1.

A Gesture Recognition Input Device

Design and build a ring that is able to recognize hand movements and use these movements to control various devices.  Needs a team of two or more

Dr Peter Sutton

2.

Build non-battery based power sources.

Design of power sources to replace batteries for ubiquitous computing appliances (eg, RF powered, light powered, etc).  Expected to produce a working demonstration, plus a design procedure to enable the design of power sources to meet specific current and voltage requirements.

3.

Embeddable clock source

Design and implement an embeddable clock source.  This could draw upon a satellite-based system (eg, GPS), a “standards” RF signal (WWV), or something else (eg, a pager broadcast).  This would go into VCRs, ovens, clocks, etc.

4.

Electronic Post-It Notes

Information posted on office doors in paper form (e.g. lecturer availability) is often out of date soon after posting or may become out of date when the office occupant is away from the office (and is therefore
unable to update the information). This project would involve developing an electronic replacement for the paper sign or post-it note, possibly based on a PalmPilot or Compaq handheld. Ideally, the device should be able to be updated from afar (over the network). Other possible options include (a) device provides capability for messages to be left, (b) device responds to Elvin (http://elvin.dstc.edu.au) notifications, (c) displayed information is extracted from a (remote) database/calendar system.

Dr Peter Sutton

5.

Standalone WebCam

Circuit Cellar recently published an article describing the construction of a standalone webcam (i.e. no PC necessary) (http://www.chipcenter.com/circuitcellar/august00/c0800bl1.htm). This project involves a similar goal, but with different hardware (embedded processor, video camera). The result should have better performance than the Circuit Cellar version (e.g. more frequent image updates possible) and ideally perform all image processing on the server side (rather than pushing it into a Java applet running in client web browsers).

Dr Peter Sutton

6.

Phone initiated videoconferencing

Most desktop videoconferencing software is more difficult to use than a standard telephone and often provides lower quality audio, indeed such software is often used in conjunction with a conventional telephone link. The aim of this project is to develop a PC-based phone initiated videoconferencing system. A PC (with attached video camera) will detect (e.g. via a smart modem card) a phone number being dialed on a telephone and, if the number matches that of a similarly equipped user and the call succeeds, attempt to establish a video link between the callers.

Dr Peter Sutton

7.

PICONET  II

Design and implement an RF network communications between two Compaq Handhelds.  This is an extension of a project last year.  Have a look at the proposal approved of by Compaq.  People taking this project might be working at Compaq Research Labs at the Gold Coast.

8.

Campus Mate

Design and implement a navigation system for finding your way around the UQ St Lucia campus using GPS and a Compaq handheld computer.  Have a look at the proposal approved of by Compaq.  People taking this project might be working at Compaq Research Labs at the Gold Coast.

9.

ATM network projects

Get an ATM switch, a video camera. a video display on a PCI bus, and an audio board all working together to implement a Desk Area Network (DAN). Based on 3 projects from 1996. We have now been donated two ATM switches by Cisco to make this project more attractive.

10.

Developing the sentient office

The project aims to augment the office environment to gather information about the activities of its occupants, using a range of sensors.  The context information gathered by the sensors can be used in a wide range of applications.  It can support distributed teamwork by providing team members with an awareness of other members, enabling
* team members to determine appropriate times to interrupt other members with phone calls
 * messages for team members to be forwarded in a manner that is suited to their  activities; for example, when sitting at a desk, the member may receive information through an email, whereas when wandering around the office the information may be conveyed through a pager or mobile phone
 * applications that tailor their behaviour according to the user's current state, such as a reminder service that provides audio cues when the team member is alone in the office, and silent cues when the member is speaking on the phone or holding a meeting.

It is envisaged that sensors will provide information such as whether a member is sitting at a desk, speaking on the phone, or holding a conversation.

Karsten Schulz, DSTC Sponsor

11.

Digital Ink

Build a pen that recognizes and stores the handwriting and drawings of its user.  After writing, the user jots the word “send” or “e-mail” followed by a FAX number or email address.  The documents are wirelessly sent via a cellular network to fax machines, desktop computers or even other digital pens

12.

Tilt Sensor

Build a button free tilt and gesture input device.  Initially build it for a PC, but look at its application within a small information appliance, or build an all-electronic simulation of a physical game.

13.

Smart Display

Using a commercial uCLinux box (Nettel) develop a smart display for use in the department.  This will require developing skills in the area of embedded Linux programming.

14.

Streaming Video Room Monitor

Using a commercial uCLinux box (Nettel) develop a streaming video source for use in the department.  This will require developing skills in the area of embedded Linux programming.

15.

A Microphone Array for Multimedia Workstations and Conferences

Use beam-forming principles to achieve accurate control of the directivity of a microphone. Use for enhanced speech recognition by eliminating noisy backgrounds, allow for free roaming of the user, track the talker location, and track multiple talkers.

16.

Smart Telephone

Design and implement a system which can control a telephone from an online address book.  It should be able to dial a number from a name in the address book, display an incoming call using a name from the address book, and to act as a very smart answering machine.  It is also expect to use voice input-output to communicate with the user.

17.

Home Automation System Communicating via Power Line Communications Link

Use a reliable communications link operating over standard 240 volt AC power links around a residential dwelling to communicate between devices used for home automation.  Project should have more than one person working on it, as there are many devices that can be automated in the average home. The main aim is to look at using a new protocol to make communicating objects simple to install and use.

18.

Computerized Local PABX

Design and implement a microcomputer controlled telephone exchange. 8 subscriber lines and up to 3 central office lines. 12 speech paths to support non-blocked operation and support multiple conference calls in progress at the same time. Look at Internet phone access as well. Entire project needs more than one Honours student.

19.

Smart Objects

I am interested in building (physical) objects which have the ability to learn. This makes it easy for users to adapt them than systems which require programming. Imagine the little old grandma trying to program the VCR! Let's look at systems which learn our pattern of use, our preferences, and which try to predict what we will require next. For example, we can start with a smart light bulb that knows when it gets turned on and off, what the light levels were, who was in the room, what other appliances were turned on or off at the time. Or we can look at a TV, radio, or stereo which knows the programs we usually watch, given who is in the room, the time of day, our mood(how do you determine this?). Telephones that know who is using them and then adapt to that person - remind you to call your mum on her birthday, provide access to your personal address book, etc. There is a vast range of activity here. This involves both harware construction and software and research into user modelling and machine learning.

21.

YOUR-OWN-TOPIC

Suggest a topic to me and I'll see if it is doable at the Pass or Honours level.   I usually take on projects in the area of embedded systems, which includes short range RF comms as well.