Group 5: Universal Exports Group Members (left to right): Dan Sparks, Edward Sheriff, Mike Klockow, and Jon Hopp

Group 5: Universal Exports Project 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 Exports Overview 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 Exports Block Diagram Part 1: Base

Group 5: Universal Exports Block Diagram Part 2: Remote Unit

Group 5: Universal Exports Design 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 Exports Patent 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 Exports Reliability 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 Exports Ethical 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 Exports Ethical 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 Exports Packaging 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 Exports Packaging Design Considerations Guest Paging Systems Small size and weight UHF MHz at 2 watts of power Vibrates along with flashing LEDs

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

Group 5: Universal Exports Packaging Design Considerations Materials 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 Exports Schematic 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 Exports PCB 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 Exports Software 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 Exports Demonstration

Group 5: Universal Exports Individual 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 Exports What 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 Exports Changes 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 Exports Changes 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