Sjefdesign

Beyond the effects

Sjef Fransen — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:03:32 +0000

WifiBlock, the NXT wifi extension

Sjef Fransen — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:40:05 +0000

For more information about how to build the module and how it works: Project Report Sjef Fransen

The golden ratio…

Sjef Fransen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:33:52 +0000

In this module I explored how the math tool Mathematica can be superior to Illustrator to create a tile pattern. First I had to learn the program language and the interface of Mathematica, after that I looked into the topic of tile patterns and how a pattern can be made with pure calculations and equations.

My exploration in mathematica started with the idea to create perspective. Eventually the implementation in Mathematica turned out to be good to implement. See the example.

Then I was inspired by the Ying Yang symbol and I tried to create such a pattern. After a lot of trial and error I designed the following line that, if copied, translated and rotated correctly, can created the following figure.

Lego NXT robot collection

Sjef Fransen — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:10:55 +0000

Wifi connection for Lego NXT

First working experiment to connect the Lego NXT to the internet and be able to control it via the internet.
Movie...»

Lego NXT + Arduino

First Exploration to connect and communicate between Arduino and the Lego NXT.
Movie...»

Robot Match #3:

Baseball Bot, learn to return the ball in the correct direction.

Movie 1...» Movie 2...» Movie 3...»
Pictures...»

Robot Match#2:

Jeu de boule bot, throw the ball as near as possible to the light.
Movie 1...» Movie 2...» Movie 3...»
Pictures...»

Robot Match #1:

Hide and seek bot, find the red ball as fast as possible and signal that you have found it.
Movie...»

How to install Java on leJOS NXT for Mac OS

Sjef Fransen — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:16:39 +0000

Contents of the Tutorial

Install Java
Instal Lego USB Driver on MAC
Instal and configure Lejos
Instal and configure Eclipse
Create the hello World with Eclplse and load it into the NXT.

1. Install Java:

The benefit of mac OS x is that java runtime development will be automatically installed on your operating system. To make sure you have the latest version of Java on your Mac you can use the Software Update. ...1»

2. Install Lego USB Driver

Go to this website and download the mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) firmware Fix for mac. (479 Kb) ...2»

Install the package by clicking opening the disk. and follow the instructions on the installer. You can leave all settings to default.
...3-12»

3. Instal Lejos

Go to the website and select the second download link for Linux/Mac OSX leJOS NXJ. Select the newest version link. ...13»

Extract the file lejos_NXJ_0_x_x.tar and place the folder lejos_nxj in your home folder of the mac system. ...14»

Now it is time to set the environmental variables for Java and Lejos. To do this we need to create or edit the .profile file. This can be done in the following way.

Open Terminal (/Applications/Utilities/Terminal) and write “sudo pico .profile.” ...15»

Save the file by ctrl – x and select yes to save the data. Hit return to exit the pico mode and come back to the terminal.

There is a difference between Leopard and Snow Leopard. In order to run Lejos on Snow Leopard one should replace the bin folder with the following files.

Now we have to set the permissions

Make a script file in the leJOS directory executable by typing in terminal ”

cd lejos_nxj

cd bin

After that execute the command:

chmod +x *

and hit return. ...17»

After you have rebooted your system you can test the connection of your NXT with the computer by plugging it in and type in terminal (/Application/Utilities/Terminal) “nxjbrowse -u”. ...18»

After you have successfully established a connection with your NXT you can flash it with LejOS. Type in the terminal “nxjflashg” and hit return. Select ‘Start Program’ and select yes to overwrite and delete the existing software. ...19-22»

Now the LejOS software is installed on your NXT and you can use it to program Java files on it with for example Eclipse.

4. Installing Eclipse.

Go to the website and download Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers (188 MB). ...23» Â Eclipse is a Java program and does not needed to be installed on the computer, instead export the .tar file to your computer somewhere where you can find it. ...24-25»

Start the program by clicking on the Eclipse icon.

You will be welcomed by a welcome screen and first choose a location where you want your workspace to be located. You can use the default setting. ...26» You will see the normal background of eclipse. ...27»

Now you have to create a new project. File->New…->Project. ...28» Select a Java Project in the Java directory. ...29» Then you can create a project with a project name for example lejos_nxt. (you better use no spacing) And select the execution environment to J2SE-1.3, because this has the best compatibility with the leJOS NXT. ...30»

Open the preferences of the project you have just created by selecting the directory and than File–>properties (Alt + return) ...31» and click the Java Build Path tap on the left. ...32» Add an External JARs by clicking on the button ‘Add External JARs’. Select in the directory lejos_nxj/lib the file classes.jar. ...33»

Select the Java Compiler on the left tap and change the compiler compliance level to 1.3 because that fits better to the environment of the NXT. Apply the new settings and select ok. ...34»

Now we have set the compiler and the library files it is time to make a connection to the NXT within Eclipse. Select RUN->Â§External Tools-> External tools configuration… ...35» and create a new launch configuration by clicking on the ‘New’ button. ...36»

Name the new configuration: lejos_Download and fill in for the location:

/Users/xxxxx/lejos_nxj/bin/nxj

The xxxx should be replaced with your home directory of the computer.

For the working Directory and arguments fill in:

Users/XXXXXX/lejos_nxj/bin

${java_type_name}

...37» Click on apply and after that close the window.

Now we can create a shortcut to this new configuration by clicking on the run_lejos icon and select: organize favorites… ...38» Then click on add and select the lejos_download. ...39» Confirm it by clicking on OK and after that again on OK.

5. Create a Hello World for the NXT and load it into it.

Select the directory lejos_NXT and then add a new Class by clicking File->New-> Class. ...40»

Fill in the Source folder lejos_NXT/src and the name Helloworld. Also mark the public static void main(String[] args) option and leave the rest as it is. Click on Finish. ...41»

Open the HelloWorld.java by double clicking on it and copy the following code to the first line:

import lejos.nxt.*;

Place within the main function the following code:

LCD.drawString(”Hello World!”, 2, 2);

LCD.refresh();

while(true);

...42»

Save the file by File->Save (cmd + s) and connect the NXT to the computer via the USB cable. Make sure the NXT is switched on and has leJOS running. Now hit the lejos_download button and the file should be uploading and will give a message when finished.

...43»

Now it is your time to play with the robot and the NXT. Enjoy!

Enter your administrator password and then copy the following lines in the file.

export JAVA_HOME=/System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5.0/Home

export NXJ_HOME=/Users/!!!!me!!!/lejos_nxj

export DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=$NXJ_HOME/bin

export PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin:$NXJ_HOME/bin

And change the /Users/!!!!me!!!!/lejos_nxj according to your own home directory. [slider title="...16"]

Manifesto: Just Design

Sjef Fransen — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:03:00 +0000

I have written a design manifesto for beginning designers to reach enlightenment. Besides my written manifest I have also designed a box that embodies the manifesto and that can be seen as a tool for first year students at the department of Industrial Design from the Eindhoven university of technology.

The manifesto can be read here: »

To embody my manifesto I have also designed a Survival kID for students who start at the department of Industrial Design and need some support to give direction to their education.

Within this movie open the Survival kID and show the contents...»

The welcomes letter that comes with the Survival kID can be read here..»
An overview picture of the survival kID contents.

Just design according to rules of nature…

Many people (designers/politicians/movie stars/musicians etc.) are asking us to take care of the world and our fellow humans that are suffering from you name it (greenhouse gas, pollution, chemical weapons, AIDS, etc.), otherwise the world becomes an awful place to live in. Everybody wants to live in a beautiful and peaceful world.

On the other hand it still seems difficult to share our wealth with everyone in the world. This made me think about the world, rules of nature and design (my profession) in particular. Why is it so damn difficult for humans to look at the total picture and make decisions based on what is good for our environment and the total flora and fauna? My answer to this question is:

People, just as other inhabitants of the world are trying to survive on this planet. (The survival of the fittest.) Therefore, the individual is focussed to become better. It may sound crystal clear and too obvious, but I truly believe that one does something because it gives him more power to survive within this world. I am not saying that the third world is less strong than the western world and therefore they should be washed away. I just think that it is inevitable that some people are trying to make advantage of them while others want to help them. Both because they think it is best for themselves.

Humans seem to be a social animal and within the past they were able to live, work, play together. Uniting gives humans more power than an individual. Therefore people are trying to gather and be part of society or a group. However, when the individual is threatened he will most likely choose for himself instead of the group. He is trying to survive. There is nothing wrong with that it is a natural phenomenon.

While we have to except the natural phenomenon, people look down upon others who state that they only live for themselves. Society is forcing us to put aside our individual goals and think as a group. Your neighbors will reject you if you donâ€™t donate to charity. You should be able to think primary about yourself. We should dare to state: â€˜I do it because I think it is best for me.â€˜ After you are totally honest to yourself and you dare to say it to the rest of the world, you can start to think/live in freedom without the moral constraints of society, as designers you already have enough constraints to deal with.

In order to become free as a designer there are 4 rules to go through and you will be able to motivate yourself for every design project you choose to participate.

Admit you always act beneficial to yourself.

Donâ€™t do something because somebody tells you to, do for yourself.

Minimize the effort to fulfill your goal.

Optimizing works.

If you are not able to admit the first rule, you should be aware that your motivation and devotion will disappear. Nobody will reject you because you are honest with yourself, asking yourself the question: What is in it for me?

Humans are looking for the simplest and easiest way to come to a specific goal, donâ€™t resist it, it is nature. You might argue that getting a six out of then is not always the best thing, that totally depends upon your goal. If you want to obtain your graduation, you better only get sixes. If you have other goals, being the best of the class, learning, you will do more.

Optimization is another rule of nature. I think nobody is trying to resist this. We all know that having the optimum is a natural thing, live according to it.

You might wonder, if these are natural rules, why bother about them, because we will follow them eventually, it is in our nature. Within our society, cultural aspects are very strong and we have to be careful that they do not conflict with our primary needs.

So, do not resist against the rules of nature. Admitting them will enlighten you!

Approach

Sjef Fransen — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:42 +0000

I am designer with a systematic approach towards design and who likes to make things work. I am constantly searching for way to develop myself and soak up more knowledge. My practical approach makes it possible to build real working prototypes within a short timeÂ and these prototypesÂ are useful to test the concept, or to convince other people about the quality of the design. Â I like both to be involved in the total process and I stay closely connected to making and building prototypes.

Especially designing for the unknown is a process of constantly learning and adapting to new experiences. The model describes 5 different states and a switching between the states enables moments for reflection. You are free to start where ever you like and stop where ever you like. Â ...»

Doing different actions within a short amount of time increases the motivation and helps to speed up the process. I think it is really interesting that there is no fixed starting point. Â You can start from a project description, but you can start with a design or vision as well. This really gives the freedom that is needed within our education. Â The difficulty of this process lays in obtaining a good overview.

discoverBee

Sjef Fransen — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:59:34 +0000

Abstract

Philips Research organized the Philips Creative Challenge. This challenge is set up around the theme â€˜hospitalityâ€™ to explore and show exceptional design ideas. We (Bram Knaapen, Jelle Stienstra, Wouter van Dijk and myself) were encouraged to choose a specific context and target group within the hospitality theme and to explore its unique challenges and opportunities from a wellbeing perspective. Together with our client (de Bijenkorf) and end users we designed a new interesting shopping experience.

Concept description

The discoverBee system invites people by giving suggestions that inspire to explore the department store. Interesting themes can be captured from magazines, websites and shopping windows, which are personally presented through dynamic seducing color-pattern-coded shopping shelves; allowing the user to be inspired throughout the whole department store.

Concept Movie
Scenario ... »

How does it work? ...»

Design process ... »

Deliverables

Prototype discoverBee ... »

Movie discoverBee prototype ... »

ReportÂ of the IDClass can be found here.

Somebody sees something interesting in the Bijenkorf magazine, on the internet or in the shopping window. The shopping window will draw attention by its lights interaction.
The person makes a picture of it and via a tag in the shopping window, magazine or internet the user notifies the Bijenkorf what he found interesting. The photo is translated into a light and color pattern shown on the mobile phoneâ€™s screen.
The person takes his phone with data of interesting products related to a theme in it to the shop. Not only information about current interests can be stored, but because the phone application is linked to the Bijenkorf Card, he can also be attended to interesting themes of the shop.
Within the shop, places which are tagged as interesting, which subtle be highlighted as a person comes within an area of 10 meter of the closet. The same goes for the direction boards in front of the escalator, with the exception that it will only be highlighted within an area of 3 meters.

In order to be a personal guidance tool, the shelves will light up more as the user approaches the right shopping shelve.

Vision Sjefdesign

Sjef Fransen — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:37:36 +0000

Sports + intelligence = better exercises and more fun

Within sports there is a small border between performance and fun. Many athletes start with a certain sport because they have fun while playing. When they become better their focus could shift towards performance and less on their enjoyment. I think even within the professional setting the athletes need to have fun while performing their sport.

Exercises and training is based upon repetitions and until now training methodologies were determined by a coach. The coach takes care of bringing diversity in the repetitions and motivating the player(s). I think intelligent technologies can be an extremely useful tool for trainers to bring fun and diversity within exercises and keep the players/athletes motivated.

I want to design within this context and try to contribute to the development of new training exercises and training tools. Intelligence and diversity is not only interesting for children to train, but it might even be more interesting for adults and professional athletes, because they have to perform according to their daily ritual.Â

Within professional sports the current focus lays upon measuring performances and evaluate these measurements. In itself these technological developments are very good and they are good for the athletes in particular, but I think new and more motivating training exercises contribute to these already existing developments.

SmartGoals

Sjef Fransen — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:31:07 +0000

Concept Description»

Tests with prototype version 1.

Conceptual model and final design of the new SmartGoal

Pictures of the final prototypes

Interaction model and interface explanation of the final design

Pictures throughout the project

Concept Description

â€˜SmartGoals’ is a new way to train different soccer exercises and gives the trainer the possibility to train: passing, shooting, dribbling, communication in a more challenging and dynamic way. The backbone of â€˜SmartGoals’ is a decentralized system, that makes the total system very robust and versatile. The trainer has control over the amount of active goals. If a goal is activated (indicated by leds in top) by trainer/system the players have to score goals by walking, shooting or passing the ball through it.