Here is a list of current project ideas for more or less straightforward, but useful projects for students to work on. They are mostly related to iStuff, or the Post-Desktop User Interfaces Module of the iSpace project in general, and focus on research and development in Post-Desktop User Interfaces to be used in the Stanford iRoom. I add notes to projects and move them down the list as people start working on them.
Sensors: Turning motion detectors, capacity sensors, or similar devices into iStuff
iCut/iPaste: Cut & Paste for the iRoom, conveniently integrated into the respective OS. (For Mac OS X, for example, this could be done as a "Service", available anywhere via the Services menu or by using cmd-shft-c/v as shortcuts).
MIDI-to-EventHeap bridge (Robert): Prototype works - needs a release and documentation
Turning infrared batons into iStuff (Robert): Works! - Could be set up as standard demo
iLight strip for Andy's GroupStorm version, maybe also input iStuff for it
Audio-based locator for devices in the iRoom: Pawel demoed his software at KTH; would be nice to install in iRoom
iRoom Voice Control: Basics work (Joyce), including using a wireless mike, we wanted to do more complex commands and possibly input via any laptop mike next
Anoto pen as iStuff: Tico is interested but busy with PatchPanel; possible project for a student
Remote iStuff (presence awareness): Erik tested his iSpace bridge software with Brian; it's available online! - Next would be always-up link between the two locations, e.g., using an iLight to indicate activity.
"I Heard You" feedback for commands issued to the room: Ya'ir built it, needs to be solidified to be always-up feature.
iStuff USB receiver, X-10 interfacing: USB receiver works (thanks Tico!)
Power-On/Off/Reboot etc. via Event Heap: Fang Sun (Armando's student) is working on this; Erik has a working eheap-to-Wake-on-LAN bridge
iCrafter service for Polycom: Erik has an eHeap interface already.
iMarkers (Arna): iButtons/iStuff to discreetly mark video or log streams in a meeting - was used in Knexus meeting study.
iPing/iLoad: Performance tools for the Event Heap. Robert wrote iPing already, needs to be released. Load is available from console running eheap server.
aMap (larger project, Atsushi): Work with expert information mappers Bob Horn and Ron Wild to display high-resolution interactive argumentation/discussion maps on the mural. We did an initial round on this during summer 2001, and it is being continued by Atsushi and the above. Involves C++, OpenGL/Java2D, XML, etc.
iWall (larger project; Brian): A tool to display and move information around the wall displays in the iRoom. Ya'ir built a first version, Robert and Jeff rewrote the code, and Brian Lee is currently working on this, with Maureen and the iStuff team. See the preliminary iWall project page.
We are documenting those designs that prove useful so they can be replicated at KTH and by outside adopters. See iStuff docs for an example (thanks Michael&Tico!).
Then there are a few experiments that we wanted to conduct:
Moving information around the room (e.g., using the iWall)
A comparison of stroke grouping algorithms for wall-size displays
Compare time&effort to create an experimental ubicomp UI with/without iStuff
Email me with questions about these projects, if you are interested in working on any of these, or if you have additional ideas for projects!
Jan Borchers • Last modified