Probably one of the most handy features of the FMS system is that you can also create or add shopping items to your shopping list whilst away from home.
You can simply do this by either using the customised application that comes with the fridge for your mobile phone. If you're mobile phone is unsupported it is still possible to create shopping lists or to add to a existing shopping list simply by sending a text message to your fridge.
A special application for the iPhone or iPod touch will also be available which will have great similarity to the actual application on the screen. Mainly because you can also use the touchscreen functionality on these products.
FMS - Icons and Buttons
As the design and color scheme itself I wanted the buttons to be nice and large. Since this system will be navigated via a touch screen the buttons need to be large enough. To ensure that people who are using this system can easily navigate through the screens.
Not making them too small so that they can not be accurately pressed and not making them too big so that they clutter the screen. They all have a "average" size so that they can be easily pressed by its users.
The icons used in the main menu use common and easily to recognise illustrations that make it clear from one glance over the screen what purpose they serve. Everyone will be able to understand or guess which function is associated with which icon.
Not making them too small so that they can not be accurately pressed and not making them too big so that they clutter the screen. They all have a "average" size so that they can be easily pressed by its users.
The icons used in the main menu use common and easily to recognise illustrations that make it clear from one glance over the screen what purpose they serve. Everyone will be able to understand or guess which function is associated with which icon.
FMS - Design
For the UI design for this particular project I went for a "button design" meaning that there are not any distracting graphics from the core design.
So in FMS the design itself carries all the functionalities and not just the aesthetic values. By doing so the user does not need to scan the screen long to get an understanding of which graphic has what function.
Keeping in mind that the demographic we are trying to reach is of all ages. How many times have you seen an elderly person using interactive media pressing on the wrong button ? or pressing something that is presumed to be a button but is not.
The key to this design is minimalism and keeping it simple and straightforward. With clearly annotated buttons to make it absolutely clear which function they carry.
So in FMS the design itself carries all the functionalities and not just the aesthetic values. By doing so the user does not need to scan the screen long to get an understanding of which graphic has what function.
Keeping in mind that the demographic we are trying to reach is of all ages. How many times have you seen an elderly person using interactive media pressing on the wrong button ? or pressing something that is presumed to be a button but is not.
The key to this design is minimalism and keeping it simple and straightforward. With clearly annotated buttons to make it absolutely clear which function they carry.
FMS - Color Theme
It is clear that the color theme for FMS is primarily blue. Blue as a color usually represents and is associated with something cold or cool. Another reason why I choose to go with this color is that in certain areas of the blue gamut it provides a fantastic contrast with white text. This in combination with black that I am using for title headers which also gives a perfect contrast for text.
Further more a lot of displays, even the cheap ones, always display blue as a color range very well. I might have gone for a rich color scheme, but in the end it all needs to stay readable and look appealing on a 800x600 resolution screen that needs to fit on a right door of a USA style fridge.
Further more a lot of displays, even the cheap ones, always display blue as a color range very well. I might have gone for a rich color scheme, but in the end it all needs to stay readable and look appealing on a 800x600 resolution screen that needs to fit on a right door of a USA style fridge.
FMS - Realistic ?
The technology to run FMS is all here and there would be no problem in developing such a application as a final product. Though I realise that presenting such a application to a large electrical company will be difficult. Although I believe it is inevitable that this is the future not as such as FMS is currently presented, but there will definitely be a interactive system integrated in your fridge in this decade.
Proof of this is all around us, as an example look at cars. All the speedometers and displays that used to be analogue are being replaced by displays that are completely digital with complicated interface systems and built in GPS navigation and on top of that it is all compatible with your iPod.
I realise FMS will lack certain functionalities to be a appealing product, but would be a more attractive solution if it would include more functions and futures, which I am unable to work out further due to time constraints.
But lets say hypothetically FMS exists and is owned by a company as a flash application. As made clear, or indirectly, in my previous posts that FMS is perfectly capable of existing in today's market.
It should be offered as a complete solution for a existing product for the targeted electrical company. Then I would say that the chance is bigger that you will catch someones interest.
Proof of this is all around us, as an example look at cars. All the speedometers and displays that used to be analogue are being replaced by displays that are completely digital with complicated interface systems and built in GPS navigation and on top of that it is all compatible with your iPod.
I realise FMS will lack certain functionalities to be a appealing product, but would be a more attractive solution if it would include more functions and futures, which I am unable to work out further due to time constraints.
But lets say hypothetically FMS exists and is owned by a company as a flash application. As made clear, or indirectly, in my previous posts that FMS is perfectly capable of existing in today's market.
It should be offered as a complete solution for a existing product for the targeted electrical company. Then I would say that the chance is bigger that you will catch someones interest.
FMS - Technology Required
The technology that will drive the FMS system is cheap and easy to fabricate. Hardware-wise it would consist of two main hardware elements,
- Touch sensitive LCD screen;
- Colour LCD;
- 800x600 Screen resolution.
- Microcomputer.
In terms of software the OS could be a stripped down LINUX version and the interface itself would be done in flash.
All mentioned is already widely available for mass production, reducing the total development cost of such a product. The main cost strained will probably be outsourcing a company to create a custom LINUX system. Although I am sure a ready made system might already be available that would have the capability of running a flash based application. Maybe not in the forms of a microcomputer but still small enough to incorporate it in an large fridge.
Furthermore, a simple interface like this would not need any more powerful hardware / software. You could compare it with a mobile phone which has all the capabilities of the mentioned hardware AND software. Few examples,
- iPhone 3G
- Samsung Omnia
- HTC G1 (Google Phone)
They all have a touch screen and are more then capable of running a interface such as FMS in a flash environment.
- Touch sensitive LCD screen;
- Colour LCD;
- 800x600 Screen resolution.
- Microcomputer.
In terms of software the OS could be a stripped down LINUX version and the interface itself would be done in flash.
All mentioned is already widely available for mass production, reducing the total development cost of such a product. The main cost strained will probably be outsourcing a company to create a custom LINUX system. Although I am sure a ready made system might already be available that would have the capability of running a flash based application. Maybe not in the forms of a microcomputer but still small enough to incorporate it in an large fridge.
Furthermore, a simple interface like this would not need any more powerful hardware / software. You could compare it with a mobile phone which has all the capabilities of the mentioned hardware AND software. Few examples,
- iPhone 3G
- Samsung Omnia
- HTC G1 (Google Phone)
They all have a touch screen and are more then capable of running a interface such as FMS in a flash environment.
Proposal 3.0 - Fridge Management System (FMS)
[ SUMMARY ]
Whenever something is empty or you are running out of something just scan the product with the scanner on the fridge door.
After the product is scanned it gets added to a database. Eventually you will end up with two solutions. Either print your shopping list or let your fridge order it automatically from your favourite online shopping website.
Although I think automating orders for products like this will never be fully functional in the way you want it to be. There are too many variables in play for this to be a full proof system. It could probably only work well if the shopper itself is very consistent in its shopping and does everything as the system requires him to do.
Still I have added this as a function in this proposal, but the main idea is more that you build up a shopping list yourself during the week and then print it off to take with you. I believe that that offers a more flexible solution.
[ WHY ]
Is it a advantage having everything completely automated where the fridge even tells you if a product is about to finish and orders automatically a new one... ?
Do you even want a new one ? or was it just a one-off buy ? You do not want your fridge to re-order a £1000 canister of caviar automatically.. do you ?
How annoying is it going to be if the fridge notifies you whenever something is almost empty ? people have way too many miscellaneous things in their fridge for this to be a fully working automated system. As mentioned before a person would have to be very precise and systematic in what he or she stores in their fridge for the fridge to be able to differentiate what exactly is needed.
[ WHERE ]
Mainly to be used in households. I would assume that a restaurant or such has its own ordering system anyway or gets everything what they need delivered weekly.
[ FUNCTIONS & FEATURES ]
Click on the image for a larger version.
Whenever a product is empty or it runs out just wave the barcode from the packaging in front of the fridge and the item gets scanned and added to your shopping list. Some products might only be sold by a particular store so it might be handy if products would carry RFID tags which stores all the information about the product was purchased.
An advantage of this is that you could implant a intelligent comparison system that could offer you alternatives that might be available at other supermarkets or let you know if a particular supermarket has a offer on that item.
Once you have scanned everything you need, you can just choose to print your shopping list or add items.
Whenever something is empty or you are running out of something just scan the product with the scanner on the fridge door.
After the product is scanned it gets added to a database. Eventually you will end up with two solutions. Either print your shopping list or let your fridge order it automatically from your favourite online shopping website.
Although I think automating orders for products like this will never be fully functional in the way you want it to be. There are too many variables in play for this to be a full proof system. It could probably only work well if the shopper itself is very consistent in its shopping and does everything as the system requires him to do.
Still I have added this as a function in this proposal, but the main idea is more that you build up a shopping list yourself during the week and then print it off to take with you. I believe that that offers a more flexible solution.
[ WHY ]
Is it a advantage having everything completely automated where the fridge even tells you if a product is about to finish and orders automatically a new one... ?
Do you even want a new one ? or was it just a one-off buy ? You do not want your fridge to re-order a £1000 canister of caviar automatically.. do you ?
How annoying is it going to be if the fridge notifies you whenever something is almost empty ? people have way too many miscellaneous things in their fridge for this to be a fully working automated system. As mentioned before a person would have to be very precise and systematic in what he or she stores in their fridge for the fridge to be able to differentiate what exactly is needed.
[ WHERE ]
Mainly to be used in households. I would assume that a restaurant or such has its own ordering system anyway or gets everything what they need delivered weekly.
[ FUNCTIONS & FEATURES ]
Click on the image for a larger version.
Whenever a product is empty or it runs out just wave the barcode from the packaging in front of the fridge and the item gets scanned and added to your shopping list. Some products might only be sold by a particular store so it might be handy if products would carry RFID tags which stores all the information about the product was purchased.
An advantage of this is that you could implant a intelligent comparison system that could offer you alternatives that might be available at other supermarkets or let you know if a particular supermarket has a offer on that item.
Once you have scanned everything you need, you can just choose to print your shopping list or add items.
Proposal 2.0 - Cab Faires on Credit
[ SUMMARY ]
What if you could pay with a other form other then cash for a cab fair ? That would indeed come in very handy, because you not always have the exact cab fair on you. Especially if its unclear how much you have to pay for the destination you have to go to.
[ WHY ]
Whilst going to meeting last week with my Managing Director. We took a taxi to where to meeting was. I noticed that no taxi accept credit cards or checks. Which means you always have to pay with cash.
Not always handy if you have to head over to a meeting quickly and you notice that you do not have sufficient cash on you to pay for the cab fare.
The great thing is that VISA recently started a service called payWave which allows you to pay by your VISA card for payments of £10 pounds or less at the moment.
[ WHERE ]
This could potentially be rolled out in cabs worldwide. Since the proposal is already based on existing technology the cost of developing such a machine as illustrated below would not be very significant.
Click on the image for a larger version.
[ FUNCTIONS & FEATURES ]
When the cab fair is due the only thing you would have to do is place your VISA payWave card on the card reader and that's it. After that a small receipt will be printed with a summary of your trip including,
- Time and date
- Cab fare
- VAT
What if you could pay with a other form other then cash for a cab fair ? That would indeed come in very handy, because you not always have the exact cab fair on you. Especially if its unclear how much you have to pay for the destination you have to go to.
[ WHY ]
Whilst going to meeting last week with my Managing Director. We took a taxi to where to meeting was. I noticed that no taxi accept credit cards or checks. Which means you always have to pay with cash.
Not always handy if you have to head over to a meeting quickly and you notice that you do not have sufficient cash on you to pay for the cab fare.
The great thing is that VISA recently started a service called payWave which allows you to pay by your VISA card for payments of £10 pounds or less at the moment.
[ WHERE ]
This could potentially be rolled out in cabs worldwide. Since the proposal is already based on existing technology the cost of developing such a machine as illustrated below would not be very significant.
Click on the image for a larger version.
[ FUNCTIONS & FEATURES ]
When the cab fair is due the only thing you would have to do is place your VISA payWave card on the card reader and that's it. After that a small receipt will be printed with a summary of your trip including,
- Time and date
- Cab fare
- VAT
Proposal 1.0 - Automated Rooms
[ SUMMARY ]
This first proposal is called "Automated Rooms" Imagine a house where each and every door opening has a RFID antenna. Whenever a person walks through a door the person gets scanned to see if he has any RFID chip on him.
These chips can be carried and implemented in numerous ways,
- Clothing
- Card
- ID Tag
- Implemented under the skin (extreme solution)
- Rings, Watch etc.
As soon as the RFID profile has been read from the chip the room which is entered will be adjusted to the persons preferences.
[ WHY ]
Automating a rooms primary functions is not only time saving it can also be more energy efficient. Not only will the room be set to your requirements upon entering they will also go into a more energy efficient mode once you leave the room.
[ WHERE ]
This idea is not just limited for personal use in households. It can also be used in public spaces as in offices for example.
[ WHOM ]
The technology in this proposal can be used by any person. There are no limitations to whom can carry the chips.
[ APPEARANCE ]
As mentioned earlier every door opening will have a metallic strip which is the RFID antenna. In the following illustration the metallic strip has been made very visible for illustrational purposes, but this strip can easily be hidden in the door opening.
Click on the image for a larger version.
This also implies easy implantation of this technology for households want to install this in their home.
[ FUNCTIONS & FEATURES ]
Upon entering the room the RFID antenna will pick up the persons profile from the RFID chip he or she is carrying. The profile will be sent to the central computer system where the room will be "activated" and the rooms electronical equipment will be set to the persons preferences.
Click on the image for a larger version.
As you can see in the illustration above various electronical equipment can be adjusted automatically to the persons preferences including,
- Adjusting the window blinds;
- Turning on the LCD TV;
- Adjusting the temperature;
- Dimming the lights;
- Etc.
Once the persons leaves the room again the equipment will be shut off completely thus also saving electricity in standby power. Also the room temperature will be adjusted accordingly.
This will save anyone a lot of effort in turning all the equipment on and adjusting it to your own preferences. Not only is this time saving but also as mentioned earlier more energy efficient.
This first proposal is called "Automated Rooms" Imagine a house where each and every door opening has a RFID antenna. Whenever a person walks through a door the person gets scanned to see if he has any RFID chip on him.
These chips can be carried and implemented in numerous ways,
- Clothing
- Card
- ID Tag
- Implemented under the skin (extreme solution)
- Rings, Watch etc.
As soon as the RFID profile has been read from the chip the room which is entered will be adjusted to the persons preferences.
[ WHY ]
Automating a rooms primary functions is not only time saving it can also be more energy efficient. Not only will the room be set to your requirements upon entering they will also go into a more energy efficient mode once you leave the room.
[ WHERE ]
This idea is not just limited for personal use in households. It can also be used in public spaces as in offices for example.
[ WHOM ]
The technology in this proposal can be used by any person. There are no limitations to whom can carry the chips.
[ APPEARANCE ]
As mentioned earlier every door opening will have a metallic strip which is the RFID antenna. In the following illustration the metallic strip has been made very visible for illustrational purposes, but this strip can easily be hidden in the door opening.
Click on the image for a larger version.
This also implies easy implantation of this technology for households want to install this in their home.
[ FUNCTIONS & FEATURES ]
Upon entering the room the RFID antenna will pick up the persons profile from the RFID chip he or she is carrying. The profile will be sent to the central computer system where the room will be "activated" and the rooms electronical equipment will be set to the persons preferences.
Click on the image for a larger version.
As you can see in the illustration above various electronical equipment can be adjusted automatically to the persons preferences including,
- Adjusting the window blinds;
- Turning on the LCD TV;
- Adjusting the temperature;
- Dimming the lights;
- Etc.
Once the persons leaves the room again the equipment will be shut off completely thus also saving electricity in standby power. Also the room temperature will be adjusted accordingly.
This will save anyone a lot of effort in turning all the equipment on and adjusting it to your own preferences. Not only is this time saving but also as mentioned earlier more energy efficient.
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