Final Project Sketch – Computer Vision Block Synthesizer

Team members: Marc Julien, Kaitlin Schaer

Our idea for the physical computing final project is to build a computer vision synthesizer toy. Using the Open CV python libraries, and a virtual midi synthesizer, we will create a product that stays true to the basic way of playing with blocks, but with the added feature of producing a musical soundscape. The synthesizer will be comprised of a play surface, a variety of colored blocks to experiment with, and a Playstation eye camera to detect the arrangements the user makes.

The type of composition our synthesizer will create is still being decided- ideas as of yet include: percussive beats; classical music in which each block represents an instrument in the arrangement; music in which each block represents a sequence (all blocks in the same key) that can be arranged in something hopefully pleasing to the ear.