Sensor Observations
I observed sensors in Othmer Hall while completing a small task.
Identified Sensors:
push button to open automated doors
when the doors open, I know it worked, it was a one time interaction
tap ID to gain access to dorms (open gates)
when the light turns green and the gate opens, I know that it interaction worked
place hand under dispenser for sanitizer
this one did not work, and I know because no sanitizer came out
however I did try a few times to get it because there was no indication either way
push button to call for elevator
there is a light that comes on when you push the call button, and a sound emits from the elevator (whichever one out of the three) is coming, each “beep” is for a floor progression
when the elevator arrives, it “dings” and the doors open
put leg in danger to open elevator doors
this sensor is maybe the only one that did not identify itself, but it’s fairly universally known because it is a built in safety feature as a last resort, so it doesn’t want to draw attention to the fact that you can do this
I feel it’s more likely that the lack of a sensor would need to be called out
push button to turn on AC
select temperature to automate to desired room temperature
this device you pushed a button to turn on, and then another button to set a temperature, from there, the air would turn “on” if the temperature of the room was higher than the setting, and turn “off” if the temperature was lower or equal to the setting
walk (move) into laundry room to activate lights
this one I knew existed because it turned on, and when it turned off, I had to move around a little bit to get the light to turn back on
I had to look around for a sensor, I think I found it but I’m not sure because I couldn’t observe any pattern with movement and lights being on/off
camera hover over QR code to to identify washing machine
this interaction was interesting because it had multiple parts:
first you load your laundry and close the door
then you select your setting
then you hover your phone camera over the QR code attached to the machine so that the app you previously downloaded recognizes which machine it is going to activate
the app asks you if you are okay with the cost and if you select “yes” on your phone and approve the purchase
you then push the start button on the washing machine to start the machine
there is dual recognition of the interaction being successful, through the app itself which tells you that the payment went through and the machine is starting, and also the machine itself begins its cycle
tap phone to ePort for Apple Pay to buy something from a vending machine
this was my least favorite interaction because of how unclear it was
I tapped my phone to the ePort to use Apple Pay and the ePort beeped, but the screen on the machine said “tap to begin”
I figured this might mean that I needed to tap the screen to begin, not tap my card, so I tapped the screen
the screen showed a 5$ credit on the machine although I had never specified an amount, and showed numbers for my to enter my selection
after entering my selection on the screen, the vending machine deposited my snack (Twix) and charged me the 1.25$ amount, showing a credit of 3.75$ and the keypad again for another selection
I hit “cancel transaction” and it returned to the “tap to start” screen
In order to confirm a 1.25$ charge and not a 5$ charge, I used my mobile banking app to see that I was charge 5$ but am being refunded 1.25$
one day, if I’m feeling strong, I’ll dig into all the sensors involved in my single phone interaction
alarms
CO2 sensor
fire sprinkler sensor
hopefully these two are sensing…but there’s really not much of a way to tell from my point of view, I assume that there’s a blinking light for on, and that since it is a safety alarm that it would emit a sound if it malfunctioned or ran out of battery
