Schindler's elevator

Left is a control panel of an elevator I found in my company's Beijing office (I guess it is a Schindler's elevator). Right is usual one at my home.

In case of left, you have to input your floor number where you want to go and it will display elevator index which is probably a result from optimized calculation. It is very smart idea for a building which has multiple elevators and especially it can optimize path for people who want to travel to multiple floor together by selecting path-through route. Of course, it seems needs little more intelligence of passenger.

In case of right, it is general design but when I was young I wondered I have to press down or up arrow for going up from base floor when it was at upper floor. I wondered I have to manipulate the elevator come to me at first? Do I need to press down arrow to let it descend? It was just an alternative idea for elevator system before building a model of it in my mind yet.

Both designs want you to input where you want to go. It is asking you and not waiting for your operation. At first, I needed some time to understand Schindler's destination control system. I wonder whether the problem is difficult system or just unfamiliar new for me.

Anyway, it was great experience for me because it remind me of what was my first question for interface design problem.

PREFERENCE
Wikipedia: Elevator
Elevator maker: Schindler

Bus 5001-1

My town has a brand new bus which has new passenger charge system. Because I have nothing to do while seating at bus and have a brand new mobile phone, I decide to observe what is environment around bus drivers.

1. Bus arrangement table on big sun cover over driver's head
2. Surveillance camera: It is watching boarding passengers and ticket machine. Sometimes it can record unpleasant episode between driver and angry passenger.
3. Ticket monitor: Driver has to change mode if passenger want to pay multiple charge or change passenger mode for teenager or kid.
4. Exchange buttons: By pressing button, it will give changes to passenger who pays in cash.
5. RF Card reader: For transportation card passengers, it provides voice feedback. Same module is installed at rear gate. If you want to continue travel to other bus or train, you have to check it out.
6. Handbrake and announcement amp console.
7. Green tea bottle on towel: It seems there is no cup holder.

What a future. Isn't it? But driver still need beverage and storage for personal belongings at any future.

Mobile Flirting (Part2)

One day I spend my time with my new MacBook at Starbucks. Actually there is another people who use Macbook at the Starbucks located in Jungja-dong, Bundang, Korea.

I just tried to search Bluetooth device nearby and found a girl's name who is seating behind me probably. I could know her name and her digital address. If I want to send a note, it is possible.

You know, you can't do that through your mobile network. It can make a connection with any one in the world but it is useless to send a message to a girl overthere.

A young saudi man actually use this Bluetooth flirting method to be connected with a girl. In kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there is cultural barrier between boys and girls. Even a religious police can arrest a guy who violate the rule of local culture. (I hope it is a joke) But it is about a human nature. A young man is designed to fall in love with a glance from a girl.

Isn't it romantic or pathetic? Of course, you can just walk to the girl and ask to go out together.
If you can...

By the way, I bought a new mobile phone which has Bluetooth feature and set the device name with 'my name+my phone number". Any girl can send a flirting message will be welcomed.

Reference

Forethink Design: Mobile Flirting (Part 1)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/05/AR2006080500930.html

Watch for Exam

A week later, the national university entrance examination will be held in Korea (Just like a SAT for US students) Nowadays any mobile phone, calculator and smart watch which can be used for cheating is not allowed in the exam.

This watch is specially designed for examiners. It shows current time and remaining time of exam at same time. You can figure out how much time is left and how to control your pace for solving questions.

Now educational ministration doesn't approve this device for exam but it seems quite smart enough for examiners. Price is around 20USD(19500KRW).

P.S (Add at 17 Nov.) This count down clock is really needed. First exam is language (90min), second is math (100min), third is Foreign language (Of course it is English, 70 min), fourth is social/science/job research (126 min) and last is 2ndary language/Chinese (40min). No same time for a exam unit. Total 426min exam for a day. Hew~

Reference
http://www.nirwana.co.kr/shop/goodalign/good_detail.php?goodcd=1157950318
2007 Korea national univ. entrance examiner's admission ticket