"Ubiquitous computing is a vision in which computers are integrated into the user's environment and aid a user to perform everyday tasks." This is the domain of our project.

The Thermo Atlas project is investigating the development of a book which intracts with readers using heating, viberation and LEDs (Light emitting diods).

This project gives an overview of heat energy as a tool for observing the climate of different countries over the globe.

If you have any specific questions on Thermo Atlas, please contact us.

 

The Computing Component onTHERMO ATLAS is a BX24 microcontroller, which sends and receives the signals from the other components. The signal receiving components in THERMO ATLAS are PELTIER ELEMENTS, DIODES and VIBRATING MOTOR. Whereas, the microcontroller receives signals from the PAGE SENSORS and the TILT-SENSORS.

Temperature
The PELTIER ELEMENTS serves for the purpose of making the book either warm or cold. In order to switches between the polarities, THERMO ATLAS have two circuits of effect transistors (look at the schema over the components), one for each PELTIER ELEMENT. The power flow through the transistors depends on the signals (hot or cold) from two ports in the microcontroller.

Light
The THERMO ATLAS has 6 diodes, 3 on each page of the binder. For these diodes, the THERMO ATLAS uses 3 ports on the microcontroller. The diodes are sharing port two and two, one from each page of the binder. The reason for that is to have more ports left on the microcontroller for feature works. To indicate the diode in a pair which will light, the THERMO ATLAS uses the heat and cold signals and AND GATES. (Look at the schema over the components).

Vibration
The VIBRATION MOTOR gets power (1) from a signal, from a port on the microcontroller when it should start and later on no power (0) when it will stop.

Page Detection
The PAGE SENSORS are homemade and work like simple switches. When the switch is open the microcontroller port for that page gets zero and one when the port is closed. Every pages-cuff is a switch and has its own port on the microcontroller.
In each page of the binder there is a TILT-SENSOR which sends a signal to the microcontroller when it tilts 45-75?.
The program in the microcontroller sends out signals to the components depending on the signals it gets in.

 

THERMO ATLAS has been developed and designed using the best possible elements available. However still there are some areas which need some refinements and improvisation.

BOOK WEIGHT and Cooling System
The book weight makes it difficult to hold for longer time. The reason for this is the plates which have been used as book Condensers. Due to the unavailability of light weight elements, heavier plates we used, causing the book to weight more than we expected. If in future any metal which weights lighter than the plates been used in the book , can be found, then it will definitely decrease the book weight to great extent.
Also in order to remove the excess of heat any good condensing element can be used.

Book Lighting
Diodes were used in the book to indicate the degree of temperature of the country. A more delicate light meter can be used in future to make it more attractive and colorful.
Also a glowing bulb indicating the POWER (on / off) state of the book can be used.

Power supply
Due to some restriction on power availability we had to use two power cables. In future the batteries may be used instead. More powerful and long life batteries can be used. It will also enable the reader to take the book anywhere in the room not depending upon the power supply.