Dec07-02: Prototype Parking Meter Phase 8 Bret Schuring: Team Leader Pooja Ramesh: Communications Wilson Kwong, Matt Swanson, Alex Wernli

Project Overview Project description Project description Intended Users and Uses Intended Users and Uses End Product End Product Assumptions and Limitations Assumptions and Limitations Master/Slave and Slave Units Master/Slave and Slave Units Testing Testing Unit Updates and Statistics Unit Updates and Statistics Support Support Design Evaluation Design Evaluation

Project Description Currently three Pay-for-Parking lots on campus use computer based parking meters Currently three Pay-for-Parking lots on campus use computer based parking meters Meters keep information about all stalls in the lot Meters keep information about all stalls in the lot Company who manufactures/maintains current system is out of business Company who manufactures/maintains current system is out of business Fly in maintenance for old system Fly in maintenance for old system DPS requested new meters be built DPS requested new meters be built

Project Description At this time one unit has been deployed At this time one unit has been deployed Passed lab testing Passed lab testing Currently field testing Currently field testing Receiving feedback Receiving feedback Assembling slave unit in the lab Assembling slave unit in the lab Providing on-site support in case of problems Providing on-site support in case of problems Working on adding additional functionality Working on adding additional functionality Duplicating master components Duplicating master components

Intended Users and Uses Users Users First Class First Class Customers Customers Parking lot customers Parking lot customers Second Class Second Class Administrators Administrators Student DPS Employees Student DPS Employees Third Class Third Class Supervisors Supervisors Permanent DPS Employees Permanent DPS Employees Uses Uses Customers Customers Add time to stalls Add time to stalls Add money to multiple stations Add money to multiple stations Print transaction receipts Print transaction receipts Remaining time Remaining time Administrators Administrators Monitor parking lot spaces Monitor parking lot spaces Gather parking lot statistics Gather parking lot statistics Supervisors Supervisors Change parking lot parameters Change parking lot parameters Add/remove users Add/remove users

End Product Parking Meter System Parking Meter System Master/slave unit Master/slave unit 1 unit per parking lot 1 unit per parking lot Slave unit Slave unit At least 1 unit per parking lot At least 1 unit per parking lot Parking Lot: ≤ 1000 Spaces SM/S S

End Product Similar to existing meters Similar to existing meters Keypad and coin collector for input Keypad and coin collector for input LCD panel and printer for output LCD panel and printer for output

Assumptions The lot size will have no more than 1000 spaces. The lot size will have no more than 1000 spaces. AC power will be provided to the units. AC power will be provided to the units. The units will only accept nickels, dimes, and quarters as payment. The units will only accept nickels, dimes, and quarters as payment. Iowa State University Facilities Department will assist with system install Adequate finances will be available Parts list and assembly instructions provided

Limitations The system must allow for different rates, time of day, holidays rates. The system must allow for different rates, time of day, holidays rates. The units must allow users to add time to their current amount of time. The units must allow users to add time to their current amount of time. The hardware unit must provide the current payment status of the parking lot. The hardware unit must provide the current payment status of the parking lot. The servers unit must consist of two redundant processors with automatic failure protection. The servers unit must consist of two redundant processors with automatic failure protection. The user interface needs to be compact and easy to use. The hardware unit must print a receipt upon request. The server unit must have redundant storage The unit must be able to run for at least four hours if power goes out

Limitations DPS must be able to change rates and holidays without outside assistance. DPS must be able to change rates and holidays without outside assistance. The system must implement all the features of the current system. The system must implement all the features of the current system. The unit must withstand Iowa weather conditions. The unit must withstand Iowa weather conditions. The unit must be theft proof. The unit must be theft proof. Laptop must be able to support the same software system as the unit. Laptop must be able to support the same software system as the unit. The parts list for the subsequent units must consist of parts which are low-cost, interchangeable, backwards-compatible with the current prototype, and readily available Laptop system must be able to use Ethernet connection for updating the unit.

Master/slave unit Two component unit Two component unit Consists of a master and a slave component Consists of a master and a slave component Master component hosts the parking lot database Master component hosts the parking lot database Slave component handles user input/output Slave component handles user input/output Supports user interface peripherals: Supports user interface peripherals: Coin acceptor Coin acceptor Printer Printer Keypad Keypad LCD screen LCD screen

Master/slave unit

Slave Unit Single component unit Single component unit One slave component that handles user input/output One slave component that handles user input/output Supports user interface peripherals: Supports user interface peripherals: Coin acceptor Coin acceptor Printer Printer Updated keypad and encoder Updated keypad and encoder LCD screen LCD screen The second slave unit will perform identically to the primary unit in hardware and software functionality, and user (customer/DPS Employee/supervisor) interfaces The second slave unit will perform identically to the primary unit in hardware and software functionality, and user (customer/DPS Employee/supervisor) interfaces The slave unit will retrieve information and act as the interface from which parking time is purchased The slave unit will retrieve information and act as the interface from which parking time is purchased

Slave Unit

Master component Dual computers Dual computers Two computers provide database redundancy Two computers provide database redundancy Prevents data loss if one master computer fails Prevents data loss if one master computer fails Operating System Operating System Field unit: Debian Linux 3.0 Field unit: Debian Linux 3.0 Test unit: Windows XP Embedded Test unit: Windows XP Embedded Database: MySQL 5.0 Database: MySQL 5.0

Master component

Slave component Single computer component Single computer component Runs software that communicates with the user interface peripherals Runs software that communicates with the user interface peripherals Responsible for handling all user interaction Responsible for handling all user interaction Operating System: Windows XP Embedded Operating System: Windows XP Embedded

Slave component

Testing Approach Software testing Software testing  Started by previous phases  Fully tested functionality before deploying field unit Hardware testing Hardware testing  Individual components tested by previous phases, i.e. coin acceptor Field testing Field testing  Unit functions will be tested in lot per set of defined cases Simulation system testing Simulation system testing  Test with same defined cases as unit Software update system Software update system  Test unit functions after update by verifying with simulated results

What About Software Updates? Currently, updated software would be difficult to upload to the system. Currently, updated software would be difficult to upload to the system. A monitor and keyboard would have to be taken to each unit. This is simply not practical. A monitor and keyboard would have to be taken to each unit. This is simply not practical. Ideally, the new software should be able to be uploaded quickly and easily. Ideally, the new software should be able to be uploaded quickly and easily.

What About Software Updates? Software updates are performed via a remote desktop connection. Software updates are performed via a remote desktop connection. A laptop can connect to the parking meter with an Ethernet connection. A laptop can connect to the parking meter with an Ethernet connection. The connection is secure since it requires internal access to the parking meter. The connection is secure since it requires internal access to the parking meter.

Gathering Statistics DPS would like information about the parking stalls including: DPS would like information about the parking stalls including: Usage statistics for individual stalls. Usage statistics for individual stalls. Recent transactions. Recent transactions. This information should be easily accessible. This information should be easily accessible.

Solution The database can be downloaded to a laptop computer. The database can be downloaded to a laptop computer. A graphical user interface will be developed that can perform a variety of queries on the parking meter database. A graphical user interface will be developed that can perform a variety of queries on the parking meter database.

System Support Process Phone questions to support team Phone questions to support team questions to support team questions to support team Set up standard support system Set up standard support system  Create support account checked regularly in rotating shifts  Standard requests forms to be communicated through  On staff support team member to address problem and contact other support team members

Design Evaluation Functionality Relative Importance Evaluation Score Resultant Score Test system functionality15%90%13.5 Hardware Updates20%85%17 Install Master/slave unit30%100%30 Assisted with unit update interface5%100%5 Update software functionality documentation20%90%18 Created XPe image for master10%85%8.5 Total100% 92%

Questions?