Peter Bomark

Adaptive interface for text input on large-scale interactive surfaces

In this paper we present a novel approach to text input on large interactive surfaces using a combination of strategies to resolve the inherent difficulties with text input on such a device. Instead of using a conventional full size QWERTY based layout, the idea is to use a very limited set of buttons that, by using word prediction and hints, would only require minimal finger movement. The input mechanism is somewhat related to input methods employed when using keyboards with a limited size and amount of keys, commonly found in phones and other 10 digit keyboards. Given that the main motivation to this approach was not the limited size but rather to overcome the difficult task of locating keys with fingers on a flat and featureless surface, making touch-typing very difficult and requiring frequent visual monitoring of the finger position, we opted to enhance the interaction with easily made gestures, a layout that adapts to the hand anatomy of the user, and easy control over the text prediction.

Need for innovation in supplying engineer‐to‐order joinery products to construction: A case study in Sweden

Purpose – The construction industry has been criticized for not keeping up with other production industries in terms of cost efficiency, innovation, and production methods. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the knowledge about what hampers efficiency in supplying engineer‐to‐order (ETO) joinery‐products to the construction process. The objective is to identify the main contributors to inefficiency and to define areas for innovation in improving this industry.Design/methodology/approach – Case studies of the supply chain of a Swedish ETO joinery‐products supplier are carried out, and observations, semi‐structured interviews, and documents from these cases are analysed from an efficiency improvement perspective.Findings – From a lean thinking and information modelling perspective, longer‐term procurement relations and efficient communication of information are the main areas of innovation for enhancing the efficiency of supplying ETO joinery‐products. It seems to be possible to make improvements...

User centric social diabetes game design for children

Children recently diagnosed with diabetes type 1 require lots of information and feel scared, alone and different. Most of the existing educational material is on paper. Games with relevant learning content are mainly small minigames in English. There is a need for more material with a focus on user needs, particularly learning--by-doing material. Peer support is known to be important for this user group. We present a concept for a social learning game that is engaging and fun for diabetic children.

Log sawing positioning optimization and log bucking of tropical hardwood species to increase the volume yield

ABSTRACT The sawmill industry is a very important link in the Mozambique forest products value chain, but the industry is characterized by undeveloped processing technology and high-volume export of almost unrefined logs. The low volume yield of sawn timber has been identified as a critical gap in the technological development of the industry. To improve the profitability of the industry, there is thus a need to develop methods and techniques that improve the yield. In this paper, different positioning of logs prior to sawing and the possibility of increasing the volume yield of crooked logs by bucking the logs before sawing have been studied. A computer simulation was used to study the cant-sawing and through-and-through sawing of the logs to determine the volume yield of sawn timber from the jambirre (Millettia stuhlmannii Taub.) and umbila (Pterocarpus angolensis DC.) species. The optimal position, i.e. the position of the log before sawing that gives the highest volume yield of sawn timber for a given sawing pattern when the positioning parameters, offset, skew and rotation, are considered gave a considerable higher volume yield than the horns-down position. By bucking very crooked logs and using the horns-down positioning before sawing, the volume yield can be of the same magnitude as that obtained by optimal positioning on full-length (un-bucked) logs. The bucking reduces the crook of the logs and hence increases the volume yield of sawn timber.

A prototype social learning platform for children with diabetes type 1

Children diagnosed with diabetes type 1 are bombarded with information and have a hard time understanding it all. Existing information material consists mostly of brochures and textbooks, giving little opportunity for testing and trial-and-error without consequences. A social platform with learning games gives the children an opportunity to experiment and find peer support, which is important for coping with a life long disease.

EXTERNAL LOG SCANNING FOR OPTIMIZING PRIMARY BREAKDOWN OF TROPICAL HARDWOOD SPECIES

ABSTRACT The sawing of tropical hardwood species is a big challenge for sawmills in developing countries. In order to investigate sawing strategies and volume recovery of tropical hardwood species, a log shape database was created using a portable 3D laser scanner. The data were collected in Mozambique, where twelve Jambirre ( Millettia stuhlmannii Taub.) and five Umbila ( Pterocarpus angolensis DC) logs were scanned. The logs were selected among the most commercialized species and the crook was the main selection parameter. In addition, straight logs were incorporated as reference. A saw simulation Matlab algorithm that combines skew and rotation was developed. The results show that point cloud data from the 3D scanner provide detailed models of the external log geometry and accurately describe the log shapes and volumes. Preliminary results from breakdown simulation revealed that the through-and-through sawing pattern yields more than the cant saw pattern and that the increase in yield was almost the same for both species.

Colour visualisation of real virtual timber using image quilting

Image quilting can be used to colourise virtually sawn boards from logs scanned using X-ray computed tomography through the use of a correspondence image pair where both the colour and density is known. The method could allow for easier understanding of simulation studies where logs scanned using X-ray computed tomography are virtually sawn.