'Control'

 

Proximity control unit from Rapid Electronics - £6.19

Control chip uses ultrasonic detection to detect a body or object between 10 and 80 cm's from the sensor and lights an LED.

Could possibly be used to adjust volume or increase brightness of lights within the sensory system? (or similar circuit)

Similar to the controls of a theremin (demonstrated by Bill Bailey Below)

The idea of controlling an electrical product without touching the product is intersting when applied to the scenario of a sensory system, as it would allow more control and interaction with users with limited mobility or limited functionality within their hands.
Multiple control systems could also be introduced within the system each controlling a diferent element to allow for group interaction.

Touch Screen (4 wire resistive touch screen)

Resistive touchscreen which can control both in the X and Y axis, Can be used with parts of the body or a stylus. Available in a range of sizes.

Transparent surface allows for lighting to be placed behind the surface to give a more emersive experience, lighting around the users fingers etc. (Used within the Kaoss Pad).

Control Knobs

A range of control knobs could be used to control a range of features, each providing a different tactile feel to the user, could also be heated or cooled to add further tactile features.

A very intuitive way to control a produc, could cause problems for users with limited mobility.

'Product Spec - Domestic Sensory System'

Domestic Sensory system Product Spec:

Necessary:

• ·         Be affordable (£150-£300)

• ·         Provide multi sensory engagement (Primarily sight, sound and touch)

• ·         Be relatively compact  

• ·         Be impact and tension resistant

• ·         Be intuitive and easy to interact with

• ·         Suitable for use by a range of less able people

• ·         Product must be water/moisture resistant

• ·         All electronics must be heat shielded or low heat output.

Desirable:

• ·         Engaging for all users. Able bodied and less able.

• ·         Able to be permanently installed and fit in to environment of use.

• ·         Have additional modules for extra sensory stimulation

o   Fibre optics

o   Vibration

o   Extra lighting

o   Alternative surface finish (tactile)

• ·         Encourage interaction between multiple users

• ·         Provides educational stimuli

• ·         Themed

• ·         Each sensory element able to be turned on/off individually.

Brief:

                To design a product or service to allow a range of able bodied and less able users to recieve multi sensory stimulation to soothe and calm the users in a domestic environment, whilst promoting interacton between users.

'Laser Difraction'

www.dragonlasers.com

Video showing the potential for 'laser diffraction', utilising a single laser to create a matrix or range of laser dots projected onto a surface. 

Could be useful within a sensory system if used alongside a lighting system to create effects, potentially themed, such as a solar system/cosmic clouds.

'Black Light'

 

Black Light Demonstration

Interesting use of black light to give the illusion that flourscent items are glowing.

The black light effect rely's on the room being completely black to provide the best effects of certain objects floating.
Could be used with a black light and invisible U.V. Paint on walls or within wall paper to provide a simple glowing pattern. Alongside this it could be used on alternative products such as clocks to provide movement.

This effect could be themed within the wall papers etc, for example space and stars, underwater etc. With the U.V. pattern being invisible without the use of the black light.

'Experia'

Experia, is one of the largest suppliers of sensory equipment within the UK, providing a sensory room design service as well as selling the products individually. Specialising within 'wireless sensory equipment'.

Experia claim that 'Sensory equipment is widely used in therapies for sensory integration and stimulation, to help those with sensory dysfunction or sensory deficiency to learn to use information from all of their senses and develop them for learning and improvement.'

Company Website

Cut Glass

Bulb Fiction - Vienna Design week 2010

Opportunity to conduct experiments using cut glass to see if the patterned surfaces effect the light patterns cast when light is projected through the glass.
With good results it could be possible to produce filted placed infront of coloured lights to reflect and refract the light and create patters for minimal cost.

Reflection Refraction

Light installation - vienna design week 2010

Interesting use of a single light source and glass to reflect and refract light. Potential for the light to cast patterns and shapes around the environment of use. 

Could also be used in conjunction with coloured glass or liquids within containers to make the light feature many different colours. Easy way to use a single lightsource to create the effect of multiple lights.