Group 5: Universal Exports

Group Members (left to right): Dan Sparks, Edward Sheriff, Mike Klockow,

and Jon Hopp

Group 5: Universal ExportsProject Description A system of remote devices that allow

customers to view, navigate, and order from menus.

Base station unit to control communications and act as a relay between the remote devices and a PC.

Remote unit to act as a user interface and alert customer when their table is ready.

Software Interface that allows modification of menu information and viewing of remote orders.

Group 5: Universal ExportsOverview and Motivation Allows customers to productively use waiting

time at restaurants. Increase kitchen productivity, reduce waitress

workload by decreasing their trips to the kitchen. Restaurants have higher profit margins on

appetizers and drinks, these devices promote the sale of such.

Reduce customer frustration in waiting area and increase overall dining satisfaction by eliminating perceived wait time for appetizers.

Increase restaurant throughput.

Success Criteria Ability for the base station to alert remote unit and

illuminate LEDs. Ability for the base station to send menu information

to remote device. Ability for remote device to decode and display

menu information on the LCD display. Ability for user to easily navigate menu on remote

unit’s LCD display. Ability to edit menu information on base station

through a software interface. Ability for remote device to send order information

wirelessly and confirm order. (failed)

Group 5: Universal ExportsBlock Diagram Part 1: Base

Group 5: Universal ExportsBlock Diagram Part 2: Remote Unit

Group 5: Universal ExportsDesign Constraints/Component Selection Remote Device needs to be battery powered

(low current draw) LP2992 low drop-out voltage regulators

Requires Base to have dual USARTs (PC to Base, Base to RF) Atmel ATmega162v

RF should be single chip transceiver Atmel AT86RF211

Display should be multi-line graphics display Microtips 128x128 graphic LCD display

Group 5: Universal ExportsPatent Liability Analysis Several companies produce restaurant

pager/notification systems, patents exist to cover paging feature

No patents covering the functionality of our project were found One similar patent was for a server call system, a unit that

sits on a table and is used to alert a server to your needs One was for a wired system for order management with

auto menu updating (similar to a display at a fast food drive-thru)

Pager functionality represents an infringement under the Doctrine of Equivalents

Our project implements similar features of the other patents, but in entirely different ways

Possibly work for Purdue lawyers?

Group 5: Universal ExportsReliability and Safety Analysis Durable Packaging assures Safe Use

No user accessible components Failure Modes mostly involved loose

wiring or software malfunction Weaknesses in Power Supply Reliability

Calculated short life span for -15 volt power supply components

150 uf Capacitor ~ 77,000 hours (<8 years)

Group 5: Universal ExportsEthical and Environmental Impact Ensure user safety

Proper grounding of all components, especially metal screen casing

Water proofing cases to prevent damage from submersion in spilled beverage

Make product dependable Fully test software and firmware (both

functional and statement coverage) BIST – Including POST, brownout,

receive/transmit error

Group 5: Universal ExportsEthical and Environmental Impact Manufacturing

Design for low power consumption (long battery life creates less waste)

Use lead free solder and environmentally friendly PCB processing houses

Functional Life Reducing product packaging, use biodegradable

materials Warning labels suggesting proper recycling of batteries

Disposal User’s Manual recommendations for recycling of PCB

and components (return to manufacturer for proper disposal)

Group 5: Universal ExportsPackaging Design Considerations NTN Playmaker

900 MHz transceiver 8-line back-lit LCD Read questions on a

TV screen Send and receive data

through a handheld unit

Group 5: Universal ExportsPackaging Design Considerations Guest Paging Systems

Small size and weight UHF 450-470 MHz at 2

watts of power Vibrates along with

flashing LEDs

Group 5: Universal ExportsPackaging Design Considerations Small and Light Have an Intuitive Interface Safe and Durable for Frequent Use Bright LEDs for Notification

Group 5: Universal ExportsPackaging Design ConsiderationsMaterials List: LCD Display 5 push button switches Notification LEDs 5 Volt Wall-Wart 6” x 4” x 2” Project Box 3” x 2” x 1” Project Box DB-9 Connector

Group 5: Universal ExportsSchematic Design Considerations Microcontroller pin connections

RF connects through USART and 3 port pins. Buttons need port pins (minimum of 3), internally

debounced. LCD data bus runs from PortC and 3 control port pins RS232 connects through USART

Separate power supplies for digital and RF sections

Logic level translation needed 3.3V to 5V logic level translation needed between

microcontroller and LCD module RS232 level converter between PC and base

Group 5: Universal ExportsPCB Layout Design Minimize size of Remote Device Digital and RF sections are kept separate to

reduce interference Separate ground pours for RF with no

components or traces placed on bottom layer Switching -15V power supply placed as far as

possible from RF section Minimize trace lengths in RF section Decoupling capacitors located as close as

possible to Vcc pins

Group 5: Universal ExportsSoftware Design Considerations PC software on the base station

Custom Menu Editor Menu Server

Base Module Embedded Software Remote Module Embedded Software

PC Software

Server Software talks to Base Module through Serial Port

Menu Editor to create and modify Menu Structure

Embedded Software

Base Software Buffer between RF module and PC

Remote Software Interrupt Driven, waits for RF signal or Button

input Decodes RF commands and implements Memory

Map for Menu Structure Drives Display and Notification LEDs

Group 5: Universal ExportsDemonstration

Group 5: Universal ExportsIndividual Contributions Ed: Leader – Component research and selection,

schematic and PCB layout, board population and hardware troubleshooting, system integration.

Dan: Component research, schematic and PCB layout, hardware troubleshooting, microcontroller development, system integration

Mike: PC software development, serial interface, protocol development, video editing, web design

Jon: PC software development

Group 5: Universal ExportsWhat we learned… Visual Basic makes designing user interfaces easy, but

managing bit level data difficult Software development lead time is much less than

hardware development It’s challenging to integrate the work of others into a

streamlined solution Do not depend too heavily on data sheet information and

reference designs (RF is voodoo) It’s much easier to work in a clean lab with necessary

equipment in stock Utilize group member’s strengths to solve problems To trouble shoot – go back to the basics and work forward Order more than you think you need (no, more than that) Everything takes longer than you’d think (Murphy’s Law)

Group 5: Universal ExportsChanges for Version 2 - Hardware Power LED on Base station Access to reset switches – pin hole access Utilize 0603 and 0402 component sizes Redesigned RF solution – single chip with printed

filters reduces component count and board size, printed antenna to reduce package size

Custom molded plastic packaging, watertight Larger onboard memory in Remote Device to store

larger menu Vibrate on alert Rechargeable battery with built-in charger Page hostess/waitress button

Group 5: Universal ExportsChanges for Version 2 - Software Added prices and descriptions for menu

items Generate order summary and total cost Variable size menu User selectable serial port for communication

with Base Station Implement games on Remote Devices Upgraded user interface for sleek

appearance and functionality Integrate software with point-of-sale

software