1. Garage Parking Indicator Iowa State University Senior Design Dec 06-09 Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gary Tuttle Client: Senior Design Lars Kulseng (CprE) Kevin Finck (EE) Richard Seals (CprE) 12/05/2006

2. Outline Problem Description Intended Users and Uses Assumptions and Limitations Technical Design Resources and Schedule Project Evaluation Summary

3. Problem Statement The goal is to provide a system to assist a person in parking a vehicle in a garage in two dimensions. This will be accomplished by having a device, utilizing a laser pointer, assist the driver of the vehicle to the correct position in the garage.

4. Definitions GPI – Garage Parking Indicator LED – Light Emitting Diode AC – An electric current that reverses direction in a circuit at regular intervals. (Alternating Current) DC – An electric current flowing in one direction only. (Direct Current) Power Adaptor – Converts AC voltage to DC voltage Laser - A device that produces a very narrow, highly concentrated beam of light.

5. Operating Environment To be used indoors or other controlled environments. Reasonable tolerance to seasonal temperature and humidity changes.

6. Intended Users and Uses Any individual who requires assistance in parking their vehicle in a garage. Provide a visual guide to the driver to help them park their vehicle.

7. The garage has a door and an electric door opener. There is a suitable mounting place for the device in the garage. The same vehicle will be parked in the same position every time. The garage door opener includes a standard incandescent light bulb which comes on when the door opener is activated. The unit has an unobstructed “line of sight” to the vehicle. Vehicle is parked forward into the garage. Assumptions

8. One device will provide guidance for two parking stalls Installation should be easy, using simple hand tools The system should turn on and off automatically Designed for household power (120V AC) Nothing is to be mounted on the sidewalls or floor of the garage Device must retail for less than $40. Limitations

9. End Product and Other Deliverables Functional prototype User manual

10. Present Accomplishments Research100% Design100% Purchase parts100% Assembly of prototype 100% Write user manual100% Testing100%

11. Approaches Considered Ultra sonic sensors Laser distance measurement Laser tripwires Laser pointer as a visual guide Sound detection for on and off control Vibration sensor for on and off control Light detection for on and off control Utilize garage door opener as power source Timing circuit for switching

12. Approach Used Laser pointer as visual guide Use garage door opener to power on and off device.

13. Project Definition Activities Met with client to determine the scope and requirements, gather limitations, as well as determine an overall definition of the project.

14. Research Activities Existing products Laser vs. LED Sensor devices Timing circuit Laser safety

15. Design Activities The design for this project includes a laser pointer unit, a power supply unit and a targeting pad.

16. Laser Pointer Unit The GPI will be a single unit that is installed on the ceiling or back wall of the garage Two lasers mounted on the outside of the unit will be pointed in a user defined direction Class 3A lasers will be used

17. Power Supply Unit Device is powered using the automatic lighting of a garage door opener.

18. Targeting Pad A target pad will be placed on the dashboard of the vehicle to help the driver to determine if he or she is in the right position The square in the middle will serve as the target for the laser beam When the laser is within the square, the driver is within +/- 1 inch of the initial calibration point The extensions on either side of the target pad will provide the driver guidance on how far the car is to the left or to the right.

19. Technical Design Installation/Mounting Option 1 Option 2

20. Implementation Activities Disassemble laser pointer units (2) without damage Remove components from circuit board Solder external power source wires to circuit board

21. Laser pointer housing attached to #6 solid copper wire using epoxy/hardener compound (3 surface coatings) Laser pointer unit constructed of plastic project box modified for installation of laser pointer mounting wires, on/off power switches and power jack Mounting screw holes drilled on sides of the box

22. Laser pointer units are attached to plastic box using ¼ inch bolts and flat washers Laser power leads (-Voltage) attached to power toggle switches via 100 ohm resistors Toggle switches common (-Voltage) and leads (+Voltage) are connected to 2.5 mm barrel power jack on side of box Mounting screw holes reinforced with epoxy and washers

23. Light bulb socket adaptor provides access to switched 120 Volt AC power source from garage door opener 120 volt extension cable (14 inches) constructed from standard household extension cord Power adaptor provides 9 volt DC power to laser pointer unit 9 volt DC power source extension cable (18 Feet) constructed for back wall installation of laser pointer unit

24. Side view of garage

25. Laser turns on automatically

26. Car is in correct position when laser hits target

27. The device will switch off automatically

28. Testing Activities An End-Product, End-User test was completed in a typical residential garage to determine usability of the GPI unit and the user manual. The testing was a success and some of the comments made by the users were used to improve the users manual.

29. Resources ItemsCost W/O LaborCost With Labor Printing Documentation$10.00 Lasers$16.64 Casing$3.15 Power Converters$5.45 Other$8.71 Subtotal $43.95 Hours Labor at $15.00 per hour Kulseng, Lars123$0$1,845 Finck, Kevin166$0$2,490 Wiltse, Daniel75$0$1,125 Seals, Richard92$0$1,380 Subtotal$0$6,840 Total456$43.95$6,883.95

30. Project Schedule

31. Project Evaluation NumberMilestoneOverall Importance Success 1Problem DefinitionHigh Fully Met 2ResearchHigh Fully Met 3Technology Considerations and SelectionMedium Fully Met 4End-Product DesignHigh Fully Met 5End-Product ImplementationHigh Fully Met 6End-Product User ManualMedium Fully Met 7End-Product TestingMedium Fully Met 8End-Product DemonstrationMedium Fully Met 9Project ReportingMedium Fully Met

32. Commercialization This product would allow for very low-cost production. The street price of the product could also be low compared to competitors in this market because of the low cost to produce the GPI.

33. Recommendations for Additional Work Commercialization of the product could be considered.

34. Lessons Learned What went well –Team interaction –Creative process –Development of low-tech, low-cost product What did not go well –Team scheduling –Finalizing Approach

35. Risks and Risk Management Loss of a team member(s) –Redistribute work load to other members –Central location for document storage Late arrival of parts or equipment –Order in advance –Have alternatives Equipment damage –Have backup equipment

36. Summary The garage parking indicator provides a low-cost, easy to install solution to allow persons who have difficulties parking a vehicle, to park a vehicle safely in their garage.

37. QUESTIONS?