Stereolithography Mock-up with Internal Camera for Interface Simulation and Usability Data Acquisition

• Published in: Nihon Kikai Gakkai ronbunshū. C Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 927 - 934
• Main Authors: Murakami, Tamotsu, Nakano, Michiki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: 01.03.2007
• ISSN: 0387-5024

We propose a new type of mock-up consisting of a transparent solid object, fabricated by stereolithography, with a small video camera embedded inside. By processing the video image of the object surface taken from the inside in real time, operation data of the mock-up (e.g., when interfaces such as buttons and dials are operated by the users) and usage (e.g., which hand and fingers are used to operate the buttons and dials of the mock-up) data can be obtained. Consequently, a simple stereolithography model without sensors or circuits can be a functional mock-up. By analyzing these automatically obtained usage data, operation data and the result of functional simulation, some usability data will be obtained or extracted. Designers can use such data to improve the usability of the product that the mock-up imitates. The feasibility and validity of the concept is confirmed and reported on the basis of three experiments.