17-03-2011, 10:09 AM
Submitted By,
Manoj.D
Vignesh.P
[attachment=10362]
Code BLUE: A Bluetooth Interactive Dance Club System
Abstract:
This paper examines the use of Bluetooth for a collaborative music creation system called codeBLUE where the low cost, low power and small dimensions of Bluetooth technology are critical. Dancers using the codeBLUE system wear clothing incorporating Bluetooth enabled sensors that measure and transmit information about the dancers’ movements to a Bluetooth access point positioned in the demonstration area, which in turn forwards the information to a control system. The system software transforms the simple dance movements into musical modifications in real time, altering the melodic, rhythmic, and dynamic properties of the music stream in terms of MIDI parameters. A configuration console allows the DJ to modify the effects that each type of sensor produces, providing him or her yet another channel of creativity and keeping the codeBLUE experience fresh for participants.The paper describes the architecture, design, and hardware and software implementation of the codeBLUE proof-of-concept prototype. The paper also discusses our evaluation of the technology used for this application.
Introduction:
Collaborative music creation can be one of the most powerful forms of human communication. Playing in private improvisational sessions or at public concerts exhilarates musicians due to the exchanges of emotional and intellectual information inherent in such creative settings. While many people express themselves musically by whistling and humming, relatively few have enough confidence in their musical abilities to collaborate openly with others. This paper explores whether emerging Bluetooth technology [Bluespec, Bluebook01] can be used to provide a means for allowing untrained performers to share in the joy of musical collaboration and interaction. The idea is to develop a wireless interactive dance club environment that presents users with a simplified and intuitive musical interface. By transforming simple dance movements into musical modifications, untrained performers can collaborate in ways previously reserved for seasoned professionals. (A glance at the popularity of
karaoke and sing-alongs demonstrates the powerful attraction of informal and amateur musical collaborations.) This paper presents the architecture, design, and hardware and software implementation of a prototype Bluetooth wireless dance club system, called codeBLUE. Our objective is to explore the practical viability of using Bluetooth wireless technology to expand and realize the opportunities for interactive musical collaboration. While previous research projects [e.g. Paradiso99] have also considered interactive dance club applications, we believe
that Bluetooth technology, with its low cost, low power, and small dimensions, has the potential to render musical collaboration through dance for tens and possibly hundreds of participants a reality.
Example scenario. Ali, Bob and Carol are at Club codeBLUE, and have been outfitted with various wireless sensors. The DJ is playing a continuous selection of dance music. A motion sensor attached to Ali's sleeve allows him to modify the volume of the drumbeat on channel 1 when he moves his arm in a certain way; a pressure sensor attached to Bob's shoes allows him to raise or lower the pitch of certain instruments on channel 2 by tap dancing; and a force sensor in Carol’s palm allows her to alter the ceiling lights near her by clapping her hands.
Like other participants, Ali, Bob and Carol are provided detailed instructions about the effects of each sensor by the doormen or DJ; alternatively they are allowed to discover them completely by experimentation, or something in between. As they learn and interact the quality of their collaboration becomes more interesting. Participants wearing sensors that cause the same effects discover each other over the course of a session and experiment by synchronizing their movements. (A simple analog is the way spectators at a sporting event collaborate to form “the wave”.) The DJ can modify the effects that each type of sensor produces, possibly in accordance with the characteristics of the music (disco, rock, new wave, etc.), or over the course of a session, providing him or her yet another channel of creativity and keeping the codeBLUE experience fresh for participants.
The codeBLUE scenario immediately raises several constraints. The weight and form factor of a wearable device has to be such as to make it unobtrusive during dancing or movement. The device has to be rugged enough to withstand use in a dance club. Battery life has to be long enough not only to last a dance session but also to minimize the cost and nuisance of replacement. Finally, the cost of the device itself has to be sufficiently low to warrant its use in a dance club environment Sensors meeting these requirements are available in the market today. This fact along with the use of Bluetooth technology allows us to meet the requirements. To a largeextent, codeBLUE rests on the promise of light, lowpower, inexpensive Bluetooth technology.
Our contributions in this paper are as follows. We investigate a novel application domain for Bluetooth wireless technology, namely human collaboration, and its instantiation for a wireless dance club environment. We also investigate the practical viability of applying Bluetooth for this class of applications. In the following section we describe the system model and architectture. In sections 3 and 4 we describe the hardware and software design respectively. In section 5 we briefly discuss the cost and usability features of codeBLUE, as well as related work. Finally we end with conclusions and suggestions for further work.
The codeBLUE prototype system has been implemented and successfully demonstrated before a live audience in an auditorium with state-of-the-art theatrical lighting and sound equipment to create an interactive musical environment.
System Model and Architecture:
A block diagram of the system architecture is shown in Figure 1. Battery-operated wireless sensor modules are worn by participants and communicate sensor data (pressure, temperature, etc.) to wireless access points over Bluetooth links. Each sensor module consists of a body sensor, a microcontroller, and a Bluetooth module. An access point has power as well as wired LAN connections and is typically mounted on the dance club ceiling.
The access point relays the sensor data packet over an Ethernet LAN to the codeBLUE Controller computer. The Controller interfaces to a standard Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) format file player for sound effects.
Manoj.D
Vignesh.P
[attachment=10362]
Code BLUE: A Bluetooth Interactive Dance Club System
Abstract:
This paper examines the use of Bluetooth for a collaborative music creation system called codeBLUE where the low cost, low power and small dimensions of Bluetooth technology are critical. Dancers using the codeBLUE system wear clothing incorporating Bluetooth enabled sensors that measure and transmit information about the dancers’ movements to a Bluetooth access point positioned in the demonstration area, which in turn forwards the information to a control system. The system software transforms the simple dance movements into musical modifications in real time, altering the melodic, rhythmic, and dynamic properties of the music stream in terms of MIDI parameters. A configuration console allows the DJ to modify the effects that each type of sensor produces, providing him or her yet another channel of creativity and keeping the codeBLUE experience fresh for participants.The paper describes the architecture, design, and hardware and software implementation of the codeBLUE proof-of-concept prototype. The paper also discusses our evaluation of the technology used for this application.
Introduction:
Collaborative music creation can be one of the most powerful forms of human communication. Playing in private improvisational sessions or at public concerts exhilarates musicians due to the exchanges of emotional and intellectual information inherent in such creative settings. While many people express themselves musically by whistling and humming, relatively few have enough confidence in their musical abilities to collaborate openly with others. This paper explores whether emerging Bluetooth technology [Bluespec, Bluebook01] can be used to provide a means for allowing untrained performers to share in the joy of musical collaboration and interaction. The idea is to develop a wireless interactive dance club environment that presents users with a simplified and intuitive musical interface. By transforming simple dance movements into musical modifications, untrained performers can collaborate in ways previously reserved for seasoned professionals. (A glance at the popularity of
karaoke and sing-alongs demonstrates the powerful attraction of informal and amateur musical collaborations.) This paper presents the architecture, design, and hardware and software implementation of a prototype Bluetooth wireless dance club system, called codeBLUE. Our objective is to explore the practical viability of using Bluetooth wireless technology to expand and realize the opportunities for interactive musical collaboration. While previous research projects [e.g. Paradiso99] have also considered interactive dance club applications, we believe
that Bluetooth technology, with its low cost, low power, and small dimensions, has the potential to render musical collaboration through dance for tens and possibly hundreds of participants a reality.
Example scenario. Ali, Bob and Carol are at Club codeBLUE, and have been outfitted with various wireless sensors. The DJ is playing a continuous selection of dance music. A motion sensor attached to Ali's sleeve allows him to modify the volume of the drumbeat on channel 1 when he moves his arm in a certain way; a pressure sensor attached to Bob's shoes allows him to raise or lower the pitch of certain instruments on channel 2 by tap dancing; and a force sensor in Carol’s palm allows her to alter the ceiling lights near her by clapping her hands.
Like other participants, Ali, Bob and Carol are provided detailed instructions about the effects of each sensor by the doormen or DJ; alternatively they are allowed to discover them completely by experimentation, or something in between. As they learn and interact the quality of their collaboration becomes more interesting. Participants wearing sensors that cause the same effects discover each other over the course of a session and experiment by synchronizing their movements. (A simple analog is the way spectators at a sporting event collaborate to form “the wave”.) The DJ can modify the effects that each type of sensor produces, possibly in accordance with the characteristics of the music (disco, rock, new wave, etc.), or over the course of a session, providing him or her yet another channel of creativity and keeping the codeBLUE experience fresh for participants.
The codeBLUE scenario immediately raises several constraints. The weight and form factor of a wearable device has to be such as to make it unobtrusive during dancing or movement. The device has to be rugged enough to withstand use in a dance club. Battery life has to be long enough not only to last a dance session but also to minimize the cost and nuisance of replacement. Finally, the cost of the device itself has to be sufficiently low to warrant its use in a dance club environment Sensors meeting these requirements are available in the market today. This fact along with the use of Bluetooth technology allows us to meet the requirements. To a largeextent, codeBLUE rests on the promise of light, lowpower, inexpensive Bluetooth technology.
Our contributions in this paper are as follows. We investigate a novel application domain for Bluetooth wireless technology, namely human collaboration, and its instantiation for a wireless dance club environment. We also investigate the practical viability of applying Bluetooth for this class of applications. In the following section we describe the system model and architectture. In sections 3 and 4 we describe the hardware and software design respectively. In section 5 we briefly discuss the cost and usability features of codeBLUE, as well as related work. Finally we end with conclusions and suggestions for further work.
The codeBLUE prototype system has been implemented and successfully demonstrated before a live audience in an auditorium with state-of-the-art theatrical lighting and sound equipment to create an interactive musical environment.
System Model and Architecture:
A block diagram of the system architecture is shown in Figure 1. Battery-operated wireless sensor modules are worn by participants and communicate sensor data (pressure, temperature, etc.) to wireless access points over Bluetooth links. Each sensor module consists of a body sensor, a microcontroller, and a Bluetooth module. An access point has power as well as wired LAN connections and is typically mounted on the dance club ceiling.
The access point relays the sensor data packet over an Ethernet LAN to the codeBLUE Controller computer. The Controller interfaces to a standard Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) format file player for sound effects.