Budapest Setup
From MobiComp
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Notes on setting up the Smart Museums exhibit at the Interactive Salon
This page describes the setup employed in Budapest. The information provided should be sufficient for anyone setting up the Interactive Salon display. In case of problems, please contact Kent or Bologna. See also, Detailed setup notes for Kent/Bologna use only.
The Smart Museums display as shown in Budapest
Outline wiring diagram for routers, Mac minis and PC
Network
There are two Linksys WiFi base stations/routers. One is used as a bridge to a local network at the exhibition site, and provides Internet access to the private network (Router 1 in the diagram). When properly configured, this bridge also enables us to manage the Mac minis and PC remotely. The other is used as a wired ethernet hub connecting the two Mac minis and the PC, and providing wireless access to this private network for the PDAs (Router 2 in the diagram).
Whilst it is possible to provide the bridging function to a local WiFi network, we strongly prefer to use a wired connection to a local network for this purpose. In Budapest, the locally available network was WiFi only and appeared to have a poorly configured DHCP server. For this reason, Router 1 was connected, but not set up for outgoing Internet connection or incoming management purposes.
The private network uses the address range 192.168.90.* -- if this conflicts with any local infrastructure, disconnect the internet connection to Router 1 and consult Kent/Bologna.
Both routers have a very tight firewall based on IP-tables, only allowing mobicomp specific packages.
The router power supplies have UK pins and are fitted with european plug adapters. These should be plugged in the 220V supply. Ethernet cabling to the other devices is shown in the wiring diagram above.
Mac mini 1
The Context and VisitorGuide services are provided by a Mac mini. This is the one with a MobiComp VisitorGuide sticker on the top surface, and yellow tape at the back.
Connections:
Some connecting cables are marked with yellow tape.
From left to right in the image, the cables are:
- Power from separate Apple power supply unit.
- Ethernet cable to WiFi router/base station.
- Video cable (not attached to display).
- Use a video cable or just a DV to VGA adapter and plug into the video socket. This is a trick to convince the Mac that it has a display, so that it does not try to reduce its screen resolution when viewed using vnc.
- It may be useful to plug in a display when setting up this machine. Once setup is complete, the monitor is not needed as we use VNC to show the Mac desktop on the Arces PC.
- USB keyboad (Apple Mac type). Used only for setting up, a USB mouse may also be connected for setup purposes. Normally we access this machine from the Arces PC. In normal use, the keyboard (and mouse) should be hidden from sight.
- USB RFID reader. This is a small device coloured blue and about the same size and shape as a USB memory stick. It should be taped down on the display stand close to the MobiComp Quiz labels.
- Place the stack of MobiComp Quiz cards near the RFID reader. These are credit card sized white plastic cards with a printed quiz label on one side. The cards contain an RFID tag. When the tag is passed over the reader, the web page for the answer to the quiz question is displayed.
- Also place the two "Staff Pass" cards nearby. Passing these over the reader causes the 'staff only' pages to be displayed.
Running the software
See instructions for running the Arces PC below. We will normally access this machine via the VNC viewer. However, to test with a monitor attached,
- Log on using the user name salon and password salon.
- Start the Safari web browser. This shows the VisitorGuide main index automatically. If the page appears, then all software is probably working. Try passing a quiz card or staff pass over the RFID reader to check that the appropriate page appears.
Mac mini 2
This is the one with white tape at the back.
It supplies several services:
- MobiComp context service
- Fedora content manager
- Seamless Content Navigator
If a power down event occurs, the Mac Mini is able to start automatically when the power is restored.
Connections
All connecting cables are marked with white tape.
From left to right in the image, the cables are:
- Power from separate Apple power supply unit.
- Ethernet cable to WiFi router/base station.
- Video adapter/plug (not attached to display).
- Use a video cable or just a DV to VGA adapter and plug (see image above) into the video socket. This is a trick to convince the Mac that it has a display, so that it does not try to reduce its screen resolution when viewed using vnc.
- It may be useful to plug in a display when setting up this machine. Once setup is complete, the monitor is not needed as we use VNC to show the Mac desktop on the Arces PC.
Running the Software
If the LAN configuration is unchanged, just switch on the Mac Mini. All the software should start automatically.
Arces PC
This provides the stereo camera system. The software comprises a person recognition system and a people counter system. This enables us to provide a simple security system to know in real time how many people are inside the museum and to generate statistics on the flow of visitors. If a power down event occurs, the Arces PC is able to start automatically when the power is restored.
Connections
All connecting cables are marked with red tape.
- Ethernet cable to WiFi router/base station.
- Video cable to display monitor.
- USB wireless dongle (mouse rest/charger) plus wireless keyoard and mouse. Used only for setting up and running software. In normal use, the keyboard and mouse should be hidden from sight.
- Firewire connection to stereo camera.
Running the Software
- Double click on the 1 starttracker icon
- a window will open, left mouse click on the word trackers
- another window will open, left mouse click on trackers settings
- another window will open, left mouse click on tracker#1, then left mouse click on OK
- another window will open, left mouse click on trackers settings
- a window will open, left mouse click on the word trackers
- Double click on the 2 collector icon
- a window will open, left mouse click on trackers
- another window will open, left mouse click one the trackers setting
- another window will open, left mouse click on the 1#, then left mouse click on OK. Be sure that no body will be under the camera or in the space viewed by the camera when you click on the OK button. The system require an empty space just for a few seconds to recognize the back ground.
- another window will open, left mouse click one the trackers setting
- a window will open, left mouse click on trackers
- Double click on the counter monitor icon
- Double click on the vnc viewer icon
- in the dialog, left mouse click on connect. This will connect to a virtual display on Mac mini 1.
- on the login screen for Mac mini 1, left mouse click on user name salon, then enter password salon.
- once started, left click on safari (at bottom of screen, 3rd icon from left)
- on the login screen for Mac mini 1, left mouse click on user name salon, then enter password salon.
- in the dialog, left mouse click on connect. This will connect to a virtual display on Mac mini 1.
Warning
- HOW TO START UP:
A How-to pdf document can be download here HOW-TO. This document is a printable version of this online how-to. It contains more picture and screen-shots as examples.
- Windows Arangements:
Please refer to The MobiComp Exhibit picture to see how to arrange all the windows.
- VERY IMPORTANT:
At end be sure to do one left mouse click on the “Mobicomp Monitoring” windows to leave the focus on this windows, otherwise this windows will not be refreshed properly.
PDAs
There are two HP2490 PDAs fitted with RFID readers, plus cradles and power supplies.
- The power supplies have UK plugs which should be connected to the UK style 4-way adapter.
- The low voltage outputs should be connected to the cradles.
- The PDAs should be left in the cradles for charging at all times when not in use. Before packing the PDAs for transport, they should be fully charged (orange light is continuous, not flashing) and switched off.
In addition, there are seven exhibit labels. These are plastic A5 size label holders containing coloured labels which are headed "MobiComp Visitor Guide". Labels are provided for the following exhibits:
- Smart Museums, 3D Web Service, Arrigo Vii,Hokusai Manga, Interactive Cafe Table, Culturama and Music in Space.
Most of these labels carry two different types of RFID tag. The small black 'button' mounted on a blue circle is the tag used by the PDAs. For more information, see PDA RFID Help page.
Instructions on running and maintaining the PDAs can be found on the Staff Setup page.
