Need ideas for designing an innovative light switch.

[TommyVercetti]

I need some ideas to design an innovative light switch. I am taking this class called Human Computer Interaction and this is one of the small assignment. The grade is only a completion grade, not based on how innovative it is. Also, it is just a prototype, just something made out of card board or something. Can you give me some suggestions? The prof said "don't show up with a light switch from Home Depot".

 

[eakers]

remote control?
sound controlled?
something where you have to touch and the lights come on?

 

[Stealth1024]

IR sensor that auto turns it off when you leave the room for a while? What about a flat touch sensitive one such as the buttons on a microwave? Or better yet what about voice controlled: "Computer: dim lights 50%".

 

[NogginBoink]

A more detailed list of requirements would help us make better suggestions. What's the goal of the assignment?

 

[Howard]

Two words - LED and photodiode.

Make it switch on/off whenever the light path is interrupted.

/me swipes hand over panel to show example

 

[GasX]

Make an old two button mouse into a switch:

Left click on

Right click off

 

[tweakmm]

have it dispense beer or for the girls shmirnoff ice
I'd sure buy it and it would be innovative as hell

 

[TommyVercetti]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
A more detailed list of requirements would help us make better suggestions. What's the goal of the assignment?

The goal of this assignment is to improve upon the conventional light switch and design something which "begs" to be used as designed. When you see a conventional light switch, you automatically know that in order to turn the light on, you need to push on the switch. Similarly, when you see a door, you automatically know that to open it you have to turn the knob. That is what the prof wants, something innovative but easy to use. Some ideas presented in class were switch with strings, the dimmer and the knob.

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: Howard
Two words - LED and photodiode.

Make it switch on/off whenever the light path is interrupted.

/me swipes hand over panel to show example

neat idea

-=bmacd=-

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Use a doorknob as the switch. Or how about a touch sensitive ring that dims the lights depending on where on the ring you press?

 

[hevnsnt]

I say:
-Touchpad switch (to overide the following)
-Light sensor that knows when it is getting dark, will turn on when it detects someone that enters the room
....-Counter on sensor so it knows that 2 people entered only 1 left

 

[Yossarian]

Where are you from?

 

[hevnsnt]

who?

 

[Beau]

put one of those 9v battery plugs on it. People will put their tongues on it to turn it on.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
A more detailed list of requirements would help us make better suggestions. What's the goal of the assignment?

The goal of this assignment is to improve upon the conventional light switch and design something which "begs" to be used as designed. When you see a conventional light switch, you automatically know that in order to turn the light on, you need to push on the switch. Similarly, when you see a door, you automatically know that to open it you have to turn the knob. That is what the prof wants, something innovative but easy to use. Some ideas presented in class were switch with strings, the dimmer and the knob.

Actually, I would disagree. We 'know' how to use a light switch through experience. We had to be taught how.

A light switch that 'begs to be used as designed' is one that automagically turns on the light when I'm in the room, and turns the light off when I leave.

I would suggest perhaps just that, on a smaller scale. Motion sensing lights are relatively commonplace, but how about taking that a step further. For example, and under-cabinet light that turns on when stuff is put on the countertop underneath the light. With a touchpad or something to turn it off. Next time stuff on the countertop is moved, the light comes back on.

Hell, I'd buy one of those!

 

[TommyVercetti]

Someone mentioned the mouse. Since this is just a prototype, I will use my mouse which has a wheel. The right button turns off the light, while the left one turns it on. The wheel can act as a dimmer. Good idea?

 

[wfbberzerker]

one you can control with your mind!

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I'd recommend using the same button for on and off just to simplify it.

 

[Tallgeese]

I second the voice-controlled light switch!

 

[Howard]

You would then have errant functioning during normal conversation.

 

[MysticLlama]

How about a floor vibration sensor?

When you hit the floor because you tripped over something it turns the light on so you can see what the !#&*$ it was.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: MysticLlama
How about a floor vibration sensor?

When you hit the floor because you tripped over something it turns the light on so you can see what the !#&*$ it was.

and when ur doin the dirty and the light turns on? what u do then?

 

[dman]

If you go into home depot or wherever you'll see most of these kinds of switches (suggested here) have already been designed. There really isn't much further to go with the whole light switch concept imo. But then again, maybe I'm just not creative. How about:

I guess you could have one that remembers light settings based on who the person is, it could have finger print scanner or could have a chip or bluetooth type device installed in the human... then when they enter the room it will remember the last 'brightness' setting they chose. I'm J/K about the chip thing, but, y'know, maybe the professor would like it.

 

[Tallgeese]

Originally posted by: Howard
You would then have errant functioning during normal conversation.

Not if it required an "attention" command that preceded your instructions.

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: Tallgeese

Originally posted by: Howard
You would then have errant functioning during normal conversation.

Not if it had an "attention" command that preceded your instructions.

Hey, while you are at it, give it audio output and make it whistle when you come in the room like in Star Trek. Or go 'shooosh' to make the room sound like it has sliding doors from the future.