Exhibit Control Engineering : Recent Projects

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Recent Projects

Northampton Historical Society Sigal Museum, Easton, PA

Synopsis: Developed two NetLinx master programs and one touch panel file used to control the museum exhibits and the auditorium system. The Museum Control system controlled three projectors (two Hitachi CP-X809 and one Digital Projection mVision) and a NEC 57-IN LCD. Media players included Roku (Brightsigns) HD 1010 mpeg players and an Alcorn AM4 audio unit. The auditorium provided the capability for a docent to play an orientation video (Roku) on a Digital Projection iVision 20 projector on demand or operate a Pioneer Blue Ray player or display a PC presentation via a wall plate. Full deck controls and audio volume control were provided in the presentation mode. The two systems were designed to transparently be one from the perspective of the end user, including the automated scheduling system.

Employed by: Boston Productions Inc.

Completed: August, 2010.

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Dubuque, IA

Synopsis: Designed the electronic system, both control and hardware, for a museum whose fabrication was completed in the Summer of 2010. The eleven exhibit design includes four Watchout PC systems and 39 channels of audio. One of the audio channels employs a sonic transducer to transmit vibration to the Canal Experience. Other interesting aspects of the design were the requirement to display video projection on a falling sheet of water and an underwater intercom system for communication by a docent with a diver in an aquarium tank.

Also programmed the NetLinx control system for the media and interactive galleries. Between the design phase and the program phase the underwater intercom was deleted for other than design reasons and one Watchout program was redesigned using a Roku BrightSigns mpeg player.

Employed by: Design and Production Inc.

Completed: Design Phase completed November, 2009; Programming Phase completed June, 2010.

Hershey's Chocolate World, Creating Your Own Candy Bar Experience, Hershey PA

Synopsis: Developed a NetLinx seven-day scheduling system with virtual touch panel interface (NXD-300) for daily power up and down operations for this new experience at Chocolate World.   Also employs an ECE product: the Panjo Interface - Relay Version.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: May, 2010.

Tasty Kake Visitor Center, Philadelphia, PA

Synopsis: Developed a NetLinx program and touch panel for the Tasty Kake state-of-the-art (read Green) Bakery's visitor center exhibit control system. Exhibits include a hi-def mpeg (Adtec Edje) using a Digital Projection projector for an orientation theater, other hi-def (Roku, also known as BrightSigns) and audio only (Alcorn McBride AM4) exhibits and a PC interactive. All exhibits are triggered via motion control. The system also includes an automated scheduling and exhibit diagnostics.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: April, 2010.

Washakie Museum and Cultural Center, Worland, WY

Synopsis: Developed a NetLinx scheduling system with virtual touch panel interface for daily power up and down operations for six PC exhibits and their flat screen monitors.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: March, 2010.

Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville, PA

Synopsis: Developed a NetLinx control system with touch panel for daily operations for four PC exhibits, an eight track MP3 player (Alcorn 8Traxx) and a two mpeg players with projectors (from Panasonic) one of which was on a HoloPro screen. Two of the exhibits were triggered by motion detectors.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: February, 2010.

The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, Chicago, IL

Synopsis: Developed a NetLinx system with touch panel for the orientation theater high definition video show. Provided both docent and motion detector operations for the orientation show which has six languages available for captions (or an option for no captions). This theater was a dual function room that also had provisions for being used for general presentations.   System components include: projector, high definition mpeg player, switcher, DVD player, VCR, lighting control, CD player, surround sound processor, motorized screen control. Volume control was available for both inside the room as well as for piping room programs and microphone announcements out to the museum area.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: January, 2010.

The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, Arlington, TX

Synopsis: Developed a NetLinx scheduling system with WEB interface for daily power up and down operations for four PC exhibits and their flat screen monitors. Also uses one of ECE's products: the Panjo Interface - Relay Version.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: December, 2009.

The National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

Synopsis: Developed a museum facility wide exhibit/gallery automated scheduling program using NetLinx and DMX controlled relays and the recently available Modero Virtual Touch Panel.

Employed by: Design and Production Inc.

Completed: October, 2009.

U.S. Naval Academy Museum, U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

Synopsis: The scope included two NetLinx systems. The first was for the museum at large and controlled schedule power up and down of both media based and PC based exhibits. Media exhibits included a six channel high definition binloop. The second system was for an orientation theater which could also be used as a general purpose presentation facility, making use of a Panasonic projector.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: Phase I, September, 2009; Phase II, March 2010 (delayed completion due to others).

Ford’s Theatre Museum, National Historic Site, Washington, DC

Synopsis: This museum located in the basement of the theater where President Lincoln was assassinated, portrays the era surrounding his election, presidency and death. Displays are mainly Samsung LCDs and one Panasonic projector. Media devices are a six channel high definition binloop and two mp3 digital message machines. One exhibit simulates the visitor being in the Oval Office and looking out over the streets of Washington with the Capitol under construction seen in the distance. This exhibit's media is presented on an LCD screen embedded in the "President's" desk top and on a mimic monitor. It previews documents and objects that might have crossed the Lincoln's desk as well as photographs of people and places in the news at the time. The media is synchronized with an elaborate DMX (AMX controlled) light show on the other side of the picture window overlooking Washington. The light show illuminates a scrim with the Washington scene painted on it and reveals mural scenes and a graveyard with soldiers' head stones behind the scrim. The light show also controls two strobe lights which are synchronized to cannon fire, gun shots and explosions.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: July, 2009

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural, National Historic Site, Buffalo, NY

Synopsis: Contracted to modify the logic in a program recently developed by another organization so that it was easier to use by the client and more operationally stable and robust. The system contained four independent shows that were docent controlled, three of which incorporated light shows. Completed in five days, just prior to Opening Day.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: June, 2009

West Virginia State Museum Cultural Center, Charleston, WV

Synopsis: Provided the NetLinx programming and touch panel pages for this extensive, immersive environment that presents a walk-through timeline of West Virginia. Control three 16-channel and one 8-channel binloops, ten eight-channel DSPs (Symetrix) via Cobra Net, nine projectors and an ETC Expression lighting, a three-computer Watchout show and interface with two APC UPSs for graceful power down in the event of loss of building power. User interface was via two NXD-CV5 touch panels, two Mio push button panels and a CPI-16 for visitor lighted button interface. Provided two built-in scheduling systems: one for exhibits and the other for lighting.

Employed by: Design and Production Inc.

Completed: May 2009

The Carrier Ready Room, "The Cold War Gallery", National U.S. Navy Museum, Washington, DC

Synopsis: Provided a NetLinx show control program for this simulated carrier ready room, where visitors can view a high definition video on the Navy in the Cold War on demand by the push of a button. The system controls a digital Projection iVision 20HD, two Roku mpeg players (one high def), a Denon AV receiver, Lutron lighting, a Pioneer DVD player and three props. The room can also be used as a general purpose presentation room for displaying a laptop on the screen or the DVD player. Control is via a multi-purpose handheld RF transmitter which is used for turning the system on and off, switching between automated theater and presentation mode, switching sources and controlling volume through the Denon and controlling the lights.

Employed by: Design and Production Inc.

Completed: April 2009

GridPoint Product Demonstration and Conference Room, Arlington, VA

Synopsis: Moderate demonstration and conference room control system which has one projector, two large LCD flat screens and six five-inch LCD screens. The facility demonstrates "green" power control for facilities over the Internet.

Contracted by: Phoenixx Systems, LLC

Completed: January 2009

Spurlock Exhibit, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

Synopsis: Developed an automated Netlinx control system for a LCD flatscreen and Watchout media PC which are part of a gallery called Picturing the Promise which is a small preview at NMAH for the National African American History and Cultural Museum, currently under development.

Contracted by: Blair Dubilier and Associates

Completed: January, 2009

Coacoochee's Story Theater, Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa, FL

Synopsis: Developed exhibit control programs for a unique presentation of the story of a Seminole Chief during the Seminole Wars in the 1800s. The audience's initial view is from a tree shaded canopy overlooking Tampa Bay, circa the 1800s, with a large video screen nested up in the trees and Spanish moss hanging from the limbs. The Bay Scene was painted on a scrim which separates the static foreground from the dynamic scenes behind. Behind the scrim are three motorized turntables (from 14 to 18-feet in diameter) and a very large video screen. The center turntable is partitioned for three scenes while the other two turntables each sport two scenes and a video projector and vertical screen for presenting larger than life videos of the key characters. Diorama scenes include Coacoochee chained on a ship, Lt Sprague both writing at an encampment and in full ceremonial uniform (dress blues), Coacoochee and Osceola in a prison cell and an attacking Indian in the woods bordering Lake Okeechobee. The sixteen minute plus show has elaborate lighting effects which included strobes for rifle shots in battle scenes to a blazing inferno in the theater during fire scenes. All-in-all, the show is a powerful and creative presentation of a very moving story. The control program synchronizes the mpeg videos with the lighting program; provides automated playing twice or three times an hour (based on user selection) or on demand in a manual mode. The show control also cues the table movements as well as provides safety measures for the eight-ton platforms and controls the theater entry and exit doors. It also controls the countdown to next show video outside the theater and provides a scheduler for automated power up and down on a daily basis using user input for times. Finally, it provides Fire Alarm initiated shut down as well as user activated emergency operations.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: January, 2009.

The Hershey Story, Hershey Museum, Hershey, PA

Synopsis: Developed exhibit control programs for 18 channels of binloop mpeg players; five HD mpeg players (3 of which were synchronized) and three video mpeg players in synchronization, eleven large CD monitors and seven projectors. Interaction included two exhibits using 10 light sensors each to determine which of 10 audio files to play, visitor buttons and docent wireless controls. Provided volume control via control of six DSP devices which processed 48 channels of audio. Not only synchronized lighting for two exhibit shows, but also provided preset and full range light control for ten zones of facility lighting, including exterior lighting. Developed both touch panel control pages, as well as a 4-user WEB control that mimic the touch panel capability. Provided a docent controlled interactive exhibit that switched between five computers and three mpeg players on five screens based on either user programmed cycle times or docent control via a wireless device.

Contracted by: Boston Productions, Inc.

Completed: December, 2008.

Star Spangled Banner Gallery, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

Synopsis: Provided program installation, test and debug services for an automated Netlinx control system for six Doremi Nugget HD mpeg players, an 8Traxx mp3 player, six large flat screens and two DLP projectors with interface with the Building Management and Fire Alarm systems.

Contracted by: Barron Systems

Completed: November, 2008

FBI Conference Room, Richmond, VA

Synopsis: Moderate conference room control system.

Contracted by: Phoenixx Systems, LLC

Completed: October 2008

Capitol Visitor Center, Our Nation’s Capitol, Washington, DC

Synopsis: Developed exhibit control programs for both the House and Senate orientation video wall shows, video kiosks and automated controls for the interactive PC exhibits. Exhibit controls included scheduling and manual show controls.

Employed by: Design and Production Incorporated

Completed: October 2008

The Library of Congress Experience, Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Synopsis: Provided NetLinx programming for two seven plasma screen video trees using Watchout computers to control the synchronize playback in addition to synchronized moving LED signs. Program included motion detector operations and a scheduling function.   Also provided Netlinx scheduling program for two other video media/projector exhibits.

Employed by: Design and Production Incorporated

Completed: June 2008

Air Force Financial Management Trade Show Exhibit, Pentagon, DC

Synopsis: Developed NetLinx program and custom electronics for interactive exhibit.

Contracted by: Phoenixx Systems, LLC

Completed: April 2008

Visitor Exhibits at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Kansas City, MO

Synopsis: Provided NetLinx programming for the orientation theater with high definition mpeg playback devices and automated controls for interactive exhibits, some using motion detectors. Provided control for operating some of the exhibits with a wireless remote.

Contracted by:   Boston Productions Inc.

Completed: April 2008

Weedon Island Preserve Visitor Center, St. Petersburg, FL

Synopsis: Developed touch panels pages and NetLinx program to provide manual user and automated control for the entire museum using 16-channel mpeg playback device, 8-track mp3 player, rack monitor switching, volume control and multiple LCD and projector controls.

Contracted by:   Boston Productions Inc.

Completed: December 2007

Power Of Children Gallery, The Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Indianapolis, IN

Synopsis: Provided touch panel pages and NetLinx control program for three automated theaters: The Anne Frank Story, The Ruby Bridges Story and the Ryan White Story. Provided both automated shows on a timer and docent operated show controls. Show control included synchronized mpeg playback devices, projectors, LCD screens, motorized screens and DMX lighting.

Contracted by: Boston Productions Inc

Completed: December 2007

Interactive Learning Studio, Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH

Synopsis: This was a three video synchronized show in which the docent faux “real time” interacts with three teams exploring the environment of the Gulf of Maine. It included an ambitious DMX light show with three moving lights, four stationary gobos, eight gobos in a moving light fixture, changing color gels and a grand finale. Each visitor is at one of 32 computer stations. During the show they answer questions, play games and try to help each of the three teams on the screens. Near the end, the PCs determine which of the 32-stations has the highest score. The show program then starts a 15-second search light sequence trying to find the winner. Finally all lights converge on the winner’s position and their live image is switched to the center screen. The theater can also be used as a general-purpose presentation facility or as a computer classroom.

Contracted by: Boston Productions Inc

Completed: October 2007

Caucus Iowa Exhibit, Iowa State Museum, Des Moines, IA

Synopsis: Provided touch panel pages and NetLinx control programming for this interactive exhibit on the history of the Iowa Caucus. Developed automated control program for mpeg players, mp3 players, projector and LCD displays and power control for PC interactives.

Contracted by: Boston Productions Inc

Completed: September 2007

Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, VA

Synopsis: Provided touch screen pages and automated NetLinx control system with user scheduling capabilities for the permanent main exhibit gallery: included control of a 16-channel mpeg playback device, 8-channel mp3 player and LCDs' and projectors' controls. Visitor interaction was via both button and motion detector devices. Also included was a PC interactive where the payoff was a video of one of four sea creatures swimming overhead of the visitors, and four touch screen inter-actives, each which allowed the visitor to select from six videos to play on their touch screen. Also synchronized a LED controller with audio in a simulated volcano eruption.

Employed by: Design and Production Incorporated

Completed: August 2007

Visitor Center for the National Monocacy Battlefield, Frederick, MD

Synopsis: Provided touch panel pages and NetLinx control for an automated museum gallery that included simulated telegraph operations, an air cannon, multi-tracked mp3 audio player control and a lighting controller.

Contracted by: Phoenixx Systems, LLC

Completed: June 2007

Visitor Center for Gray Fossil Project, Gray, TN

Synopsis: Provided touch panel pages and automated NetLinx programming for a large screen, high definition mpeg player and a multi-track mp3 player for audio exhibits though out the gallery.

Contracted by: Boston Productions Inc

Completed: May 2007