Digital Canvas Initiative

knot(e) is a prototype by Matthieu Minguet that utilizes the headphone input jack of mobile devices, giving users the capability to generate visual and sound compositions by tightening or loosening the “knots” attached to headphones. See this amazing interface in action below:

Knot(e) ECAL/Matthieu Minguet from ECAL on Vimeo.

An excerpt from Minguet’s Vimeo description:

Knot (e) is a device that offers a new way of using objects that we connect to our mobile devices. The prototypes, shown in the form of a rope, harness themselves to revisit the new node as input data. As an extension of a conventional listening device, it allows the user to generate visual and sound compositions. The intersection of the rope amplifies the signal. Conversely, the absence of knots and curves restores the application to its original position. Each prototype has its own forms, colours, atmospheres and sound effects.

How it works (from the Creative Applications Network):

Software is managed by openFrameworks, IOS Objective-C and PureData. The openFrameworks part for conceptualize the application. The objective-C for the GUI and the audio softModem analysis. Finally, PureData for playing audio loops, generate effects and return audio flux informations.

The main technical challenge for Matthieu was to manage the size of components in a tiny cylinder volume. Components and wire management. And also to communicate with those three languages. The physical interaction of bending the rope could also be mapped to other applications for altogether different purpose.

Software: openFrameworks / Objective-C / Pure Data
Hardware: Arduino / Sensors / sailing Rope / iPhone