Chapter 8. Interface with the Outside World

Pure Data provides a number of objects to connect with other computers and peripheral hardware. In this chapter, we explore the possibilities to connect two computers through a local area network. With a smart phone, we can connect it to a computer running a Pure Data application and use the phone as an interaction device. By using a micro-controller board – the Arduino, we can integrate a Pure Data application with custom electronics, such as light sensor and LED light display. It provides developers with a wide range of tools to build custom interfaces that go beyond the conventional mouse, keyboard, and webcam. In this chapter we will cover the following topics:

• Communicating through the Internet

• Controlling the visual display of another computer

• Using Open Sound Control with mobile devices

• Interfacing with custom hardware with Arduino