|
Technical specifications for the Victorian LaptopThe Victorian Laptop runs under the Win95 OS on a Fujitsu pen-tablet computers, a Point Point 510 with a 100 MHz 5x86 processor and 24 MB of RAM. The device for collecting user input is a Cross iPad digitizing tablet used in conjuction with a Cross iPen stylus. The iPen is an ink pen containing an RF transmitter that sends stroke data to the digitizing tablet, which then forwards it to the computer. The computer performs handwriting recognition, then sends the resulting text to the matching module.The machine is housed in a beautiful converted antique Victorian writing desk, built in London in the 19th century. Eventually, we hope to add GPS support so that the Laptop knows where it is geographically and can use this fact to aid in saying something relevant in response to user input. We have designed the physical interface to give a feeling reminiscent of working with an actual writing desk, and have incorporated physical interface elements to enhance that tactile feeling. This is why an ink pen is used with the digitizing tablet; the user writes on paper placed on top of the tablet, thus experiencing something close to writing in an old-fashioned journal, as well as obtaining a permanent record of the interaction with the Victorian Laptop. The software is implemented in the Java Programming Language, making use of the Windows Pen Services 2.0 API.
| |
|
Page maintained by Petra Chong. |