- ACTS was designed by the University of Queensland as a laboratory for teaching technology, with the ability for tutors to evaluate various types of technology and their effect/influence on modern pedagogy.
- From a technological perspective, the most important aspect of ACTS was to have all of the hardware and software systems controlled via one single AMX touch panel.
- The custom user interface of the panel provides simple control of hardware, including switchers and more importantly, interfaces with the computer operating system. From one single touch the user can launch various components of any software program on all students' computers.
- AMX Control Solutions simplify modern technology and ACTS is no different. With one touch the tutor can launch an instant poll on the student's computer screens, activate translation software that will render a PowerPoint file into six different languages which is then available to the individual students.
- Integrated into ACTS is the industry leading AMX Total Presentation Interface (TPI-PRO). TPI-PRO transforms third party touch screens into interactive displays.
- AMX Anterus RFID solutions takes the concept of "one touch automation" to "no touch", allowing UQ tutors to experience personalised automation of the room from point of entry. As the tutor enters the room with their RFID tag the AMX control system will recognise their entrance and trigger a number of pre-defined actions such as turning on the computer and adjusts the lighting and audio levels specific to that tutor.
Design Challenges and AMX Solutions
- ACTS is a world class education laboratory designed to research cutting edge technology. With any integration highly advanced technology there are always design challenges.
- Seamless signal switching and distribution to all displays within the room was integral to the success of ACTS. The room has two teaching stations each equipped with a full range of signal sources, two ceiling-mounted visualisers, three primary displays and six secondary displays. In addition there is an observation room at the rear of the theatre fitted with a third TPI-Pro4 to allow a technician or operator to control any aspect of the room.
- Due to the extensive amount of sources and signal management required, the cabling infrastructure needed to be flexible and adaptable. To maintain maximum flexibility and signal integrity, a UTP delivery system was chosen. UQ worked closely with AMX Australia and selected a Modula CatPro solution with a matrix size of 20x20 in a mix of VGA and CatPro signal formats. The ability to mix and match signals in either native HD15 format and Catpro without unnecessary conversion boxes was a bonus in reducing cost and wiring complexity. There are also two 8x8 Precis VGA matrices performing some minor local switching within each teaching station.
- A valuable inclusion of the Modula matrix is the graphical control panel. It allows clear and unambiguous labelling of all inputs and outputs and offers technical staff an intuitive tool for monitoring switching status, troubleshooting signals and custom switching setup.
- Integral to any automated environment is the user interface of the AMX Touch Panel. However with the highly advanced technology involved in ACTS it was imperative that any UQ tutor could walk in and be completely confident with using all the technology available to them. Each teaching station and the observation room needed an intuitive touch panel and each location needed a preview monitor for the three primary displays. A traditional approach would be to put 3 VGA monitors and a touchpanel at each location, however instead UQ chose to consolidate all functions into a single 24' LCD with TPI-PRO-4 enabling full the surface to be fully controlled.
- With the TPI-PRO-4's 1920x1200 resolution, there is sufficient pixel 'real estate' on the 24" monitor to present three 'virtual' preview monitors plus room controls traditionally handled by a separate touchpanel – all on the one control surface. The 'virtual monitors' can be made any size – from a thumbnail to full screen – and in any aspect ratio.
- By using the TPI-PRO single control surface strategy, the teaching station remains uncluttered – with only the touch monitor and a Wacom tablet on each, and with plenty of room for notes and a laptop.
