Primary interactivity for RR will be provided by capacitive touch sensors imbedded within each vertex allowing them to respond to human touch. The sensors consist of a Qprox 105 chip connected to the microcontroller in the node, a voltage regulator for stability, and a single wire sensor antenna arranged at the clear cover plate, effecting the light becomes the "button". By using this system, the complete assembly can be potted in UV stabilized polyurethane resin completely sealing the node from dust and moisture. The actual trigger of the sensor is accomplished by simply placing a hand or finger over the node without having to actually contact the node. This will insert a packet into the RR network chain similar to the L2K/L3K protocol developed by Tim Blacks L2K/L3K installation. One node will contain a second processor tasked with generating the patterns, receiving the touch inputs, and modifying the patterns appropriately.
The RR will be programmed to sequence colour patterns around the nodes without any human input. This will illuminate the RR and attract humans to it. Once a node is touched, the patterns will be modified using various algorithms to simulate effect such as "ripples" and "wind". The base patterns will be similar to a "screen saver" and cycle through as many effects as we can imagine. By utilizing a 3-axis solid state accelerometer/compass, the RR will know its orientation and be able to modify the patterns accordingly. This allows the RR to "know which way is up" as well as its velocity and direction of movement. .
Mode selection will be achieved by a secret sequence that users will have to discover for themselves and pass on to subsequent users (or not). Most modes will require simultaneous input on opposite sides of the structure. This will require people to cooperate and communicate to syncronize inputs. Successful completion of a mode unlocks the next mode, leading through progressively more difficult mathematical puzzles based on the Platonic Solids and other geometrical sequences. Each mode also comes with more brilliant and colorful patterns encouraging extended cooperation.
Although we do not plan to have any patterns require inputs on the top of the sphere, the structure will be built sufficiently sturdy to allow participants to climb on. Consideration to the safety of such activity will be given at test runs to determine if this is safe or not.
Example Patterns
(note, all references to "up", "down" or "sides" will be relative to the actual orientation of the RR. If the RR is rolled to a new position, the patterns will adjust to keep these references relative to the actual ground. The "equatorial middle" (EM) will always be relative to the actual horizon).
The first puzzle will be "elements", and incorporates many symbolic and numerological functions for the participants to explore. Although a complete description would reveal the key, the following serves to illuminate the general concept of a visual 3D puzzle on RevolvoResoluto. All patterns will react to the orientation of the unit so rolling sloshes the water, leans the fiire over, and so on.
| Name | Colours | Sequence | Touch Input |
| Fire | Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Whites, and a little blue at the origin | The bottom will bubble and churn in deep reds and oranges, and occasional bursts will traverse up the sides giving the appearance of fire crawling up the sides. The simulated fire will grow with subsequent triggers and eventually die down to a smolder without inputs. | Touch triggers to nodes below the EM will result in the simulated effect of creating new flames that propagate up the sides. Triggers above the EM will attract the flames to the trigger node like a magnet |
| Water | Blues, Greens, light Yellows, and white to simulate ripples and waves | The appearance of rain will be created by random nodes above the EM illuminating and then sequencing down the sides. An appearance of a pool of water will fill up at the bottom, and slosh around as the RR is rolled. | Touch triggers above the EM will generate new raindrops that drip down the sides. Triggers below the EM will produce ripples in the pool that collects at the bottom |
| Air | All colours, but primarily Blues and Whites | Patterns of wind will be simulated originating from the front of the RR and wrap around horizontally. Whichever direction the RR was last rolled in becomes the front, so changing direction will result in the patterns shifting to the new upwind side | Triggers to the front will create new streaks of colour, longer touches creating more colours. Touching anywhere else will create disturbances in the horizontal flow much as water would wrap around a rock in a stream |
| Earth | Primarily Greens, Blues and Browns | The entire surface of the RR will initiate in colours similar to viewing the Earth from space. A program similar to the "life" simulation will slowly morph and warp the colours creating land and water sections. Sections of white will remain at the top and bottom similar to the polar ice caps. | Touches to land or water will expand or contract that section depending on how long the trigger is activated. This will allow humans to shape and modify the simulated planet as if they where an omnipotent entity |
Additional Modes
Some additional mode Ideas include:
- Simon: a large
multi-coloured "simon" game
that would require more than one person to play (or one
person running around
the RR really fast, or rolling the RR to reach each trigger
in order)
-
Pong: based on the classic arcade game, participants would bounce a moving light around the sphere.
- The rest you'll have to play and discover yourself.