Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Psychology, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on August 7, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 37-42).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2000. / Title from title page. Extent of document: xiii, 207 p. : ill. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-207).

Η παρούσα ειδική ερευνητική εργασία εκπονήθηκε στα πλαίσια του Διατμηματικού Προγράμματος Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών στην “Ηλεκτρονική και Επεξεργασία της Πληροφορίας” στο τμήμα Φυσικής του Πανεπιστήμιου Πατρών. Ο στόχος της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η δημιουργία ενός αναπτυξιακού συστήματος για την υλοποίηση εφαρμογών που απαιτούν τη χρήση του δικτύου κινητής τηλεφωνίας. Το σύστημα αυτό θα πρέπει να μπορεί να λειτουργήσει αυτόνομα χωρίς υποστήριξη υπολογιστή. Το σύστημα έχει τη δυνατότητα χρήσης του δικτύου κινητής τηλεφωνίας (φωνή και δεδομένα) μέσω της χρήσης GSM Modem. Η αλληλεπίδραση με τον χρήστη γίνεται μέσω έγχρωμης οθόνης αφής με ενσωματωμένο resistive touch controller, που συμβάλει στην αυτόνομη λειτουργία του συστήματος. Το DSK 6713, που ενσωματώνει το TMS320C6713 DSP χρονίζεται στα 225 MHz, χρησιμοποιείται σαν κεντρική μονάδα για τη διασύνδεση αυτών αλλά και για την ανάπτυξη της όποιας εφαρμογής. Στο DSP υπάρχει διασυνδεδεμένος Audio Codec, μνήμη RAM και DMA Controller. To DSK C6713 δίνει τη δυνατότητα μέσω θυρών που έχει διαθέσιμες για την διασύνδεση και άλλων εξωτερικών συσκευών όπως κάμερα και SD card. Μαζί με το σύστημα αναπτύχθηκε και κώδικας για την επικοινωνία των υποσυστημάτων, καθώς και μία εφαρμογή γραφικού ισοσταθμιστή που κάνει χρήση δυνατοτήτων του συστήματος για την επίδειξη ορθής λειτουργίας αυτού. Το πρώτο κεφάλαιο αναφέρεται στην διασύνδεση των υποσυστημάτων και στους περιορισμούς που υπήρχαν από την κάθε πλευρά. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο περιγράφονται τα υποσυστήματα που αποτελούν το αναπτυξιακό. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο αναλύεται η εφαρμογή που αναπτύχθηκε στην κεντρική μονάδα, ενώ στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο το τμήμα της εφαρμογής που αναπτύχθηκε στην οθόνη αφής. Τέλος στο τελευταίο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα της εφαρμογής που υλοποιήθηκε . / This special research work was performed in the frame of the requirements of the M.Sc. "Electronics & Computers" in the Department of Physics at the University of Patras. The purpose of this study is to create a development system for developing applications that require the use of the mobile network. This system should be able to work independently without computer support. The system has the ability to use the mobile network (voice and data) by using GSM Modem. The user interaction is via color touch screen with an integrated resistive touch controller, which contributes to the autonomous system operation. The DSK C6713, which incorporates the TMS320C6713 DSP, that is clocked at 225 MHz, is used as a central unit for interconnecting these and for the development of any application. The DSP is interconnected with an Audio Codec, a RAM Memory and a DMA Controller. The DSK C6713 enables interconnection with other external devices such as camera and SD card. In addition, a code was developed for the communication of the subsystems. An application of a graphic equalizer was developed too, in order to make use of the system capabilities to demonstrate proper operation of this. The first chapter deals with the interconnection of the subsystems and the restrictions that existed on each side. The second chapter describes the subsystems that constitute the development. In the third chapter is described the application developed in the central unit while the fourth chapter presents the section of the application that was developed on the touch screen. Finally the last chapter presents the results of the application that were implemented.

Designers usually start their design process by exploring and evolving their ideas rapidly through sketching since this helps them to make numerous attempts at creating, practicing, simulating, and representing ideas. Creativity inherent in solving the ill-defined problems (Eastman, 1969) often emerges when designers explore potential solutions while sketching in the design process (Schön, 1992). When using computer programs such as CAD or Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools, designers often preplan the tasks prior to executing commands instead of engaging in the process of designing. Researchers argue that these programs force designers to focus on how to use a tool (i.e. how to execute series of commands) rather than how to explore a design, and thus hinder creativity in the early stages of the design process (Goel, 1995; Dorta, 2007). Since recent design and documentation works have been computer-generated using BIM software, transitions between ideas in sketches and those in digital CAD systems have become necessary. By employing sketch interactions, we argue that a computer system can provide a rapid, flexible, and iterative method to create 3D models with sufficient data for facilitating smooth transitions between designers’ early sketches and BIM programs. This dissertation begins by describing the modern design workflows and discussing the necessary data to be exchanged in the early stage of design. It then briefly introduces the modern cognitive theories, including embodiment (Varela, Rosch, & Thompson, 1992), situated action (Suchman, 1986), and distributed cognition (Hutchins, 1995). It continues by identifying problems in current CAD programs used in the early stage of the design process, using these theories as lenses. After reviewing modern attempts, including sketch tools and design automation tools, we describe the design and implementation of a sketch and multi-touch program, SolidSketch, to facilitate and augment our abilities to work on ill-defined problems in the early stage of design. SolidSketch is a parametric modeling program that enables users to construct 3D parametric models rapidly through sketch and multi-touch interactions. It combines the benefits of traditional design tools, such as physical models and pencil sketches (i.e. rapid, low-cost, and flexible methods), with the computational power offered by digital modeling tools, such as CAD. To close the gap between modern BIM and traditional sketch tools, the models created with SolidSketch can be read by other BIM programs. We then evaluate the programs with comparisons to the commercial CAD programs and other sketch programs. We also report a case study in which participants used the system for their design explorations. Finally, we conclude with the potential impacts of this new technology and the next steps for ultimately bringing greater computational power to the early stages of design.

Over the course of a day we meet countless materials and objects but rarely consider these surfaces of negotiation within the everyday environment. If we consider gestures as a language, then the actions we perform and the surfaces we encounter result in conversations with our surroundings. Where body meets details inside architecture, the commonplace ritual occurs. I will discuss the importance of touch in response to my finished work in Can you Handle this? but also during the making process.

Cette recherche traite de l’évolution, en France, depuis les années 1950, durapport au toucher des corps dans le soin aux nourrissons. Elle est réalisée à partird’une enquête de terrain menée auprès de plusieurs centaines de jeunes mères et denombreux praticiens : guérisseurs traditionnels, ostéopathes et médecins.Notre société est marquée par l’accentuation régulière du processusd’individuation interdisant progressivement le toucher des corps y compris dansl’univers médical. Dans notre analyse nous distinguons deux formes de toucherrépondant à des attentes différentes et aux enjeux nettement distincts. Le premier estun toucher « manipulation », intrusif, enjeu de domination entre soignant et soigné.Le second est un toucher « affectif », mêlant contact corporel et affect, impliquant lamaîtrise des pulsions au sein d'une civilisation de plus en plus régie par un fortautocontrôle libidinal.Dans le cas du soin au bébé, ces deux facettes du toucher ont évolué selon unetrajectoire inversée : le toucher manipulatoire, longtemps jugé indispensable, a étéprogressivement discrédité à partir des années 1970 jusqu’à être condamné à partirde la décennie 90. Dans le même temps, le toucher contact, selon une dynamiqueexactement inverse, est passé de la stigmatisation à la valorisation.Dans ce contexte, l’ostéopathie apparaît comme une voie de compromis entre desinjonctions sociétales contradictoires : toucher mais sans entrer, être efficace maisavec douceur, agir rapidement mais en prenant le temps de l’écoute des mots et desmaux, s’impliquer personnellement tout en gardant une distance professionnelle, et,par-dessus tout, s’adapter à l’individualité du patient en tenant compte de soncontexte global familial, économique et émotionnel. Le succès de cette pratique et dece type de toucher met en lumière des attentes sociales complexes et sophistiquées etau-delà d’elles, un ensemble de représentations du corps de la personne à« accompagner ».4 / The purpose of this research is to study how caregivers in France have evolvedsince the 1950s in the way they touch a patient’s body, especially in the case ofinfants. It is based on a multi-centred field survey of young mothers andpractitioners: traditional healers, osteopaths and physicians.Our society is marked by the steady rise in the process of individuation whichincreasingly forbids us from touching one another, even in the medical environment.To analyse this process, we distinguish two forms of physical manipulation thatrespond to different expectations with regard to distinctly different issues. The first isan intrusive "manipulative" touch, whereby a relationship of domination between thecaregiver and his/her patient is established. The second is an "affective" touchmixing body contact and warmth, implying control of the drives within a civilizationwhich is increasingly governed by a strong libidinal self-control.In the case of baby care, these two facets of touch have evolved in Francefollowing a reverse trajectory: the manipulative touch, long considered essential, hasbeen progressively discredited since the 1970s leading to its condemnation in the1990s. At the same time, the contact touch, following an exactly opposite dynamic,has gone from stigma to valorization.In this context, osteopathy appears to be a way achieving a compromise betweencontradictory societal injunctions: touching without penetrating, being effectivewhile being gentle, acting quickly while taking time to listen to the patients’ claims,getting involved personally while maintaining a professional distance and, above all,adjusting to the individuality of the patient, while taking into account the overallfamily, economic and emotional contexts. The success of this approach highlights aseries of complex and sophisticated popular expectations and, beyond them, a set ofrepresentations regarding of the body and the patient’s identity.

This thesis develops technology adoption and sensory information literatures through an evaluation of antecedents to consumers’ purchase location intention of Musical Instruments (MI). With the unique factor of instrument heterogeneity MI e-retail sales are information asymmetric propositions, where the consumer may make a sub-optimal purchase online having foregone the opportunity to experience the haptic information required to ascertain the instrument’s true quality. Despite a reticent adoption of MI e-retail from the traditional retail industry online MI sales are increasing, resulting in off-line marketplace contraction, thus investigation of consumers’ online MI purchase motivations is of value to the industry. The exploration of this topic uses a pragmatic, two-stage mixed-methods process incorporating inductive in-depth interviews with MI retail industry personnel, followed by deductive MI consumer based quantitative questionnaires. The reluctance to adopt e-retail is based on ‘expertise-led aversion’ and ‘expertise gap’ where key MI retail influencers attempt to enforce their own views on the correct way to purchase an instrument, rather than responding to consumer trends. This aversion was influenced by their own reliance on haptic information, coupled with knowledge of instrument heterogeneity and their level of musicianship. Consumer research conclusions identify that high haptic-need consumers, who tend to have greater ability and involvement, are more likely to purchase in-store whilst those with lower haptic needs are more willing to purchase MI online. Through the design and empirical testing of the Musical Instrument Need-for-Touch (MINFT) model numerous factors were identified as moderators to this basic supposition. The subsequent development of a MI consumer typology identified five distinct groups that respond to differing stimuli in relation to MI purchase location intention. These findings add to the academic discourse and enable MI retailers to enhance their offerings both in-store and online, leading to more effective targeting of their key customers.

Les systèmes haptiques, ou systèmes de simulation de textures, sont aujourd'hui en plein essor et représentent le prochain challenge pour les appareils mobiles. L'une des solutions les plus prometteuses est celle à base de réduction de friction par vibrations ultrasoniques. L'objectif de cette thèse est de développer une solution haptique répondant au critère d’intégration de la téléphonie mobile en termes d’intégration et de consommation électrique. Plus précisément, il est de proposer une solution à base de couches minces piézoélectriques déposées sur une plaque transparente de la taille d’un écran de smartphone. Après avoir identifié les phénomènes de perception tactile, nous avons établi les spécifications du cahier des charges permettant obtenir un stimulateur haptique. Un modèle théorique de vibration, basé sur la réflexion des ondes de Lamb, nous a permis de déterminer les modes de vibration répondant à ce cahier des charges pour une plaque de la taille d’un smartphone d'écran 5 pouces libre de toutes contraintes. Des transducteurs piézoélectriques en nitrure d’aluminium sont utilisés pour la mise en vibration du système haptique. Déposés sur une face de la plaque, leur position et leur dimensionnement ont été optimisés grâce à des simulations par éléments finis. Le dispositif tactile final sera conçu de façon à laisser un espace central transparent de 4 pouces de diagonal permettant l’ajout d’un écran LCD. Le prototype ainsi déterminé, il est fabriqué grâce à des techniques de dépôt et de gravure en salle blanche. Le dispositif réalisé est caractérisé électriquement et mécaniquement. On détermine alors la puissance nécessaire pour la mise en vibration de la plaque avec des amplitudes correspondant au cahier des charges. Une optimisation de l’électronique de commande permet de réduire la puissance d’actionnement de ce système. Des transducteurs, utilisés en capteurs, sont caractérisés. Ces derniers seront utilisés pour asservir le système dans le cas d’un appui simulant le doigt sur la plaque. / Haptic rendering systems, or textural recreated systems, are nowaday in constant expension and represent the next challenge for the mobile devices. One of the promising solution is based on the friction reduction generated by ultrasonic waves. The aim of this PhD is to develop an haptic rendering solution taking into account the issues of integration into mobile devices in terms of power consumption. More precisely, a solution based on piezoelectric thin films deposited onto a smartphone-sized transparent plate is proposed. Understanding the tactile perception phenomenons, the physical specifications are established in order to obtain an haptic stimulator. A theoretical model based on the Lamb wave reflections determined the vibration modes corresponding to the specifications for a constrain-free 5-inch smartphone size plate.The plate is put into vibration by Aluminum Nitrite thin-film piezoelectric transducers. Processed on one side of the plate, their dimension and position have been optimized thanks to finite element simulations. The final tactile prototype is designed allowing a 4-inch clear centrale space for positioning a futur LCD screen. After this design, the prototype is fabricated with cleanroom processes. The device is then electrically and mechanically characterized. The minimum power necessary to put in vibration the plate is determined, with the minimum specified vibration amplitude. The electronic for the actuation is optimized in order to reduce the power consumption of the system. Transducers, used as sensors, are characterized in order to create a feedback loop. A user case is finally studied to compensate the influence of the finger.

In a cultural web of myth, sexualisation and prejudice, how do older, British singletons gain access to health-giving, non-sexual touch? This study takes interview material from five single women and three single men (all cisgender, white, heterosexual, British, between 37-76 years) and interlaces it with autoethnographic commentary, poems and artworks to explore negotiations around touch. Drawing on Haraway and Barad’s theoretical concept of “entanglements” (2008; 2007), cross-disciplinary connections are woven across feminist new materialism and social sciences, the body and discourse, the conscious and subconscious. Findings, which are partial, provisional, messy and complex (Haraway 1988), include powerful narratives of shame, denial and cauterisation of touch-needs. These co-exist with corporeal tales of the richness and variety of touch-opportunities, the tactile importance of cats and a “turn” by the oldest, female participants away from a romantic, heterosexual partner towards bonding with the landscape.