Reed Switch tests

Tested our new reed switch arrangement idea with the large magnets. It looks like this will definitely work. We ordered the AR viewer batteries, charger, and the rest of the phicon electronics (save for possibly different LEDs).

More on the Reed Switch problem

We tested the reed switches with larger (real) magnets and successfully got them to actuate. We figured out a possible arrangement that would allow two reed switches per cube to control on/off lighting functions no matter which cube face was set down. We put together a rough wiring schematic of it to help us make sure we were correct in our thinking. We also developed an icon for the phicons' home position in the tray indicating the on/off nature of the lighting with regard to the home position.

Gathering Supplies

Got some weights, wood circles, magnets for our installation and tangible table. Also got a piece of used furniture free from craiglist. I thought we could dissasseble it and use the wood for our mayan calender wheels. Alas it turned out to be too small.

Reed Switch tests

We tested our elemental phicon reed switches with rubberized magnets of different strengths but weren't able to trigger the mechanism. We need to look to other options than lining the table trays with rubberized magnetic liner.

Man and His Symbols

As per Scott's sugestion I got a copy of Jung's "Man and His Symbols".

Video, Table, Computer, & Switches

Replaced metal casing with plastic one. Placed and epoxied leg mounts to table. Bought a new s-video adapter for our computer output that doesn't lose color signal. We also tested our reed switches with magnets to determine which ones would work and devised a circuit schematic to ensure the cube lights would turn off no matter which side was placed down (using 2 reed switches per cube).

We also got the second PC we'll be needing from Gavin.

UHF Video issues and First Practical Test of Wireless AR Viewing!

After messing with our UHF transmitter, we came to the realization that something inside was loose. We determined it to be the antenna. We tried to solder the antenna back on and ended up changing its attachment by drilling through the PCB and screwing an antenna mount into it. It appears that the metal housing also seems to sheild the transmission signal quite a bit.

We then set up our wireless camera receiver and discovered that it worked better than we thought before. It's transmission problems were fixed by utilizing a stronger power source. We'll need to get AC adapters to eliminate such problems with all the equipment that doesn't have to be a part of the mobile AR viewer.

Next we setup a mock test of our theoretical loop for wireless AR. LCD TV tuned to Ch. 24 along with wireless camera and some AR markers on one side of room; wireless camera receiver plugged into our DV Camera Bridge, DV Bridge software and DART running on the computer, and UHF video sender attached to computer video output and set to Ch. 24. Our test actually worked!! We got 30fps augmented reality images appearing on our LCD TV through the wireless/uhf loop!!

YAY!!!

Issues: UHF transmission quality and loss of color signal through our S-Video (computer output) to RCA component video adapter (UHF transmitter input).

More Table work

Purchased additional hardware, prepped, and reaffixed the legs to the table in their new configuration. We also got our UHF video sender to work but not well and not in color.

Mayan Calander Wheels Template

Created a template for the Mayan calandar wheels.

Table work

Took inner frame and legs off table. Determined how the legs would be reattached so as not to obscure the view of the center of the table.

Faux Stone

Painted a small test plank of wood with sand, glue and paint to see if I could get a reasonable faux stone look. This will enable us to make a set of gears out of wood for our Mayan calendar and still get a stone-like look. This test worked reasonably well.

Finished Modern Age Research

Finished the research for the Modern Age Content and Puzzle Tie-ins. Just have to chop it up into Presentation pieces to be associated with the various tools used in the interface.

Modern Age Puzzle/Content Research

Did research into the possible content/puzzle tie-ins for the Modern Age. Subjects being investigated include Rocketry, Nazi War Machine & Party History, symbological signifigance and history of Swastika, crop circles, UFO's, and Foo Fighters.

Mayan/16th Century Puzzle Research

Continued work on Mayan tool clues/tie-ins. Also started researching links between the orobourus and alchemy, as well as the greek origins of this symbol and its relationship to the mmilkyway/mayan end date in 2012.

Mayan Puzzle Research

Determined which dates will be used for the puzzle and which astronomical alignments and buildings will be used. Tools still being worked out as far as which aspects/clues will be revealed with which.

Greek Myth/Puzzle Research

Defined our puzzles and tools for the Greek Age. They will revolve around the myth of Prometheus, Apollo, Chiron, the gift of fire to man, and the Milky Way.

The Da Vinci Code (continued)

Finished reading The Da Vinci Code. There are alot of riddles and double meanings in words and symbols. Hopfully this will help us formulate the story which will tie all our ages together.

The Da Vinci Code

Started reading The Da Vinci Code in hopes that it will provide inspiration for our puzzles.

Testing

Picked up our smaller acrylic cubes for the tool set. Later we tested some of our video broadcast gear with our LCD TV. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get it to tune in the video broadcast. We may need an external VHF antenna or a transmitter that sends on higher frequencies (UHF) that the LCD TV seems to be able pick up ok.

Content Research

Went over some of our battery options. Discussed puzzles and started researching for ideas for the types of puzzle we may use to tie the ages together.