Physical Computing: Sensing and Controlling the Physical World with Computers (Paperback)

Description 

The computer revolution has made it easy for people with little to no technical training to use a computer for such everyday tasks as typing a letter, saving files, or recording data. But what about more imaginative purposes such as starting your car, opening a door, or tracking the contents of your refrigerator? "Physical Computing" will not only change the way you use your computer, it will change the way you think about your computer—how you view its capabilities, how you interact with it, and how you put it to work for you. It’s time to bridge the gap between the physical and the virtual—time to use more than just your fingers to interact with your computer. Step outside of the confines of the basic computer and into the broader world of computing.

 

Introduction

Part I - The Basics
Chapter 1: Electricity
Chapter 2: Shopping
Chapter 3: Building Circuits
Chapter 4: The Microcontroller
Chapter 5: Programming
Chapter 6: The Big Four Schematics, Programs, and Transducers
Chapter 7: Communicating between Computers

Part II - Advanced Methods
Chapter 8: Physical Interaction Design, or Techniques for Polite Conversation
Chapter 9: Sensing Movement
Chapter 10: Making Movement
Chapter 11: Touch Me
Chapter 12: More Communication between Devices
Chapter 13: Controlling Sound and Light
Chapter 14: Managing Multiple Inputs and Outputs

Appendix A: Choosing a Microcontroller
Appendix B: Recommended Suppliers
Appendix C: Schematic Glossary