Course: PostPC Computing: Embedding intelligence Teachers: Prof. Scott Kirkpatrick Mr. Amnon Dekel Presented by: Yair Snir (Computer Science & Biology) Adi Lakritz (Computer Science & Mathematics)

The problem: members of the family today aren’t as close to each other as they should be.

 Only personal organizing systems.  The means by which a family routinely shares information and converses.

Our goal: Build a system that will enhance family communication and connection.

Will adding a digital aspect to the family really bring them closer together ?

 The product is an interactive electronic board.  Situated on the refrigerator door in the kitchen.  Intended for use of the whole family.  Connected to the internet.  Enables communication and store of data.

Hang on refrigerator Stylus Cordless communication (blue tooth) Electric cable 17" TFT active matrix panel Software

Shopping List Milk Bread BEER Dad, Mr. Burns said YOU’RE FIRED! Dad, Mr. Burns looked for you! Mom, I’ll be late for dinner, Dad 15:00 Sun, Feb 29th LEAVE A MESSEGE Grandpa Flanders’ Skinner Dad work Numbe r Name Today’s chore list Clean kitchen – Bart Take out trash – Bart Do the grass - Bart

SoftwareHardware

Communication Power consumption Ruggedization

Electronic Family Board Mobile devicework home Home server

 The program data is installed on the home server.  Computers inside the house - cordless communication.  Devices outside the house – internet connection

 Imbedded AC input power system, 40W.  Connected directly to the power source.  The program’s data is backed up on the home server.

 The kitchen is not a working environment.  Intended for use of the whole family.

 Adding a liquid and scratch resistive panel.

Interface FeaturesDesign DB On-lineaccessMultipleaccess

 Messages – Scratch, keyboard, classified  Shopping list – Display full list, easy to mark off  Phone list – Classified by family members  Pictures – Screen saver, background  Chore list – Classified by date/family members  Calendar  Reminder - prompt you of upcoming events etc.

 Simplicity – intended for use of whole family  Attractive interface – located in an open space and simulates the real thing  Avoiding creeping featurism – contributes to the efficiency and use by the whole family.

 Multi user transaction management with concurrency control for multi access.  Crash recovery mechanism.  Located on the server and constantly connected to the internet.

 Kiosk – Assembly of not “state of the art” elements: A thin monitor, attachable touch screen and a PC. – $  Hard drive 3.2 GB (used by the DB) – 25$  Software CD – 1$  Internet connection – 0$  TOTAL: ~500$

 home-organizer: complicated, too much information.  Home organizer simpliciti: uncomfortable, not on-line  A lesson from the past has been learned !

 In the process of our research and study, we tried to achieve a simple solution to the basic need of family communication. We used today’s technology while considering past mistakes.  Finally, to address the question we posed initially, our device offers the seeds for conversation and interaction in the family.

 Churchill E.F et al. Designing Digital Bulletin Boards for Social Networking. CSCW workshop paper  

Product description Video Demo