Eric Brockmeyer

Printed optics: 3D printing of embedded optical elements for interactive devices

We present an approach to 3D printing custom optical elements for interactive devices labelled Printed Optics. Printed Optics enable sensing, display, and illumination elements to be directly embedded in the casing or mechanical structure of an interactive device. Using these elements, unique display surfaces, novel illumination techniques, custom optical sensors, and embedded optoelectronic components can be digitally fabricated for rapid, high fidelity, highly customized interactive devices. Printed Optics is part of our long term vision for interactive devices that are 3D printed in their entirety. In this paper we explore the possibilities for this vision afforded by fabrication of custom optical elements using todays 3D printing technology.

PAPILLON: designing curved display surfaces with printed optics

We present a technology for designing curved display surfaces that can both display information and sense two dimensions of human touch. It is based on 3D printed optics, where the surface of the display is constructed as a bundle of printed light pipes, that direct images from an arbitrary planar image source to the surface of the display. This effectively decouples the display surface and image source, allowing to iterate the design of displays without requiring changes to the complex electronics and optics of the device. In addition, the same optical elements also direct light from the surface of the display back to the image sensor allowing for touch input and proximity detection of a hand relative to the display surface. The resulting technology is effective in designing compact, efficient displays of a small size; this has been applied in the design of interactive animated eyes.

3D Printing Pneumatic Device Controls with Variable Activation Force Capabilities

We explore 3D printing physical controls whose tactile response can be manipulated programmatically through pneumatic actuation. In particular, by manipulating the internal air pressure of various pneumatic elements, we can create mechanisms that require different levels of actuation force and can also change their shape. We introduce and discuss a series of example 3D printed pneumatic controls, which demonstrate the feasibility of our approach. This includes conventional controls, such as buttons, knobs and sliders, but also extends to domains such as toys and deformable interfaces. We describe the challenges that we faced and the methods that we used to overcome some of the limitations of current 3D printing technology. We conclude with example applications and thoughts on future avenues of research.

PaperID: A Technique for Drawing Functional Battery-Free Wireless Interfaces on Paper

We describe techniques that allow inexpensive, ultra-thin, battery-free Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to be turned into simple paper input devices. We use sensing and signal processing techniques that determine how a tag is being manipulated by the user via an RFID reader and show how tags may be enhanced with a simple set of conductive traces that can be printed on paper, stencil-traced, or even hand-drawn. These traces modify the behavior of contiguous tags to serve as input devices. Our techniques provide the capability to use off-the-shelf RFID tags to sense touch, cover, overlap of tags by conductive or dielectric (insulating) materials, and tag movement trajectories. Paper prototypes can be made functional in seconds. Due to the rapid deployability and low cost of the tags used, we can create a new class of interactive paper devices that are drawn on demand for simple tasks. These capabilities allow new interactive possibilities for pop-up books and other papercraft objects.

A low-friction passive fluid transmission and fluid-tendon soft actuator

We present a passive fluid transmission based on antagonist pairs of rolling diaphragm cylinders. The transmission fluid working volume is completely sealed, forming a closed, passive system, ensuring input-output symmetry and complete backdrivability. Rolling diaphragm-sealed cylinders provide leak-free operation without the stiction of a traditional sliding seal. Fluid pressure preloading allows for bidirectional operation and also serves to preload the gears or belts in the linear-to-rotary output coupler, eliminating system backlash end-to-end. A prototype transmission is built and tested for stiffness, bandwidth, and frictional properties using either air or water as working fluids. Torque transmission is smooth over the entire stroke and stiction is measured to be one percent of full-range torque or less. We also present a tendon-coupled design where the rolling diaphragm is inverted from its normal orientation; this design does not require shaft support bushings, tolerates misalignment, and can be made out of substantially soft materials. Actuator units and a passive transmission are demonstrated using this new soft cylinder design.

MagPad: A Near Surface Augmented Reading System for Physical Paper and Smartphone Coupling

In this paper, we present a novel near surface augmented reading system that brings digital content to physical papers. Our system allows a collocated mobile phone to provide augmented content based on its position on top of paper. Our system utilizes built-in magnetometer of a smartphone together with six constantly spinning magnets that generate designed patterns of magnetic flux, to detect 2D location of phone and render dynamic interactive content on the smartphone screen. The proposed technique could be implemented on most of mobile platforms without external sensing hardware.

PAPILLON: expressive eyes for interactive characters

PAPILLON is a technology for designing highly expressive animated eyes for interactive characters, robots and toys. Expressive eyes are essential in any form of face-to-face communication [2] and designing them has been a critical challenge in robotics, as well as in interactive character and toy development.

Ubisonus: spatial freeform interactive speakers

We present freeform interactive speakers for creating spatial sound experiences from a variety of surfaces. Traditional surround sound systems are widely used and consist of multiple electromagnetic speakers that create point sound sources within a space. Our proposed system creates directional sound and can be easily embedded into architecture, furniture and many everyday objects. We use electrostatic loudspeaker technology made from thin, flexible, lightweight and low cost materials and can be of different size and shape. In this demonstration we will show various configurations such as single speaker, speaker array and tangible speakers for playful and exciting interactions with spatial sounds. This is an example of new possibilities for the design of various interactive surfaces.

Uminari: Freeform Interactive Loudspeakers

We present freeform interactive loudspeakers for creating spatial sound experiences from a variety of surfaces. Surround sound systems are widely used and consist of multiple electromagnetic speakers that create point sound sources within a space. Our proposed system creates directional sound and can be easily embedded into architecture, furniture and many everyday objects. We use electrostatic loudspeaker technology made from thin, flexible, lightweight and low cost materials and can be of different size and shape. In this paper we propose various configurations such as single speaker, speaker array tangible speaker and microphone configurations for creating playful and exciting interactions with spatial sounds. Our research of freeform speakers can create new possibilities for the design of various interactive surfaces.