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Quattro is an alarm clock radio housed in a semi-translucent enclosure devoid of markings. It is controlled entirely by an illuminated touch sensitive interface. Quattro's function is selected by positioning it in any of four orientations. In contrast with the minimalistic styling, a cuddly plush bear is provided for snoozing as well as tuning the radio.
Orientation Sensitive
Standing the device on any of the four sides adjacent to the display allows user to choose any one of clock, radio, or alarm modes. Clock or radio mode is activated when Quattro is resting on either of the two long sides. The alarm, mapped to both of the two short sides, is communicated as being a 'mode between modes' since the shorter sides are between the longer sides just as the radio alarm is conceptually between the modes of radio and alarm clock. On-screen feedback is provided during rotation so that the mode corresponding to a particular orientation can be easily discerned.
Hiding Functionality
As a result of placing the interface elements for each mode on the sides of the object, having the user stand the object on different sides to select modes effectively hides unneccessary functionality. For example, clock mode and radio mode are mapped to opposing sides of the object. Therefore, when Quattro is in radio mode, the object is resting on the clock interface controls, rendering them invisible and inactive. By showing only the controls that are relevant for a particular mode, action options are limited while functionality is sustained.
Touch Sensitive
Since maintaining a completely clean and solid looking form was a primary objective, there are no physical buttons on Quattro. All interface controls are activated via touch sensitive charge-transfer areas. In total, there are eleven of these areas, two for each of clock and radio modes, one on either short side for snoozing, four on the touch-screen display, and one highly sensitive area for the proximity sensing around the enclosure. Rather than using persistent text or icon labels for these areas, all interface control prompting is performed by controlling lights hidden beneath the semi-translucent enclosure. This allows Quattro to maintain its austere appearance.
Clock Mode
While in clock mode, the time is displayed with large numerals formed by lighting a number of individual LEDs. Pressing the two touch areas on top enters and exits time set mode and alarm set mode respectively. When in either "set" mode, changing the time is performed by touching the numerals on the touch-screen display. Touching the upper half of a numeral causes it to be incremented whereas touching the lower half causes it to be decremented.
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Radio Mode
In radio mode, the currently tuned station is displayed on the screen. When pressing one of the two touch areas on top, the volume is either decreased or increased continuously until the touch area is released. In the same fashion as setting the time, tuning to a different station is performed by touching the station numerals on the touch-screen display. Pressing the upper half of the numeral displayed on the screen tunes the radio upward until released, whereas pressing on the the lower half causes the radio to tune downward. Maintaining the same action across modes for changing the number displayed on the screen (i.e. touching the upper and lower halves of the numerals) contributes to interface consistency and thus enables the results of actions to be more predictable.
Alarm Mode
Quattro enters alarm mode when it is positioned on either short side. The screen is blank throughout the night until twenty four minutes before the alarm time. For every minute that the alarm time draws nearer, another row of lights is lit on the screen. This gradual growth of light is intended to slowly wake the sleeping user. When the alarm time is reached, the radio volume is increased to the prior loudness level and the screen blinks on and off. When in alarm mode, the entire top of the device is a touch sensitive area that, when pressed, adds five snooze minutes to the alarm time. To exit alarm mode, Quattro must be repositioned on one of its long sides (i.e. either clock or radio mode). This deliberate action of rotating the object to turn off the alarm forces the user to wake up to a greater extent than traditional consumer alarm clocks that have an alarm mode switch.
Teddy Bear
Additionally, Quattro is coupled with a plush bear. The bear acts as a single button remote control that functions differently according to what mode the object is currently in. For example, when Quattro is in alarm mode and the alarm is sounding, squeezing the bear causes the alarm to snooze. When in radio mode, squeezing the bear toggles attenuation of the radio volume.
Design Context
Quattro was created in conjunction with Didier Hilhorst at Interaction Design Institute Ivrea as part of the physical interaction design course taught by Heather Martin and Massimo Banzi during the winter of 2004. A great many thanks also go to Gianluca Martino and the amazing Edoardo Brambilla.
Response
In January 2005 Quattro was shown publicly as part of IDII's Strangely Familiar exhibition. Shortly thereafter it recieved a number of favorable mentions in a variety of web and print publications including Grazie Casa, Wallpaper*, Repubblica delle Donne, We Make Money Not Art, Gizmodo, Boing-Boing, and Core77.
March 2005 marked the initial major showing of Quattro as part of the Tecno showcase at the Salone internazionale del mobile in Milan, Italy. More information about this event is available in the Interaction-Ivrea Salone '05 press release and photo collection.
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