DIVA Group – University of Fribourg

Phidgets and the programming framework

HMI SeminarTangible User Interfaces

F. Evequoz

23.12.2005

DIVA Group – University of Fribourg

summary ::

• traditional physical UI– examples– problems

• phidgets– goals– definition– architecture– API– java API– programming– applications

• references– bibliography– programming resources

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traditional physical UI ::examples

Walking pad (DIUF)

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traditional physical UI ::examples

Lego Mindstorms

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traditional physical UI ::examples

SmartHome

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traditional physical UI ::problems

1. electronics2. missing API3. unsuited API4. commercial target5. lack of simulation capabilities

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phidgets ::goals

• simple devices• easy to program

… just as widgets make GUIs easy to develop, so could phidgets make the new generation of physical user interfaces

easy to develop.

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phidgets ::definition

• widget – (1931) small mechanical

device– (today) ‘windows gadget’

• phidget (aka phydget)– ‘physical widget’

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phidgets ::definition

Phidgets™, or physical widgets, are building blocks that help a developer construct physical user interfaces.

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phidgets ::architecture

Device

Device manager

API

Simulation

Phidget

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phidgets ::architecture

Device

Device manager

API

Simulation

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phidgets ::API

Int CountPhidget[] Item

OnAttach()OnDetach()OnError()

DeviceTypeIsAttached

SerialNumber

Phidget-specific properties, e.g.

NumMotorsPhidget-specific

events, e.g.OnTag

Generic phidget

Specific phidget

Phidgets manager

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phidgets ::java API

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phidgets ::java API

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phidgets ::programming (output)

Phidget COM Object

Application

creates

Device

opens

sets

sets

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phidgets ::programming (input)

Phidget COM Object

Listener

Application

creates

Device

opens

readsfire events

starts

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phidgets ::programming

Implement OnEvent methods

Create COM ObjectAttach Listener

Open connection to device

Extend adapter

Start listening

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phidgets ::applications

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phidgets ::applications

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phidgets ::applications

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references ::bibliography• Greenberg S. and Fitchet C., Phidgets : Easy developement

of physical interfaces through physical widgets. Proceedings of the ACM UIST 2001 Symposium.

• Greenberg S. and Boyle M., Customizable physical interfaces for interacting with conventional applications. Proceedings of the ACM UIST 2002 Symposium.

• www.phidgets.com, www.phidgetsusa.com• www.wikipedia.org (phidget, widget)• www.smarthome.com, www.legomindstorms.com • Laroussi Bouguila, Evequoz Florian, Michèle Courant, Béat

Hirsbrunner. Active Walking Interface for Human-Scale Virtual Environment. HCII’05.

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references::programming resources• documentation on www.phidgets.com :

– C_API_Manual : basic architecture• http://phidgets.com/documentation/C_API_Manual.pdf

– COM_API_Manual : object model (VB)• http://phidgets.com/documentation/COM_API_Manual.pdf

– Javadoc : java API, quite similar to COM• http://phidgets.com/documentation/JavaDoc.zip

– For each particular phidget see its « hardware description » :• Section labelled « Phidgets » on www.phidgets.com >>

Documentation• software introduction and tutorials :

• www.phidgets.com >> Documentation• http://www.phidgetsusa.com/tutorials/tutorialhome.asp

• code examples :• www.phidgets.com >> Download >> Beta >> Examples.zip• www.phidgets.com >> Project / Examples