IDAT101 Group Project Interactive Installation Interactive Devices Research

For our installation we want to use an interactive screen mounted on the floor so that when people walk over it, it produces a reaction. But before we can plan this out we need to do some background research on interactive screens and flooring to look at the technology itself and see what options we have available to us and decide what would fit best into the space.

Interactive Screens can be used in a number of different locations and for many different purposes. Some shops use them on the front of their windows as advertsing that people can go up to and touch to find out more information about the products, and they can also be used in schools on the interactive white boards.

There are several methods used to install and run these screens, two of the main ones are projection and LED screen with a touch foil overlay.

Projection: A projector is installed into the ceiling that projects an image onto a surface, a camera above the projector then detects the movement and location of the person using the projected image and allows interaction between the user and the surface that the image is being projected on to. In this photo you can see the projector is displaying a computer screen onto the surface and the person is able to type the letters on the projected keyboard so they appear on  the screen.

LED Screen: : An LED screen like a television or computer screen can be converted into an interactive screen using interactive touch overlay foil. This is the same foil used to make walls and floors interactive. It is a simple procedure, the overlay is stuck to the front of the window and this allows interaction with the media on the other side of the glass. The computer detects the point at which the overlay is pressed and transfers this to the program that is running on the screen, which then produces the required reaction.

For the purpose of our project we will have to use the touch foil overlay because our screen is going to be mounted on the floor and it is outside so a projector won't be practical as there is nowhere to attatch it too.

Present Use

Interactive screens are used all over the place now a days. From advertising to education they are becoming a more popular way of communicating information.

Interactive screens have revolusionised the advertising industry. They give customers the possibility of finding out more indepth information about the products, sometimes without even entering the shop! It also adds quite a fun aspect to shopping, being able to flick through the products on the outside of the window and some shops even have games that you can play. Some stores even have interactive screens on the floor which react when a customer walks over it.

 

 

Advantages

• There are multiple methods that can be used to make an interactive screen which means that can be set up in most locations, as either of the methods can be used.
• They are very durable and can withstand a prolonged amount of use.
• Screens that use the foil overlay can work in most weather conditions as the technology is contained on the other side of the glass that is not open to the elements.

Disadvantages

• The screens are very expensive to buy and install because of the technology they use.
• Depending on the type of screen used, durability can be an issue because of the sensitivity of the technology.
• Some screens only allow a single user to touch them at any one time.