using on computer monitors for students?
Q. Can K use other body parts to press a switch rather than his right hand?
I saw other students use their heads or knees to press switches.
2. Just for my curious.
Q. How and when do therapists know K loves camera?
Q. How long does he take to learn to operate computer?
3. Discarded questions.
Q. Can I use power from wheelchair, maybe a battery?
Q. Does K have any experience about a camera, taking a picture or seeing an album before?
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Commented by John S at 2007/04/24 15:29 
