Fridge-Door Communications Centre Matthew Wallis Supervisor: Prof Arthur Sale
Project Goals To design and implement a Fridge Door Communications Centre To develop an embedded computing appliance that is very easy to use To enable non-experts to access the Internet daily in an easy-to-use, non- confrontational manner
Competitive Analysis Some prototypes of similar products –Electrolux Screenfridge –Fridgidaire Cyberfridge –Telstra Research Laboratories Masternet LMS (Lifestyle Management System) –Whirlpool and Sun –NCR Microwave None in full scale production
Interface Design Input/Output ? –LCD & Touch Screen –Voice recognition/voice output –Keyboard –Pointing device –Handwriting recognition –Barcode reader –Internet connection –Printer
Interface Implementation Java-based “Touchable Look And Feel” Intuitive, friendly Person-specific? Multi-purpose
Interface A simple natural user interface Want a fully self contained operating environment Require a familiar interface, but different enough, to not scare people away People don’t want to stand at the fridge for more than a minute at a time
Features (Page 1) Electronic Notes / Reminders Shopping List Services Barcode scanner to perform the following: –Database of food available –Calculator of food consumption (prediction of usage)
Features (Page 2) Online shopping Recipe Book (linked to available foods) Automatically Dial to report a breakdown Communicate with other devices, such as sending reminder messages to a pager or mobile phone
Features (Page 3) Online banking Connection to PC Printing Detection of users in close proximity and alert if they have or reminders
Difficulties Interfacing with new hardware, such as touch screens etc through Java If other appliances such as microwave ovens have similar features, people will not want or use duplicated functions
Discussion & Feedback What would you want in a FDCC? How should the competing features be prioritized? How much should be conditioned by current technology? What would real domestic users use if they had it?