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APPLIED SCIENCE DIVISION COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA

PRACTICUM TIX3988 SEMESTER 2 SESSION 2009/2010

Title: Chatty Robbie (Augmented Reality online browser application) Name

:

CHEW SYAN ZEN

Matric : 114600 Email : sy-zen@hotmail.com Mobile : 017-485 7806 Name

:

REDBOX STUDIO

Address : SUITE 220, LEVEL 2, EUREKA COMPLEX, USM, 11800 PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA..

Name : NIC SIM Telephone : 012-421 7778 Office : 04-659 9778

Supervisor (Organization)

PROPOSAL

Student

Organization

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Pages

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Problem Statement

1.2 Objective

1.3 Scope

1.4 Project Significance

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2

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2.0 Project Planning

2.1 Methodology

2.2 Feasibility Study

2.2.1 Tools

2.2.2 Cost Estimation

2.2.3 Gantt Chart

3-4

4

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5

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3.0 Summary

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References

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Appendix

9-10

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Redbox Studio is adept in providing business solution to the clients by using website. Distinct from web design company, Redbox Studio not only develop website for their clients, but also take in count the commercial value and the actual benefits that can be generated with the website.

Augmented Reality (AR)

With Augmented Reality technology, the real physical environment is augmented with computer generated images and enhancing the users’ current perception of reality. The augmentation is in real-time with physical environment. The Augmented Reality technique that will be used in this project is where the augmentation object will generated on a scene capture by webcam. While a square, black and white marker/symbol detected by webcam, the augmentation object will appear relatively to the coordinate of the marker on the scene.

Chatty Robbie

Chatty Robbie is an online browser application. Augmented Reality technology is applied in this application. With webcam switched on, user will use a marker to call out Robbie, the mascot of Redbox Studio. Robbie will stay on the screen and react with text or questions enter by users.

1.1 Problem Statement

Redbox Studio had developed and obtained reputation through years of production of well refined websites. To avoid common marketing mistake such as vulgar and bombarding promotion, Redbox Studio team is building publicity in smart and keen ways.

As a browser game with Augmented Reality Technology, Chatty Robbie will attract attention of the public and internet users. Besides, the content of the Chatty Robbie will introduce Redbox Studio to public in interesting way.

1.2 Objective

• To increase publicity of company by presenting the new technology, Augmented Reality application.

• Add in a new element, Augmented Reality into marketing strategy of company. • Research and explore the commercial value of Augmented Reality technology.

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1.3 Scope

Chatty Robbie is developed due to enhancing knowledge of public about Redbox Studio. As a browser application, Chatty Robbie is open to all on the Internet.

A marker to interact with this Augmented Reality application will be distributed to users.

Users will need to have a webcam, where the marker can be detect by computer, and Robbie is augmented into the scene.

1.4 Project Significance

Chatty Robbie will add new element into strategy of marketing and increasing publicity. As a browser application, Chatty Robbie allows users to encounter Augmented Reality technology through the Internet.

Chatty Robbie helps to create marketing buzz of Redbox Studio. The public will know more about Redbox Studio while interact with Robbie and these help in increasing the publicity of RedBox Studio.

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2.0 PROJECT PLANNING

This project includes the development of Augmented Reality application and its content, the design of the marker and the augmentation objects. Besides, a web programming is needed since this Augmented Reality application is to be embedding into a webpage and act as a browser application.

This project will develop following methodology as below.

2.1 Methodology

This project will be developed in Waterfall Methodology. In Waterfall approach, the development progress flows from top to bottom through one phase to the next one.

The phases are:

Planning

Marketing strategy of company is studied and the main idea of Chatty Robbie is identified to meet the problem statement. The objective and project significance is discussed to fulfill company’s marketing strategy. Gather and study company profile and information that will be the essential element in designing the content of Chatty Robbie.

Analysis

In this phase, the requirement of this project will be identified. The tools that will be used in building Chatty Robbie are taken into consideration to figure out the most suitable platform and interface for users and costs effective for the developer.

Design

The design includes the front-end interface, and the programming part:

• The marker/symbol, the 3D models and object for Augmented Reality will be designed.

• Webpage as user interface of Chatty Robbie will be designed during this stage too. • An Activity Diagram of this application will be drawn. • The flow of the programming is determined and the pseudocode will be compiled.

Implementation and Testing

In this phase, the designs from Design Phase will be work out.

Programming process of Augmented Reality application and interface of Chatty Robbie is begun in this stage.

Implementation and testing are an iterative cycle. When coding is compiled, testing will be conducted to identify any error. When errors or bugs occur, the coding will be revamped, tested again until it is error free.

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Before implementing Chatty Robbie as a completed online application, Chatty Robbie will be uploaded to local host and will be tested to identify the design flaws or deficiencies until it is qualified to be uploaded to internet hosting.

Maintenance

This project includes the maintaining of Chatty Robbie application after it is implemented as a complete application online. As there are possibilities of certain error and bugs are not discovered during the testing, correction and rectification should be done as soon as the error found and reported by users.

Besides, the maintenance includes updating the elements in Chatty Robbie. Some of the elements in Chatty Robbie are seasonal such as festival greetings or some informative elements need to be update regularly.

Documentation

There will be a report regarding the details of the development process, conclusion and project evaluation. All process detail, procedures, obstacle and challenges during the development will be tidy up, documented and summarized.

2.2 Feasibility Study

To ensure the practicability of this project, a feasibility study is done on tools to be used, cost estimation and a Gantt chart is planned.

2.2.1 Tools

To develop this Augmented Reality application, the tools needed are as below:

Hardware:

• A computer • Webcam • Printer

Software:

• FLARToolkir • Adobe Flash • Adobe Photoshop • Sony Vegas • 3ds Max

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Cost Estimation

Expenses Estimated Cost (RM)

Webcam Printing (include printer, ink cartridge, paper) Software Extra

80.00 250.00

3000.00 500.00

TOTAL 3830.00

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Gantt Chart

PHASE DURATION 1/6 to

14/6

14/6 to

28/6

29/6 to

13/7

14/7 to

28/7

29/7 to

13/8

14/8 to

28/8

29/8 to

13/9

14/9 to

28/9

29/9 to

13/10

14/10 to

28/10

29/10 to

13/11

14/11 to

30/11

Planning

Study company needs and

Prepare proposal

2 weeks

Analysis

Problem analysis

2 weeks

Design

Design the entire project

4 weeks

Implementation and Testing

Programming and

debugging iteratively

8 weeks

Maintenance

Updating the information

(On going)

Documentation

A final Report of the project

4 weeks

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3.0 SUMMARY

Chatty Robbie will allow users to experience the Augmented Reality technology. As an interesting application that will attract users’ attention, Chatty Robbie should be utilized optimally as a marketing tool to increase publicity of Redbox Studio.

Besides, it is a very grateful that FLARToolkit is under the GPL license. Anyone can use FLARToolkit for free with condition of sharing the source code of application created. This sharing phenomenon will catalyze the growth of FLARToolkit and Augmented Reality technology.

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References

Redbox Studio. 2010. (Krista.). Retrieved date June 15, 2010, from

http://www.redboxstudio.com/about-redbox-studio.php

Augmented Reality. 2010. (n.d.). Retrieved date June 15, 2010, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality

Virtual Reality. 2010. (n.d.). Retrieved date June 15, 2010, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality

What is FLARToolkit. (n.d.). Retrieved date June 19, 2010, from

http://www.libspark.org/wiki/saqoosha/FLARToolKit/en

FLAR how-to: Multiple instances of multiple markers. March 6, 2009. (n.d.). Retrieved date June 20, 2010 from

http://www.squidder.com/2009/03/06/flar-how-to-multiple-instances-of-multiple-markers/#more-285

Using FLARToolkit, Papervision3D, and Video. March 25, 2009. (Howie.). Retrieved date June 21, 2010 from

http://veryniceindustries.com/content/using-flartoolkit-papervision3d-and-video

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Appendix

Draft interface of Chatty Robbie

Enter

A window will show the scene capture by webcam

The marker, where the augmented objected will be called out

A textbox where users can enter sentences to interact with the augmented object

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An sample of FLARToolkit application:

http://flartoolkit.milkmidi.com/

turn on webcam and display this marker below to the screen,

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Prepared by: Student’s Signature: Date: 05/ 07/ 2010 _________________________ ( Chew Syan Zen ) Endorsed: Organization’s Supervisor Signature Date: 06/ 07/ 2010 _________________________ ( Nic Sim ) Company Stamp: