Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
(sound effects and music) utilizing a water pressure sensor equipped in an external
water heater. In this system, bathwater coupled with sound enables a new level of
active interaction.
To further expand the expression of sound during quiet bathing (minimal move-
ment), this system takes account of the bather's vital signs. For everyday computing,
it is important for this system to show health management information such as the
bather's physiological and psychological states and to keep the bather informed of
those states. To collect vital signs, the system utilizes a hidden interface that unob-
trusively measures these states when the bather is submerged, without attaching any
sensors to the body. In addition, the system processes the sound made by vital signs
such as breathing changes and heartbeats even in a quiet bathing state (no movement).
One condition to keep in mind is that heartbeats tend to rise as the bathing period
lengthens because of water pressure and heat stress on the body. The Bathonify sys-
tem uses this tendency to correlate the music tempo with the beating of the heart.
The bather can thus be aware of his/her health and changing body state through the
tempo of the music.
This novel bathing environment enables a bather to experience auditory pleasure
as well as monitor vital signs in an unobtrusive manner. However, it must be kept in
mind that sound design is one of the most important factors in the seamless coupling
of functionality and ambient media.
6.2.2
System Overview and Design
Figure
6.1
gives an overview of the Bathonify system along with the embedded
features described in the previous section. The information and technology required
for each feature are described below.
6.2.2.1
Measuring Movement Information
In the Bathonify system, a water pressure sensor embedded in a fully-automatic
bathwater heater measures the movement of water inside the bathtub. This sensor only
checks the water level periodically; thus, it is idle most of the time. By continuously
measuring the water pressure, we can measure changes in the water level as well
as monitor water surface ripples and dynamic pressure changes in the bathwater.
This type of sensor is already present in bathing equipment and is very safe against
electric shock in watery environments. The sensor itself resides inside the water
heater, which provides a hidden interface out of the bather's view. We consider that
a bather can influence water movement in the following ways:
1. Stir the water in the bathtub to eliminate temperature differences.
2. Ladle water from a wash bowl or a bucket (small movement).
3. Become submerged in the bathwater (resulting in the water level rising).
4. Move arms around in the bathtub.
5. Exit the bathtub (resulting in the water level lowering).
