Project: Embedding PDA technology in Home Environment.

Adaptations:

• Woodworking — New back panel box for Sharp PDA and new front mat with hole large enough for PDA screen.
• Electronics — Magnetic switch on picture frame door & back of front mat and associated electronics for turning PDA on and off.

Synopsis: The PDA serves two purposes. When left in the picture frame, it projects a selection of photographs when the picture frame door is opened. When removed from the picture frame holder, it serves as a controller for a home entertainment unit.

Implementation: We took an off-the-shelf, stock picture frame (Eddie Bauer Home Design) and made a number of woodworking and electronics adaptations.

1. Stock picture frame with front mat for photo. Click for better resolution	2. New front mat with smaller hole for PDA screen and moldings around the hole. Click for better resolution
3. New panel box to hold Sharp PDA. Click for better resolution	4. The PDA panel box is mounted to back of picture frame. One side of the panel box is removable to gain access to the PDA. Note also that the box is dimensioned to fit PDA and to look proportional to picture frame as well. Click for better resolution
5. Back plate of panel box can be removed to make adjustments. Click for better resolution	6. Final result of picture PDA frame with door open. The PDA lights up showing a photograph. Click for better resolution
7. Final result with doors closed. It belies the fact that a PDA and an electronic photo projector is hidden behind the shutter doors. Click for better resolution

Principals: This was an extracurricular project done in collaboration with Keith Houck (IBM Research).

Work conducted: August 2002 — December 2002.