Assignment+6+report

Future Work:

After receiving feedback from multiple outlets, there are definitely some suggestions that can be made to for future design and interface developments for FoodSmart. Since there is currently only one default audio reminder for food expiry date alerts, so one thing that we could possibly improve on is to create an audio menu for this alert function, so that different users can adjust their desired audio alert setting. Some users might like to have a loud ringtone for the audio alert and other might want just a simple ring as an alert. The volume can also be adjusted then, as some users might need the alert to be louder because their houses are bigger, or some might need it louder because they have hearing issues. Creating an audio reminder setting function will allow users to customize their reminders based on their preferences. We can also add a voice note entry function to the FoodSmart system so that users do not have type out everything if they wish to manually enter information about a certain food they bought. Some users also found it inconvenient that there wasn’t a function available for users to print their shopping list. Also, we can make an email option available to users so that they can just easily email their shopping list and receipt to themselves. This will be convenient for users who don’t possess an iPhone, because our initial system is designed for sending shopping lists using an iPhone application. Other improvements include creating applications for Blackberry or Android devices for receiving shopping lists. Lastly, we plan on designing another scanning interface device that will either be placed inside or on the outside of the fridge. This way, some users don’t actually have to use the detachable scanner gun every time they scan a product and they will have two options as to how they want input the product information by scanning.

Executive Summary:
 * EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: **

This report will provide an overview of the FoodSmart refrigerator, an interface design system that has been created to aid individuals living in domestic households. The report will first introduce what the FoodSmart refrigerator is, and point out why it stands out from other refrigerators that are available in the market nowadays. The report will then go into the functional and non-functional requirements that were needed to actually contextualize the FoodSmart idea, and the different materials as well as the softwares that were used to actually construct the refrigerator itself. The report will then shift focus to the non-functional requirements, which focus much on the user experience usability aspects and quality requirements of the FoodSmart refrigerator. The next section of the report is Methodology, and this part basically describes the whole process of how the Inventors created the FoodSmart refrigerator, and what considerations we made to actually design this product. This part will introduce to readers some of the research we conducted, the reasoning behind our physical, design and aesthetical decisions with regarding to the final FoodSmart refrigerator design. The timeline is a summarized version of our working progress and meetings that have been conducted to create the prototypes and design for FoodSmart, and how this project came into place as a whole. The design section of the report is where multiple scenarios, personas and storyboards will be posted, and the goal for this is to show readers that FoodSmart can be useful for many types of demographic groups that have various and specific needs in terms of lifestyle, background, allergies, and so on. The scenarios provide readers with possible negative outcomes that might occur when using FoodSmart, and showing possible solutions that can be made. In the design section, FoodSmart prototype design drawings will also be provided. These drawings consists of different touch screen menus, the specific physical parts of the refrigerator and are drawn using Adobe Illustrator in order for the readers to gain a clear vision of what FoodSmart actually looks like. The results of testing will contain a short analysis from each group member, and their results from introducing this FoodSmart idea to different users. The report will finally end with recommendations as well as possible improvements that can be made in the future in order to make FoodSmart an even better refrigerator design that will cater to the needs of different users.

Introduction:

As technology continues to cement itself in the lives of the everyday person, household products are being transformed to include technological elements, such as touch screens, internal storage and wireless internet access. The FoodSmart refrigerator is an attempt into the smart refrigerator market by providing a way to keep track of a user’s items a little differently than the competition. With the wireless barcode scanner attached to the upper-half of the handle, the user can scan items in and out of the refrigerator, which allows the computer to keep a list of items that are stored inside. The FoodSmart refrigerator comes with a set of options that aids the user in cataloguing any and all items that are placed inside. The **Inventory** option lists all items that are inside the refrigerator, provided that they have been entered into the database. The **Shopping** option allows users to purchase items based on items that have been previously purchased or entered into the database, as well as items not previously entered by accessing Grocery Gateway. The **Manual Entry** option exists for users to input items that do not have barcodes, such as fresh produce. **Options** gives users the freedom to change the appearance of the screen contents, from the font to the colour scheme. Users can also make refrigerator contents visible by activating the SmartGlass, which makes the refrigerator doors transparent. One of the refrigerator’s key features, the SmartGlass door allows users to see the contents of their refrigerator from a distance, without needing to open the door. However, one of the refrigerator’s flaws is that an item can be placed or removed without being scanned, without the user’s knowledge. This creates inconsistencies with the inventory list and the actual inventory.

JESSICA & AMANDA: METHODOLOGY __How we went about the project__
 * Methodology**

//The Inventors// started theproject by analyzing existing technology and thinking of new ways they could be improved. Throughout reading our research, one piece of technology stood out among the others as something that deserved to be improved- the //KitchenAid KF1527CXMS//. Although the fridge is innovative with a touchscreen, allowing users to easily adjust temperatures, operate the water dispenser, displays recipes, and accept USB flash drives to display photographs, it does not serve any particle purposes. We saw the lack of practical purposes as a way to help improve the fridge and similar models by giving it features that would be useful in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. To make the fridge a major factor in assisting with daily organization, we collaborated on what makes food shopping difficult. The issues most common in these discussions included difficulties of having time to sort through the fridge before having to go shopping, the ability to forget expiry dates, and forgetting to throw something out when it has gone bad. All of these issues were taken into consideration and //FoodSmart// was prototyped. //FoodSmart// contains the popular French door design with pull out freezer, but also consists of a scanner for barcodes and an interface that provides an inventory list, shopping portal, and manual entry portal. Items are either entered into the system by scanning or using the manual entry portal if they do not contain a barcode. After entering their food items, the user inputs their expiry dates allowing for the interface to alert the user when food has gone bad. These elements make food shopping and organization easy.

__ Anything Unique We Did or Used __ //FoodSmart// is a unique product as it combines various elements that were previously and seemingly unrelated, never having been used together. //FoodSmart//’s core defining elements include its scanner, //SmartGlass//, and interface. These elements were all previously used for very different and specific functions. The scanner will be used to decode barcode data, most often seen in a retail environment.//FoodSmart//’s scanner is used to scan products in and out of the fridge, unlike its initial retail purposes. It decodes the UPC’s data and presents it on the interface so that the user may easily keep track of the products in their fridge. //SmartGlass// is a brand name and is an existing technology, which uses electricity to change the transparency of glass. It is mainly used for windows or walls and has never been incorporated into a fridge door prior to //FoodSmart. SmartGlass// blocks UV rays, and keeps products cold, while //SmartGlass// transparency allows users to see what is inside without having to open the door, which consumes more power. Although some fridges currently have touchscreen interfaces, they are often gimmicky, unrelated, and are of no benefit to the fridge itself (i.e. Twitter feeds). //FoodSmart’s// interface is entirely dedicated to the fridge and is a useful tool that can be used for such functions as shopping, and keeping track of inventory and expiry dates. //FoodSmart’s// interface is a beneficial tool that is meant to enhance the user’s experience with the fridge by minimizing wasted food and adding convenience. FoodSmart is a product of convergence, combining a fridge, a touch-screen interface, a barcode reader, and //SmartGlass.// Due to its innovative design and convergence of multiple distinctive products, //FoodSmart// is a highly unique creation that has the potential to benefit a wide variety of users.

GENA

NON-FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS


 * Performance Requirements**

//System Capacity and Response// The system response must ensure that the user will receive a confirmation or decline for their actions. When the user is scanning in and out items, the system response must generate an alert a sound as a positive or negative feedback. The interface must also confirm or deny this action by displaying it on the screen. In the case that the action does not follow suit, there must be corrective instruction provided on what the user should do to complete the task. In the possibility of adding a phone app that syncs with the FoodSmart fridge, the system capacity must be able to update the database in real time. It must also have the capacity to delete and retrieve deleted information.

//Security// FoodSmart fridge’s dependency on Wi-Fi access to buy groceries online must ensure safety on internet connection. With that being said, it must be a priority to protect private information such as the user’s name, address, and credit information. Aside from external security, there must also be an internal security within the household so that other users in the house cannot use another user’s information to purchase groceries.

//Fault Tolerance// The system must be able to maintain data according to the users’ preferences but it should also have the capability to reset the settings into its original manufacturer setting in the case of other users changing data. For that reason, it is important the user must be able to view history on changes made as well as retrieve accidental loss of data. To prevent misunderstanding between the fridge and the user, there will be prompts provided such as spelling correctors and auditory feedback for item scans.

**Quality Requirements**

//Product Specifications// The height of the interface must be at a reasonable position for adults varying in heights but also keeping in mind disabled persons for accessibility. Considering that storing food in the fridge and scanning items is time consuming, the height must be tolerable to prevent eye strains, neck pains, or wrist cramps when using the FoodSmart interface. The height must also be unreachable for young children to prevent them from playing around with the system.

//False Positive and False Negative// False positive may occur if there is a syncing delay on the phone app and FoodSmart fridge. A person deleting something might not automatically get update and otherwise show up as being in the fridge. False negative may also occur vice versa. With the different auditory feedback that the FoodSmart fridge provides, a false positive or false negative may be interpreted as such by the user if they are unable to distinguish the different alert sounds. The generated text alerts on the interface must also be cautiously worded to prevent similar confusion to prevent the user from believing an action is something that it is not.

//Operating// The tutorial on how to use the FoodSmart fridge will be animated. Even though the user is provided to read the step by step instructions from the paper manual, the manual from the interface will digitally illustrate how to handle the equipment and manage the system. Providing different ways of learning from different kinds of people will prevent miscommunication. This also ensures that if the user loses the paper manual, the system will always have help and documentation available for new and existing users.

//Availability// The phone app will be coded by a programming language called Objective C that is primarily used for interactive programs. It is a cross platform operating system that will work with most existing smartphones. The fridge, scanner, and interface will be customizable to suit the user’s needs and preferences such as colour and size.

**Usability Requirements**

//Error Rate// All potential errors must be accounted for. Thus, premade correctional prompts must be created from predictable FoodSmart fridge and user behavior error. A very high security measure is needed to prevent error rates of fraud and ensuring data such as identification and credit card information are not mixed with other users. Ultimately, the equipment itself must be built to prevent most errors. With that being said, the sensitivity of the scanner and the interface must allow for high traffic use with a high response rate.

//Standard Guidelines// FoodSmart fridge will strive to have an intuitive guideline rather than having sets of instructions. Users familiar with the grocery, inventory, and shopping system knows that a scanner scans, an inventory lists, and shopping buys groceries. Instead of having lengthy instructions, the FoodSmart fridge interface will have interactive tutorial videos and text to easily direct users.

//Learnability and Training// The concept of the touchscreen interface for the FoodSmart fridge is consistent with touchscreen smartphones such as iPhones and Androids. Even though there are two different systems at play, the user will be able to use both without confusion because of their similar layouts so that no further learnability and training is needed to use one with the other. Aside from the intuitive and friendly interface, the scanner also offers very little learnability and training because the scanner already exists in the market. The FoodSmart fridge scanner will also have in and out buttons to click to indicate action without having to depend on the interface or auditory feedback as to what the scanner is doing.

//Look and Feel// The look and feel of the interface will keep in mind accessibility options for the vision impaired. Settings can be changed accordingly to different cases of colourblindness. The appearance of the smart glass door on the fridge is optional so that users can maintain the look and feel of a see through and/or frosted glass as an aesthetic or practical function.

** Functional: ** The functional section of this report describes the physical and software properties of the FoodSmart refrigerator. The hardware properties that were used to build the exterior of the fridge include aluminum alloy materials because it can sustain consistent durability. The interior of FoodSmart will be composed using plastic, again for the same purpose of supporting durability. The door itself for FoodSmart was made using Smartglass, a type of electrochromic glass that can transform from translucent to transparent by simply pressing a button. This design allows users to be able to view what groceries they purchased and see what they stored inside the fridge without actually having to open the refrigerator. This type of glass helps with the insulation factor so that the FoodSmart refrigerator will not heat up as easily due to its complex design interface. It also provides the fridge with a sleek and functional feature. The FoodSmary handle has two main functions, apart from using it to open and close the refrigerator; this is also where the detachable scanner gun is located. This barcode scanner gun is wireless and designed in such a manner that makes it convenient for the individual to use when scanning the groceries they bought. The scanner gun is designed to fit well with a door handle design so that it looks aesthetically and functionally pleasing. The scanner gun also has an in and out button that will indicate whether an item is being scanned to go in or out of the fridge.

As for the software component of the FoodSmart refrigerator, customized software will be used to coordinate the FoodSmart interface design. The doorhandle/detachable scanner gun that records the product information once scanned. These properties includes the image of the food being scanned, a corresponding image, nutrition facts and product name. If a product is unscannable, users can manually enter its name using the touchscreen interface. The software will consist of a database of possible food products that could be placed in the refrigerator, and allows the user to compile a predictable grocery list, and also regularly send out the alerts for when certain foods are expiring. Another functional requirement that was built in the FoodSmart software system is the ability to set reminders for users to purchase groceries, and also allowing users to order their foods from the super market online using the touchscreen interface, then organizing either a pick up or delivery method for retrieving the groceries. In order to do this, FoodSmart will be collaborating will multiple grocery store chains to coordinate an online shopping option system, and the users can either purchase the whole customized grocery list or only buy specific items. The software system and hard drive will have to be large in capacity due to the massive amount of information and data that will be stored in the system. Also, there will be a highly protected security system so that the users’ information (such as their credit card information) when they purchase groceries will not be leaked or exposed to the public or on the Internet.

** Data and Information Requirements **

The FoodSmart refrigerator already contains a database of existing barcodes and information on the certain food products. In order for the software system and touch screen interface to work, WiFi access will definitely be needed for upgrades or database updates, and even to shop for the groceries online. For other information, the users are able to both manually and use the scanner gun for entering details on products such as best before dates or storage instructions at a quick rate.

**Interface Requirements**
The touch screen interface design will be embedded on the refrigerator door, outside of the fridge that is composed of Smartglass material. Touch screen eliminates the necessity for extra devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or stylus and makes it a lot easier for users to actually experience the design itself without having to use multiple devices in order to input information for the groceries or to online shop. The direct interaction with the interface is ideal for simplifying the multiple menus and complex applications that the software provides, allowing a much more pleasant, simple and convenient interaction for the user. In terms of a physical environment, having a touch screen interface avoids kitchen disasters such as spills that can cause operational interference with the device. Moreover, the touch screen interface is located above the ice and water dispenser on the refrigerator at a certain height, so that children will not be able to interact with the system. This is important because the users’ credit card and privacy information are located in this system and it would risk the user losing their information that was stored in the database if the touch screen interface was tampered.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In hopes of the market switching the mandate on product merchandising from using barcodes to RFID tags, it would be a great development on the FoodSmart fridge functionality. If products used RFID tags instead of barcodes, it would ultimately replace the user’s need to scan every item into allowing the fridge to do it on its own if an RFID scanner can be integrated into the fridge compartment. This would allow the fridge to scan all items in the fridge without having to position it a specific way for the scanner to read. The RFID scanner would automatically pick up any RFID tags within the parameters of the fridge. Having RFID tags would not only be beneficial for the user to lessen the time consuming task of scanning items individually, but it would also open the opportunity of marketing. It is possible that corporations would make use of tracking the RFID tags and provide corresponding promotional advertising for the product to show up on the interface.

Persona/Scenario #1: Lawrence Crawford
Persona/Scenario # 2: Nancy Smith (with possible negative aspects):
 * ======Technology level : High ======
 * ======Unique situation : Is interested in how technology can help save time with simple tasks around the house, but doesn’t want to buy equipment with many separate components or parts. Lawrence Crawford is a 37-year-old public relation representative from New York. He is also a single father of three children between the ages of 5 and 10 who go to different schools and take up many recreational activities. Lawrence does not spend a lot of time at home because he works full time and has to drive his children between recreational activities and school. Therefore he lives a fairly disorganized and stressful lifestyle that often leads him to forget to do chores around the home. To limit the amount of chaos and confusion he experiences everyday he has come to rely on electronic calendars, alarms, and hand written lists to remind him of important tasks and dates he needs to remember. Since his children are growing, he finds the most difficult task to remember and make time for is grocery shopping. He finds himself needing to purchase an increased amount of food every week and often has to make more than one trip to the super market each week. He is finding this activity rather time consuming and difficult as the trips are often over an hour long and he does not have the time to go home and make an accurate list of all the food he needs to purchase before the store closes. To help reduce the stress from his house chores he would like a technological product that would keep track of the groceries he is purchasing and would remind him of when the food is running low or is about to expire. He does not want the product to take up too much room in his home and he does not want it to contain many parts so the children cannot break it when playing recklessly indoors. ======
 * ======Lawrence’s Goals: Keeping track of food he purchases regularly; Paying close attention to expiration dates on food in the refrigerator; Taking up purchasing groceries over the Internet to save time ======
 * ====== Scenario: After unpacking his recently purchased groceries, Lawrence Crawford removes the door handle from the top right door of his fridge, which operates as a barcode scanner. Once he has the door handle in his hand he aligns the scanner to a barcode on a carton of milk and hears a “beep” sound, which indicates the scan was successful. He then checks the LCD touch screen on the left top door to notice that item was successfully added to his “Inventory” and is directed to a screen to input the expiry date for the milk. After inputting this information he continues to scan the rest of the items and typing their expiry dates in the system along the way. Once he has completed scanning and inputting the expiring dates for the packaged food he goes on to scan his produce and bakery goods by using the touch screen. He begins by typing in the word of the first item which happens to be an apple by using the “Manual Entry” portal displayed on the touch screen. He proceeds to type in the word apple and accepts the suggested expiry date that is displayed. After inputting all of his items into the system and putting the food in the refrigerator the list is saved. The list will be useful when he accesses the //Grocery Gateway// website to purchase any necessary groceries when he is too busy to go to the super market due to work or his childrens’ recreational activities. ======

Nancy Smith has decided to take Saturday off of work. During this free time, Nancy decides to host a dinner party for a large group of her friends. In anticipation for this event, Nancy has been gradually purchasing the groceries she will need for the past week. A few days before the party, Nancy notices that the inventory list on her FoodSmart states that her grapes will expire tomorrow. However, she inspects the grapes and determines that they are still fresh. She finds this true of many of her produce. Because produce requires manual entry of expiry dates, Nancy often finds it difficult to judge when a product may expire. She finds that this requires too much guesswork and that it is easier to physically inspect her produce instead. In this case, she does not find that the produce expiry dates are of much help, therefore ignoring the expiry dates for her produce altogether. Nancy does not find this aspect of the FoodSmart very useful or very necessary, considering it is often reliant upon a user’s arbitrary estimations. On the day of her party, Nancy’s guests help themselves to drinks and snacks from the FoodSmart. Since none of them are familiar with the FoodSmart, they do not realize that they must scan items in and out of the fridge. This leaves Nancy’s inventory list very inaccurate and it is frustrating for her. She also finds that some of her more rowdy guests had been playing with the touch-screen interface. Her settings and inventory list had been altered, further frustrating Nancy. Nancy was therefore forced to change all of her original settings back, which is not what she wanted to do with an already busy day and with her long work hours. Nancy had to use the Options menu to try and determine her original settings and also uses the Manual Entry and Inventory list to either add or delete items. Nancy found it too easy for others to use and change aspects on the FoodSmart interface.

__Detail how the final low fidelity prototype was created from the member’s prototypes__.

 * ======The final prototype, consisting of twelve screens, was created during the course of three weeks. At every stage of prototype submission, a different hardware and/or software component of FoodSmart was prototyped. Firstly, a low fidelity prototype of Food Smart’s LCD screen was created by the group members by June 7th, 2011. That prototype had eight screens in total, including the ‘Home’, ‘Inventory’, ‘Manual Entry’, ‘Shopping’, ‘Help’, two ‘Options’ screens, and an ‘iPhone application’ screen. All of the screens were drawn on A4 paper, and a minimalistic colour palette was chosen and used consistently on every screen. The second step in the prototyping process was completed by June 14th, where “The Inventors” had to submit a revised and merged prototype, which concentrated on a different function of FoodSmart. “The Inventors” decided to create a low fidelity prototype of the fridge’s handle which is also a detachable wireless barcode scanner gun. In addition, the fridge’s exterior was prototyped, which included the transparent and translucent state of the electrochromic glass door. Once again, the prototypes were drawn on A4 paper, and the same colour palette was used as for the previous prototype.Lastly, the final prototype was created, which included all of the screens mentioned above, drawn in Adobe Illustrator. Some design changes were made from the time the first low fidelity prototype was created and until the digital prototype was finalized, and the colour palette was slightly changed. New buttons were added to ‘Inventory’ and ‘Shopping Screens’, and new colours were added to the colour palette. The final prototype includes a total of 12 screens, which is a combination of the prototypes created and later revised in the first step of the project along with the prototypes created in the second step of the project. The final prototype can be viewed below, it includes:======
 * ======FoodSmart with SmartGlass Activated (Slide 2)======
 * ======FoodSmart with SmartGlass Deactivated (Slide 3)======
 * ======FoodSmart’s ‘Home’ Screen (Slide 4)======
 * ======FoodSmart’s ‘Inventory’ Screen (Slide 5)======
 * ======FoodSmart’s ‘Manual Entry’ Screen (Slide 6)======
 * ======FoodSmart’s ‘Shopping’ Screen (Slide 7)======
 * ======FoodSmart’s ‘Help’ Screen (Slide 11)======
 * ======FoodSmart’s Interface Keyboard (Slide 19)======
 * ======FoodSmart’s Options Screens in different typefaces (Slides 8-10, and 12-18)======
 * ======FoodSMart's Scanner (Slide 20)======
 * ======FoodSmart's Grocery List Application (Slide 21)======

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The timeline for project FoodSmart was set from May 19th until June 16th. Therefore, a full month was given to outline group member roles, write a project concept paper, establish system requirements, create a prototype, revise and merge that prototype, present the project, and submit the final report. The first step of the project invloved creating a project team and assigning roles to each member. “The Inventors” submitted the document with all the members’ names, their primary and secondary roles, as well as role descriptions on The 19th of May. Next, a //Project Concept Paper// was submitted a few days later, which included a list of possible project ideas that every group member came up with. This was done to show the professor that “The Inventors” have been brainstorming ideas, and that they already had some ideas to work with. Then, on May 26th, 2011, “The Inventors” submitted a //System Requirements// document where the group described the functional requirements of the proposed FoodSmart fridge including the hardware and software requirements, along with data, information, and interface requirements. The document also described FoodSmart’s non-functional requirements, such as performance, quality, and usability requirements. A timeline for the project was also established, and was followed strictly throughout every phase of the project, with none of the work being submitted late. Lastly, the System Requirements document also outlined some possible recommendations for future research on similar fridge systems. After all of the research has been completed, the prototyping process began. On June 7th, every individual member of “The Inventors” team submitted their personas, storyboards and scenarios as well as their prototypes for a particular function of FoodSmart. This was done in order to outline the potential users of this new system, as well as to describe their possible daily interactions with the new technology. On June 14th, the group submitted a //Revised and Merged Prorotype// document//,// which was composed of prototypes for different functions of FoodSmart as well as new personas and scenarios. This was done to further advance the prototyping process, as well as to brainstorm some more on the potential users of the system that may not have been accounted for in the first phase of prototyping. The last phase of the FoodSmart project was the final //Project Presentation// and the submission of the //Final Report// on June 16th. The presentation described the making of FoodSmart, from beginning until end, and the Final Report gave a written description of how FoodSmart was created, the requirements of the system, the methodology followed during the project, a description of FoodSmart’s design, and the results of testing that every member has performed individually. All in all, project FoodSmart was completed in about a month, and was fully completed on the 16th of June. Every group member’s contribution was unquestionably valuable and appreciated by the whole group. ======


 * Conclusion ** :

There are certain important facets of information that can be drawn from our design process and brainstorming for the FoodSmart smart refrigerator. One detail is that feedback from users that test out our design is essential to the development process. Designers can come up of a multitude of features in an attempt to entice people towards the final product, but they hold the valuable information that can lead to feature enhancements, or new features that may not have been thought of during the development process. One other relevant detail that can be taken away from the overall process is that developers should be careful not to include unnecessary features that only serve as a gimmick to the user, rather than a benefit. Features such as complete internet browsing or access to Twitter may sound appealing to users, but its important as a necessary aspect can be contested as something that only serves to drive up the price and cost of the final product. Our hope is that our product is viable enough not to oust the competition, but to carve its own niche into a market full of possibilities and potential.