Prototype: Word Scanning Device Redesigned

Here are the pictures of the new prototype plasticine model made by Elliot. This prototype model indicates all the physical changes made to the original prototype developed.



This picture shows the USB socket on the device along with the headphone socket, which was part of the original concept but was never indicated on the original plasticine model:



Device now works well for both Left and Right handed people, after Paul's walkthrough indicated that because he was left handed the screen was upside down whilst scanning. We have rectified this by adding a screen flip option in the menu system.

Prototype: New Prototype Diagram

I have drawn a more detailed diagram of our new prototype design, click the image below to enlarge it.

Prototype: New Prototype Design

Here are the pictures taken in todays meeting where we redesigned our prototype.

The key features that were developed from the original prototype were:

1. A grip has been added to make the pen easier to hold.
2. The text on the screen has the ability now to flip over so the pen can be used by both right and left handed people with ease(this feature is available in the menu).
3. The sound volume can now be increased or decreased from the menu system.
4. A 'beep' tone has been added so that the device beeps when a scan has been initiated and will beep again when the word has been scanned to indicate that a word has been read.
5. The wording on the menu system has been altered slightly to make it clearer to the user that the 'Dictionary' and the 'Thesaurus' will only show results based on the scanned in word only.
6. The length of the device has been increased from 8cm to 10cm so that the screen on the device can be made slightly bigger and also provide improved comfort in the hand.

Questionnaire Analysis

The questionnaires filled in by our target audience flagged up a few issues with our initial design.

One of the more important and serious points that was rasied was usage by left-handed people.
Currently the whole device is designed to be used in the right hand, but this could be a problem for approximately 12% of the population. We need to look into developing either 2 different devices, or 1 that is somehow usable by both groups of people.

The test subjects also commented that the size of the device could be increased, both to provide a larger, more readable screen, and also for ergonomic reasons.
The device was reported to be quite "square" and therefore more difficult to hold than it could be if it had added grips or curves. A suggestion would be to "mould" the device around the natural curves of the hand to ensure maximum comfort for users.

Evaluation: Critical Appraisal

Our first prototype built on ours designs is around 8cm long and this feels a bit short in for my hand, obviously this product is aimed at users with smaller hands. The button layout is quite good and the size and placing of the buttons reflect their purpose.

The device is not particularly ergonomic and would be quite uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. The device is a suitable size to be carried in the pocket or around the neck but could afford to be larger without compromising this. Operation is fairly intuitive and the menu's are clear, however the screen size is limited by the size of the device and could benefit from being enlarged.

Scanning words is simple although takes some getting used to. The combination of audio and visual output make the device fun and accessible although screen size is a hindrance of on-screen information.

Connecting the device to a PC is straight forward and is the same as all other USB style devices such as cameras and MP3 players. This activity may require assistance from a computer literate adult but could easily be demonstrated and understood.

Prototype: Word Scanner Interface

Me and Elliot decided to make a mock up interface which would be shown on the device. This interface is made on a PowerPoint presentation and the controls of the word scanning device have also been simulated in the presentation to show how the users interaction with the device controls the menu options on the LCD screen.

To view the PowerPoint presentation click on the slide picture below:



To view a PowerPoint Show of the interface click HERE

Prototype: LCD Screen Size

In our meeting we decided to make the screen show 3 lines of text, we came to this conclusion after studying different mobile phone screens and comparing their sizes with how many lines of text the screen could show.

We concluded that a lot of text could be shown on a small mobile phone screen and could be read quite easily. As a group we came to the decision that 3 lines of text was about the right amount for our word scanner design to accommodate everything we wished to show on screen and would be clearly visible to the user.

Here is an example mobile phone screen with many lines of text on it, showing that a lot of text can be accommodated on a small screen which can also be read with ease.

Prototype: Interface Design

Here is a picture I took in today's meeting where we discussed the interface layout on the word scanning device.



We discussed that the interface should have 3 lines of text, this way the first line can be used for the word that was scanned by the device and the other 2 lines can be used for further menu functions such as a dictionary definition, thesaurus entries and the ability to turn the sound on the device on or off.

The interface could be controlled by the scroll button beside the screen. The scroll button would allow a user to go through the options and pushing the scroll button in, could be used to select a highlighted option.

Prototype: Error Messages

Something we missed out of our prototype drawings that is part of the system will be an error message on the LCD screen.

If the user attempts to scan a word the device could not read, or they accidentally press the scan button initiating a new scan when not placed on a word. Then on completion of the scan an error message should be displayed on the LCD screen explaining that the word scanned could not be identified. This way the user can see if the scanner does not know a word.

Prototype: Interface Model

I have knocked together a quick software prototype in java. It lets you 'scan' words, then displays various information about it.

I can't upload the program, so here's a screen shot.


We can try it out with the personas later, but it probably needs a bit of adjustment first.

Prototype: Plasticine Model

I thought it might be a good idea to make a plasticine version of the device, so we can consider shape and size easier. It's turned out quite well, and I've just finished freezing it to give it some durability.

The photos below show the results:




Shot showing the laser point at the end of the device, placed in the centre instead of the corner, which means that left handed people can use it by just flipping the device over - but this will require the screen to have a flipping ability.



Birdseye view of the device, the white shows the position of the screen. The big red button is the scan button and the green represents a scroll wheel to scroll through options on the screen.



The rear of the device showing the USB connector. There should also be a headphone socket, but I neglected to put a second hole on the base as it may have affected the durability of the model

Prototype: Word Scanning Device

Here's a mock-up of the main features of the device. It is based on the rough sketch that was done on the board and can be seen in a previous post.


This screen shot shows how the device would look if the word "Algorithm" was scanned in by the user. It gives a brief dictionary definition, and provides the first of the remaining options (Thesaurus and Read Out).


The third screen shot shows how the device would look if the word "Algorithm" was scanned, and the Thesaurus option was chosen. It gives 2 alternatives to the word, and again, provides the first option of the remaining ones.
Other options are scrolled through using the green scroll button.


The device is designed to be easy to use with obvious buttons and colours for different functions, while not being too "immature", as even at a young age, children are very conscious of their tastes in fashion and style.

Prototype: Possible Name of Device

A possible name for the word scanning device that has been thought up by the group is " The Word Scanner - making reading easy" This name was decided upon as it was simple to read matching the phase that followed the name and the purpose of the device.

Prototype: Mind maps, Initial design

Here are the pictures that I took of the work we did in meeting 7 on the whiteboards. These pictures show our initial work on the word scanner prototype, which we plan to continue on in later meetings.

The first 2 pictures show mind maps of the word scanner idea, gathering our preliminary thoughts on the features of the device.







The third picture shows our initial drawing of the word scanner prototype taking into account everything we had discussed.

Prototype: Key Decisions

At our meeting we brainstormed our main ideas regarding the initial prototype of the word scanner. Below is a list of them and the motivations and reasons behind them.

Physical:
We decided that the device would try and use bright colours in a tasteful way, so that it is fun and aesthetically pleasing to children. However, the colour isn't overly important, as the nature of the device doesn't require it, and it is important that taste is taken into account. The colours the group decided were probably the best were Red, Green and Blue (the dark varieties).

The device needs to be light weight so children can hold it easily. If it's too heavy it could also pose a saftey concern as it could cause a repetitive strain injury. As well as the weight potentially causing injury, the device will need to be as round as possible so that the child doesn't stab themselves or others with it.

Device needs to be durable so it doesn't get damaged. The group decided that a thick rubbery material would be best to protect the inside of the device.

The controls need to be big and easy to use, as children will struggle with small buttons and a too intricate design. The photo of a design on the whiteboard shows this in more detail.

Device needs to be pocket sized, so that a child can keep it with them during school time and whilst at home.


Power:
The device won't take much power to run and so it is not too much to expect the device to run for a combined amount of running time of around 6-12 hours. The device will also need to turn itself off automatically as children will forget to do this.

The device will recharge via its USB connection and through a standard plug like a mobile phone (using the USB connection).


USB:
Use for recharging and for connecting to the PC. Connecting it to a PC with an Internet connection will update the software on the scanner, meaning that we can constantly update things like the Dictionary definitions and Thesaurus entries.

Parents and teachers will have the ability to see what sorts of words and levels of words that the child is scanning, through software available on the computer that uses the USB connection.


Sound:
The device will need sound to read the word and make other general noises, to be considered further.