Final

Short Clips

     I added a button to the arduino that lets users save parts they like as a short gif like clip. I think this would make the work more interactive for visitors. They can leave behind a small selection of clips they like, while the main piece will continue on and develop. It would also introduce social media possibilities where the users could share there selection on something like vine or facebook. 

      The images have moved away from the natural flowing style that i intended and the digital nature of the signal is showing.

Moving Image

     From my experiments it is clear that the moving image is very important in this piece. Contradicting with a calculators normal output which is a defined and fixed number the audio and image created change over time. I am experimenting with different ways of showing the moving images especially shorter videos like a gif or vine.

The image

      I spent a bit of time working on the images made by the calculator. It was quite difficult to translate the signal into meaningful shapes and colors. My main objective is to have responsive images so that when you press buttons you get a very good sense of connection and control between you and the calculator.  

     The first images I made used the sound wave visualizer. I think there work quite well becouse they correspond to what we hear. It also means that if the sound get loud the visuals also get busy.

      In the next images i added color and fading background. The colors are currently just random but I am planing to change them to the 4 colors found on the calculator body - Black, white, red, and yellow. The background image fades as it draws, this gives you a better sense of time but without the image building up too much.

 

These images don't fade, as you can see they because very chaotic and confusing. 

     I experimented with creating drawing "robots" that would be controlled by the calculator signals. The results are interesting but there is almost too much control by code to create the image. I think that the processing side of the code should be more of a visualization than an interpretation.

   

Thee Calculator

     After creating sound with the calculators signals I hope to improve my code too create accompanying visuals as well. Moving further from what we might consider connections to a calculator, i will try to venture into its opposite image. Creating natural flowing visuals with pleasant colors, smooth delicate lines and blurred forms.

Code Technicals

    I will attempt to create a brush like object that paints on the screen. The object could move, change size, shape and color depending on the calculator. It could be good to manipulate noise() with the signals, that way it would be flowing and smooth. I will try and avoid sharp edges and straight lines.

    

Creating Sound

     I experimented with the calculators signal output and its ability to create sound. In a good way it is very different from my expectations, most buttons are slowly responsive and build up into a chaos of signals. There is very little different between buttons, it is very clear the signal was design for computer not human recognition. It was also interesting to see the calculator still send signals when turned off.

     The signal required some remapping to get the correct values. Onces into processing they were applied to 2 waves that were frequency modulated together. The results are quite good and i feel there is a nice variety and change in the sound.

First Hack

      Removing a few screws revealed the internals of the calculator which were in fact very simple. The "brains" of the device are secured within a blob of resin where all the inputs and outputs extend from.

Knowing that I want to work with the buttons from the calculator i decided to attach wires to the button connections and power supply. I removed the internal battery and changed it for the arduino power supply. The voltage could also be adjusted for different effects.

 

After a quick test it was clear that the received signal was more complex and detailed than I would have guessed. The challenge now is to convert the information into something meaningful. 

 

I will experiment with audio, visual outputs, and concepts for subverting the preconception of what a calculator is. Resulting in a confusing user experience which will lead to playful exploration of a "new" device.

This is not a Calculator

     Hacking ready made electronic object is one aspect of creation with an arduino. It can be done in many ways to create different effects. One way is to intervene signals within a component and use them to create something different, and another is to change signals within the object and force glitches and other effects.

     There are no specific guides or rules for hacking as every electronic item is different. There is a large sense of discovery and adventuring into the unknown, many of the results will only be be clear when the devise is turned on.

     There is also a high risk of damaging the object that is been hacked. This is why second hand or cheap objects are often used.



     Before starting I had to find some electronic items to hack. I was looking for something with a number of buttons that could be used to interface with processing. After searching through many charity shops the most suitable item appeared to be a calculator from Poundland.

     My project had now become a exploration of the object with the intention to subvert an everyday £1 object into something for creating art. "This is not a Calculator" will play with user preconceptions of interfaces and experiences.