2010-2011-RIP

Rapid Interface Prototyping Controller Project

by Wieger Hofstra and Arjen van der Veen

RIP in an easy, quick and cost effective method for developing and (almost) instant testing of interfaces. It is meant as an extension to the already widely used methods of rapid interface development using cheap disposable materials.

The process of using RIP can be explained in a few basic steps:

• A user draws an interface on a piece of paper, for example for a remote control for a media player.
• After, or during the drawing the user clips the drawing on the board.
• Using the IR pen, the user 'clicks' on the board on the action he wants to map, for example the play button.
• The user defines the upper left and lower right corners of the play button on the drawing.
• The play button is now mapped and usable: When clicked on using the IR pen, the media player will start playing.

The board has 3 IR LEDs on 3 of its corners, allowing it to be tracked while moving and tilting on any axis. A different set up, with for example 3 LEDs at the corner of a white board, is also possible. By actively tracking the position of the board, it's not necessary to affix the IR tracking device to the board, which enables users to pass the board around while retaining the interactive functionality. The actions that the user can map to the newly drawn interface are defined by console commands stored in an text file.

RIP makes use of:

• 4 IR LEDs
• 1 Nintendo Wii Remote
• 1 board

Total cost of materials: approx. 30 Euro as of February 2011

The software is made using:

• Java
• WiiUseJ
• Swing GUI
• Festival (for text to speech action feedback)