SCIENCE CENTERMAY 10-16

Client: Dept. of EE/CprE (Vicky Thorland-Oster)  

Advisors:Jason Boyd

Manimaran Govindarasu

Team Members:Derek Bond (EE)

Matthew Schulz (EE) Si-myung Yang (CprE)

Problem/Solution

Problem Statement: The EE/CprE Dept. Science Center has a group of

exhibits but no way to conduct an organized tour.

Concept Description: Make the room more automated in such a way to

take the burden off the tour guide. The projects aim to attract perspective students,

alumni, company representatives, and outreach participants.

A presentation will explain what our department is about and show a demonstration.

Concept Sketch

Current Exhibits

Consists of 3 exhibits Alternative Energy

Wind & Solar Sequence Programming Speedometer

Electromagnetism

Operating Environment

User Interface

Description: Phidget RFID card reader 22 inch HP Touchsmart PC with Labview

touchscreen interface 46 inch Samsung video monitor Each exhibit has a manual interface

Project Requirements

Functional Videos shall be played on the big screen when their corresponding

button on the touch screen is pushed. Each project shall be highlighted by the exhibit lighting. The layout of the room shall allow a maximum of 30 people. The program shall be robust and handle various situations. Science Center tour is to be under 10 minutes. Tour will start when an RFID card is detected.

Non-functional The projects shall include instructions that are understandable to

the common user. The sound shall be sent out to surround sound speakers placed

throughout the room. The presentation shall be displayed on a large screen monitor. Lights shall be bright enough to get the tour group’s attention.

Market / Literature Survey

We designed our project to look and feel like a Science center environment similar to current Science Centers such as the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines.

To the best of our knowledge, there is no facility similar to our Science Center in any other University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department.

Deliverables

We will provide a clear, concise set of design and technical documents for future operators to ensure sustainability and continued utilization by May 2010.

Each exhibit shall include a set of instructions to allow effective and safe user interaction.

Each exhibit shall include an educational briefing, such as a poster or a short film, to explain underlying concepts to users.

Work Breakdown

Previous project integration: Matt and Derek

Labview programming: Matt and Simon Lighting system design: Derek Documentation: Matt, Derek, and Simon Testing: Matt and Simon

Resource Requirements

We need a room to set up as a Science Center. This is currently in Coover 1212.

For the main program, we will need a computer to run everything from, as well as a touch screen, speakers, RFID reader and tags to initiate the presentation sequence.

Light fixtures, wires, controllers, and other devices will be needed in the design of the room for aesthetic reasons and to help catch the audience’s eye.

Risks

Risk01: Unknown budget at the beginning of the project.

Solution01: We looked at options in various price ranges.

Risk02: Projects may become damaged. Solution02: We will provide schematics of the current

projects so they can be fixed.

Risk03: Theft of a high value item. Solution03: Everything will be secured using security

cables. A security camera is also present in the room.

System Requirements / Analysis

The program will take the burden off the tour guide. An automated tour starts when the RFID card is

swiped. The program will allow additional exhibits to

be added easily. Documentation is provided on how to add projects.

The presentation shall be under 10 minutes. the current presentation has a 3 min intro, and

around 1.5 min demo of each project. Total time is around 7 min.

Functional Decomposition

HW/SW Specifications

Hardware X10 light devices Track and spot lighting (50W bulbs) HP TouchSmart Desktop Computer(touch screen) RFID reader (1023 – PhidgetRFID) RFID tag

Software Labview 2009 VLC player Java (used in current exhibit)

Basic Components

Labview (Main program) RFID Reader & Tag(s) Light Control System

Occupancy Sensor X-10 Devices

Surround Sound System Touch Screen

Labview

Labview is used to control the operation of the room and communicate between computers

Inputs RFID Reader Project Data User

Outputs Video Lighting

RFID Reader & Tag(s)RFID Reader RFID Tags

We integrated the Labview vi from Phidget into our main program.

Takes tag data and looks up corresponding name in an excel file.

Light Control System Designed a labview vi that sends X10 serial commands to the

serial port.

Set each dimmer to a different address so we could control

them all separately

Used an Occupancy Sensor to turn on and off lights

X10 control device Occupancy Sensor Lamplinc Dimmer

X10 device layout

Electricity cable

RJ11 cable connection

RS232 serial cable connection

Plug into outletPlug into outlet

X10 signal sent through electricity cable

Command through serial port

Plug into outlet

Surround Sound

Purpose To provide audio for the Science Center’s audience

from videos and future exhibits

Current set-up: 2.1 surround

Future: 5.1 or better

Touch Screen

Purpose To act as the interactive input device for the user. Gives more of a Science Center feel.

Previous Design: Elo TouchSystems

Implemented: HP TouchSmart

Test Plan (Simulations)

Black Box Testing Tested each component separately Tested the system using various

scenarios Use Cases (Possible Scenarios )

Registered tour group Unregistered user Multiple users Someone in room when tour comes

Let visitors during VEISHEA test the system

Test Results

Black box testingWe simulated various scenarios looking for errors

Problem: VLC player would freeze when it is supposed to be closed.Solution: The reason for the error was that VLC player tried to play

another video while playing one. To solve it, we made the main system send the acknowledgement signal to touchscreen computer when video is finished.

Problem: After the tour mode, the system would shut down.Solution: Inserted the function which calls screen1 after tour is finished. Problem: Labview would cascade the windows when switching between

menus.Solution: We changed the run-time position from maximized to custom

setting.

VEISHEA visitor testingOver 130 visitors tested the system during VEISHEA with no

complications

Future Work

The room is designed to allow for the addition and removal of exhibits with ease.

Documentation is included walking through the steps required to make changes.

Touch Screen has multi-touch capabilities for the use in future exhibits.

Conclusions/Lessons Learned

Conclusion Overall, we feel that we were successful in

completing and overcoming the difficulties presented to us in our project.

Lessons Learned Do not discount losing a member. Spend more time in the first semester doing

research and design. Do not assume previous projects are functioning

properly and have adequate documentation.

Questions?