Contribution of fibre to the visual perception of fabric roughness

Hrapavost je mjera teksture površine tkanina, koja nikad nije savršeno glatka. Općenito, ovisi o karakteristikama vlakana, finoći pređe, broju uvoja na pređi i strukturi tkanine (gustoći taknine u smjeru osbove i potke te vezu tkanine). Tekstura kao složeniji spoj osjeta opipa i vida, može se istraživati bilo mehaničkim metodama, putem sile trenja ili optičkim metodama. Svrha ovoga istraživanja je odrediti do kojeg stupnja finoća vlakana utječe na vizualnu percepciju teksture tkanina, kod subjektivne ocjene i upotrebom analize slike tkanina. Ispitivanje je pokazalo da hrapavost tkanina raste s porastom finoće upotrijebljenih vlakana, a može se utvrditi korištenjem osjetljivih optičkih metoda, dok se oči nisu u stanju da razaznaju ovu razliku.Roughness is a measure of the surface texture of fabrics, which is never ideally smooth. In general, it depends upon fibre properties, yarn count, yarn twist, and fabric structure (weft and warp density, as well as fabric design). Texture as a complex of sight and touch can be investigated by either mechanical methods, through friction or optical methods. The aim of this research is to determine the degree to which fibre count influences the visual perception, firstly by subjective evaluation and then by image analysis. The research showed that optical methods are sensitive enough to distinguish the increase of fabric roughness coming from increased fibre count, while human eyes are unable to make a distinction

Design and Analysis of Haptic-Audio Based System for the Visually Impaired to Shop Online

Many visually impaired customers are keen to shop online, however, they often encounter accessibility barriers such as accessing and interpreting complex designed websites and when trying to make online payment which required them to input card details by filling up payment form. In order to study whether the visually impaired could shop online without assistance, an online store which has features such as product catalogue, shopping cart and payment system was developed. The system utilizes the Falcon haptic device and voice recognition for navigation, interaction, accessing and haptic evaluation of products. Some of our qualitative analysis suggests that a framed three-section design product catalogue with directed dialogue, directional cues, audio information along with a haptic-audio enabled browser is feasible for the visually impaired to browse, select and haptically evaluate products; a XHTML and VoiceXML based shopping cart system can enable the visually impaired to interact and verify its contents; and a voice password based payment system can be used to automate forms data entry process and to help the visually impaired to make online payment independently

Haptic interaction with a virtual 3D model: A multimodal interactive system for 3D solar system

Haptic interaction has become more and more important in interactive technology. In current human-computer interaction, haptic interaction has been considered as an important additional interactive method. The benefits of haptic interaction mainly include high efficiency, accuracy and naturalness. In this thesis, a multimodal interactive system was implemented based on a large volume 3D model of the solar system. This multimodal interactive system included two subsystems which separately used traditional computer interactive devices, a mouse and a keyboard, as well as a new haptic interaction device. These two interactive subsystems contained many relevant interactive functions for the user to interact with the model of the solar system and the models of celestial bodies inside it. In addition, the interactive methods for a large volume 3D model were studied in this research. Finally, a user study was employed to demonstrate the benefits of haptic interaction in a multimodal interactive system, and also the methods for improving current haptic technology had been discussed. To sum up, the work of the thesis includes a theoretical discussion, the implementation of a multimodal interactive system and a user study, which focuses on the research for haptic interaction in the field of human-computer interaction. Asiasanat: Haptic interaction, virtual 3D model, multimodal interactive system, human-computer interactio

Weavesound: interactive woven textiles that emit the sounds of being touched

This research employs a practice-based approach to examining the multi-sensory relationship between textiles and the body. Eczema, the highly sensitive skin condition, is used as a conceptual prism to scrutinise this relationship. Its rough three-dimensional surface is the basis for a range of electronic woven textiles that have been made into garments. The textiles are constructed from materials also used in the treatment of eczema, although the fabrics are not intended to be therapeutic. When the textiles are touched, their amplified sounds of being touched in real time is emitted through speakers. The sounds evidence the materiality of cloth and refer to the materiality of the body, whilst also highlighting the sounds of textiles themselves. The project also highlights the importance of touch in relation to textiles and the embodied nature of clothing. The research contests the historical western hierarchy of the senses, in which sight is privileged above all others, and challenges the dominance of sight in the appreciation of artworks. It is informed by recent developments in neuroscience, experimental psychology and sensory anthropology, as well as the sensory and material turns in the arts and humanities. The approach to the research has been cross-disciplinary and straddles craft, textile technology, electronics and computing, sound recording, and medical science. The enquiry has employed a process-led methodology of learning through making, combining traditional hand craft skills with digital technology. The research uncovered findings in three areas. The first concerns the delicate reciprocal relationship between textiles and eczematous skin, the second concerns the sounds of textiles being touched, and the third concerns public engagement with eczema research. These areas are generally investigated through scientific outputs, but in this research they are scrutinised through an interactive artistic output that reveals the multi-sensory experience of wearing textiles and the materiality of the body and cloth