1. Advisor: Dr. Edwin Jones 1 Client: Paul Jewell ISU Engineering Distance Learning Facility May01-13 Design Team: David DouglasCprE Matt EngelbartEE Hank HuangEE Bill OgierCprE http://seniord.ee.iastate.edu/may0113 January 25, 2001

2. Agenda Problem Statement & Background Design Objectives End-Product Description Assumptions & Limitations Milestones Technical Approach Personnel & Financial Budgets Problems Encountered & Lessons Learned Conclusion & Questions

3. Problem Statement & Background The Multiple VCR Control Unit will be designed to allow banks of VCRs to be controlled simultaneously from a single control computer via infrared LEDs This solution will consist of a graphical software package, which interfaces with a hardware device This implementation will save a considerable amount of time for facilities that operate multiple VCRs

4. Design Objectives Deliverables User Interface – A software remote control with basic VCR functionality VCR Control Unit – A device that will send signals to all of the LEDs after receiving commands from the User Interface. It will also be able to “learn” commands of new VCRs.

5. Design Objectives Functionality Ability to learn commands when new VCRs are purchased The ability to group different VCRs into VCR banks Expandable for new VCRs Perform the six basic VCR functions Control anywhere from one to sixty-four VCRs at once Control VCRs in different rooms Easy to use for someone with little technical knowledge Robust design to minimize the need for maintenance

6. Design Objectives Constraints Behave similar to hand-held remote Must fit into standard 19 inch rack mounted box Risks of Windows 9x environment Used by Distance Education Lab Staff to perform everyday tasks with VCRs Signal loss due to length of wire between control box and LEDs Communication with the PC is based around the parallel port capabilities

7. End-Product Description

9. Assumptions & Limitations Assumptions All VCRs must be in proper working condition Standard VCR commands will be implemented: Stop, Play, Record, Fast Forward, Rewind, Pause The user is computer literate and can operate software and hardware with minimal difficulty Engineering Distance Learning Facility will have adequate funds to acquire necessary items to implement the project

10. Assumptions & Limitations Limitations The system will be expandable only to sixty-four VCRs per Control Unit The Control Unit will not be able to receive any feedback from the VCRs that it will control, forcing the user to insure the VCR is ready to function as desired Access to the distance learning facilities Familiarity of Visual C++ is limited among group members The group has little knowledge of VCR remote protocols

11. Milestones Operating a VCR straight from remote control through the signal recorder to the IR LED Talking between the computer and control box to establish a reliable connection Controlling a single VCR via the control unit Maintaining adequate power levels to multiple IR LEDs Controlling multiple VCRs at once Successful testing of the final product

12. Technical Approach Selection Criterion Fulfillment of functional requirements Difficulty of implementation Speed of the system in operation Difficulty of operation by the user Expandability of adding new VCRs Cost of the system and development Simplicity in the design Creativity in the design

13. Technical Approach Approaches Considered – Software Platform ANSI C++ as the software platform Visual Basic as the software platform Visual C++ as the software platform Decision – Visual C++

14. Technical Approach Approaches Considered – Communications Serial Port communication from PC to control box Parallel Port communication from PC to control box Decision – Parallel Port Communication

15. Technical Approach Approaches Considered – Control Unit PCIR Infrared© Control System based Control Unit Microprocessor based Control Unit Microprocessor and logic gate based Control Unit Computer controlled “simple” Control Unit Decision – Computer controlled “simple” Control Unit

16. Personnel & Financial Budgets Estimated Personnel Budget:700 Hours Estimated Financial Budget:$400 Revised Financial Budget Parts$100 Casing$30 Shipping & Handling$30 Poster$100 TOTAL$260

17. Personnel & Financial Budgets Time Spent To-Date - 249 Hours

18. Problems Encountered & Lessons Learned Team members unavailable due to interviewing Not all team members are available at meeting times Difficulty in finding certain components Starting late and working from deadline to deadline Lots of time needed to get familiar with necessary software (i.e. Project, Visual Studio) Hard to incorporate individual work into one large group report TIME, TIME, TIME!

19. Conclusion & Questions Project should be easy enough to implement, inexpensive, and would not require more time than a semester to build The design will use conventional off-the-shelf components, making them easy to find and reducing the time to obtain them Overall, the project appears to be possible, practical, and economical It is recommended to complete the project as designed

20. Conclusion & Questions