A rapid prototyping tool for interactive device development

Abstract

Designers need rapid prototyping tools that are embeddable, easily configured and can control a large range of accessories. Current prototyping tools fall short on these requirements by requiring one or more of the following: a tether to a computer, textual programming, and/or limited accessory control. To overcome the limitations of current tools, we have developed Buttercup, a standalone embedded sensor/effector controller that provides a high degree of customization for rapid prototyping interactive devices. The keys to the implementation of Buttercup are its hardware and firmware architecture. By building a system focused on sensor and effector control, the hardware can be small and inexpensive. The firmware utilizes a unique mapping system that lends itself to robust control over its accessories while allowing intuitive configuration by the user through a graphical user interface. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.