Design Tasks:
Construct a shelf for physical media with built-in electronic components, including cameras to capture images of items in shelf slots, LEDs to indicate item locations, and a controller able to wirelessly connect to other devices
Create a smartphone app capable of connecting to the shelf and managing a catalogue of its contents
Implement IoT functionality that will allow users to use the app to locate particular items in the shelf and assist in sorting their collection
Design Goals/Specifications:
Goals:
System should successfully make the process of finding items in a collection easier
User interface and item location method should be simple and intuitive enough as to not add confusion and time to the process of locating an item
Shelving should be able to store collections safely
Shelving should have a visually appealing design
Different types of shelving should be offered for different types of media
Specifications:
Product shall operate off standard mains power
Product shall operate even with unstable internet connection
Product shall be interfaceable while looking at the collection (i.e., not on a hidden display)
Product shall not take up more space than standard bookcase dimensions
Path Eliminations:
Avoid designing the product for a specific shape of item in mind to avoid limiting the use for the product
Avoid designs that make it difficult to repair of broken or worn components. Replacing the whole shelf is not an option for many consumers
Avoid performing image recognition and other computationally intensive actions on the shelf controller. Performing these actions on the smartphone would allow for a simpler and less expensive controller to be used