Communication Device for Handicapped Kids Dec Client Heartland Area Agency Sue Young Advisor Yao Ma Advisor Yao Ma Alex Leith Brian Grove Steve Peters Dec 6, 2005

Presentation Outline Introductory Material Introductory Material Definitions Definitions Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Problem Statement Problem Statement Operating Environment Operating Environment Intended Users and Uses Intended Users and Uses Assumptions Assumptions Limitations Limitations End Product and Other Deliverables End Product and Other Deliverables Design Approach Design Approach Present Accomplishments Present Accomplishments Approaches Considered Approaches Considered Project definition Activities Project definition Activities Design Approach (cont.) Design Approach (cont.) Research Activities Research Activities Design Activities Design Activities Implementation Approach Implementation Approach Implementation Activities Implementation Activities Testing results and Modifications Testing results and Modifications Resources and Schedules Resources and Schedules Closing Material Closing Material Future work recommendations Future work recommendations Lessons Learned and risk management Lessons Learned and risk management Project Evaluation Project Evaluation Commercialization Commercialization Closing Summary Closing Summary

List of Definitions Amplifiers – This device will increase the volume of the message going to the speaker Amplifiers – This device will increase the volume of the message going to the speaker Analog signal – Analog is a continuous signal with no breaks in the waveform Analog signal – Analog is a continuous signal with no breaks in the waveform Digital signal – Digital is an analog signal that is sampled at different times so the signal is broken up into discrete samples Digital signal – Digital is an analog signal that is sampled at different times so the signal is broken up into discrete samples D/A converter – Converts the digital output from the microcontroller to an analog output D/A converter – Converts the digital output from the microcontroller to an analog output Filters – Filters will only allow the desired frequency to pass. Filters – Filters will only allow the desired frequency to pass.

Definitions (cont.) LED’s – Light Emitting Diodes that light up when voltage is applied across them LED’s – Light Emitting Diodes that light up when voltage is applied across them Level – Set of eight different recorded phrases Level – Set of eight different recorded phrases Memory – Refers to how long a message can be stored into the microcontroller Memory – Refers to how long a message can be stored into the microcontroller Microcontroller – A device that acts as the brain behind the end product Microcontroller – A device that acts as the brain behind the end product PWM – Pulse Width Modulation – Modulating an analog signal into a series of pulses. The frequency and amplitude of the pulses is constant. The width of the pulses is determined by the amplitude of the input signal. PWM – Pulse Width Modulation – Modulating an analog signal into a series of pulses. The frequency and amplitude of the pulses is constant. The width of the pulses is determined by the amplitude of the input signal.

Acknowledgements Faculty Advisor: Dr. Yao Ma for advice and ability to keep us on task. Atmel for free components. Jesse Macht for the donated case Square D for the switches

Problem Statement Currently, disabled children have trouble communicating with caretakers about basic needs. This project will create a device to aid these children in communicating. We will develop a recording play-back system to aid these children in communicating with their care-giver

Operating Environment The environment will be the home / school of a handicapped child. The environment will be the home / school of a handicapped child. The device will be subjected to physical stress (ie. being dropped) and must also be water resistant. The device will be subjected to physical stress (ie. being dropped) and must also be water resistant.

Intended Users and Uses The intended users are handicapped children and their care-givers The intended users are handicapped children and their care-givers There are differing levels of disabilities, so there are multiple input methods for the handicapped children There are differing levels of disabilities, so there are multiple input methods for the handicapped children Caretakers will record custom words or phrases for later playback Caretakers will record custom words or phrases for later playback

Assumptions It will only be used by one kid at a time It will only be used by one kid at a time The child will be able to physically use the device The child will be able to physically use the device The caretaker will have a computer to print the different pictures used when they reprogram the device The caretaker will have a computer to print the different pictures used when they reprogram the device The child can distinguish between the pictures The child can distinguish between the pictures The end product will be used in a learning environment The end product will be used in a learning environment The product will operate on batteries The product will operate on batteries The end product will be programmable and will play back messages The end product will be programmable and will play back messages

Limitations The size is no bigger than 6” x 10” x 2” The size is no bigger than 6” x 10” x 2” The weight is no heavier than 5 lbs The weight is no heavier than 5 lbs Battery power must last for at least 16 hours Battery power must last for at least 16 hours Must be able to record messages for child to playback Must be able to record messages for child to playback Each message will have a record time limit from one to five seconds Each message will have a record time limit from one to five seconds The cost of the product will not be more than $150 The cost of the product will not be more than $150 Tests of the prototype will only be based on ease of setup and use Tests of the prototype will only be based on ease of setup and use The product must withstand being dropped The product must withstand being dropped

Communication Device

End Product and Other Deliverables The end product will be a device that will have eight buttons that can hold recorded messages The end product will be a device that will have eight buttons that can hold recorded messages There will be two switches one to control the levels and one to control the speed of the LED'S There will be two switches one to control the levels and one to control the speed of the LED'S Other deliverables include a program to create images on and single button accessory Other deliverables include a program to create images on and single button accessory A single button will be plugged into the product when the child has limited range of motion and can not control the eight buttons A single button will be plugged into the product when the child has limited range of motion and can not control the eight buttons LED’s will light up a specific button for a small period of time and then move to the next button. When the child recognizes the lit up button as the one they want, they press the single button and it will playback the message LED’s will light up a specific button for a small period of time and then move to the next button. When the child recognizes the lit up button as the one they want, they press the single button and it will playback the message

Present Accomplishments Documents Documents Component Selection Component Selection Device Design Device Design Software Software Hardware Hardware Hardware Testing Hardware Testing Microphone circuit Microphone circuit Speaker circuit Speaker circuit Image Software Image Software PCB PCB

Research Activities Similar Device Functions Similar Device Functions Microcontroller Microcontroller Memory Memory Buttons and Switches Buttons and Switches PCB PCB Software Compiler Software Compiler Programmer Programmer Emulator Emulator

Approaches Considered Microcontrollers Microcontrollers Memory Memory External External Internal Internal ADC ADC Buttons Buttons Push or Sensor Push or Sensor Weight Weight Size Size Cost Cost Programming Language Programming Language Asm Asm C

Project Definition activities Met with the Client Met with the Client Developed a general idea for device Developed a general idea for device Researched components for device Researched components for device Developed requirements and functions Developed requirements and functions Finalized the scope of the project Finalized the scope of the project

Design Activities Electrical power – Rechargeable batteries for the device will be used Electrical power – Rechargeable batteries for the device will be used Size – The device must be portable Size – The device must be portable Weight – The device must be light enough to be transported from place to place by a small child. Weight – The device must be light enough to be transported from place to place by a small child. Intended usage – One child at a time will be able to physically use the device. Intended usage – One child at a time will be able to physically use the device. Software – The caretaker will have a computer to design and print the desired pictures used for the different programmed messages. The child will then be able to distinguish between the pictures. Software – The caretaker will have a computer to design and print the desired pictures used for the different programmed messages. The child will then be able to distinguish between the pictures.

Design Activities (cont.) Programmable messages – Must be able to be recorded and played back easily. Programmable messages – Must be able to be recorded and played back easily. Cost – Must not exceed $ Cost – Must not exceed $ Time frame – The project will be completed by Dec Time frame – The project will be completed by Dec Evaluation of device – Prototype will be tested on ease of setup and use. Evaluation of device – Prototype will be tested on ease of setup and use.

Main Software Flowchart Essentially, the system will loop until a button is pressed, then a sound is recorded or played back

Read / Write Flowcharts Algorithms were developed by Atmel and then adapted to suit our needs

Implementation Activities Implementation Implementation Microphone Circuit Microphone Circuit Speaker Circuit Speaker Circuit PCB PCB Microcontroller Software Microcontroller Software Testing Testing PSpice PSpice Used Sinusoid Used Sinusoid Listened to output Listened to output PCB and Software PCB and Software Changes made to design Changes made to design Filter Design for Speaker Circuit Filter Design for Speaker Circuit Unity gains Unity gains Inverter array on the button outputs Inverter array on the button outputs

Testing Results and Modifications Testing Results Testing Results Original Design was too quiet Original Design was too quiet The power was too low to drive the Speaker The power was too low to drive the Speaker Microcontroller was unable to communicate with flash memory Microcontroller was unable to communicate with flash memory Modifications Modifications Added another filter to increase the gain in the speaker circuit Added another filter to increase the gain in the speaker circuit Used unity gain amplifiers to increase the current to speaker Used unity gain amplifiers to increase the current to speaker Inverter array was added to the button outputs to make them work with the encoder Inverter array was added to the button outputs to make them work with the encoder

Totals Alex Leith Brian Grove Steve Peters TotalTask 5Task 4Task 3Task 2Task1Personal Name Resources Task 1 – Problem Definition Task 2 – Identify Technology and Selection Task 3 – Design Task 4 – Prototype Implementation and Testing Task 5 – Demonstration Personal Efforts

Resources Con’t $ $141.85Total $ Subtotal $ Alex Leith $ Brian Grove $ Steve Peters Labor at $10.50 per Hour: $46.15 Subtotal $10.00 Print Poster $3.15 Packaging $33.00 Printed Circuit Board Services: $95.70 Subtotal $0.00 Poster $0.00 Batteries $90.00 Electronic Components $5.70 Microcontroller Parts and Materials: With LaborW/O Labor Item Financial Resources

1 st Semester Schedule

2 nd Semester Schedule

Future Work Recommendations Battery charging circuit Battery charging circuit LCD touch screen LCD touch screen Wireless connection Wireless connection Microcontroller to memory communication Microcontroller to memory communication Speed control Speed control Reliability of physical connections Reliability of physical connections

Lessons Learned and Risk Management Backup your data often into a source repository Backup your data often into a source repository Order PDIP for prototype testing Order PDIP for prototype testing Make sure you fully research software and components before working to avoid duplication of work by others Make sure you fully research software and components before working to avoid duplication of work by others Loss of team member Loss of team member Order parts as soon as possible Order parts as soon as possible

Project Evaluation Would have been easier if we had a full team Would have been easier if we had a full team Peripheral components and features work except for the memory Peripheral components and features work except for the memory Below budget of $150 Below budget of $150

Commercialization The purpose of creating the communication device is for use by Heartland Area Education Agency and at this time there are no plans of commercialization.

Closing Summary Thanks to everyone who gave their support. Thanks to everyone who gave their support. We hope that we have laid the ground work for a device to make life easier for handicapped children. We hope that we have laid the ground work for a device to make life easier for handicapped children.