1. Client: Dept. of EE/CprE (Vicky Thorland-Oster) Advisors: Jason Boyd Manimaran Govindarasu Team Members: Derek Bond (EE) Matthew Schulz (EE) Si-myung Yang (CprE)

2.  Problem Statement:  The EE/CprE Dept. Science Center has a group of exhibits but no way to conduct an organized tour.  Concept Description:  Make the room more automated in such a way to take the burden off the tour guide.  The projects aim to attract perspective students, alumni, company representatives, and outreach participants.  A presentation will explain what our department is about and show a demonstration.

4.  Consists of 3 exhibits  Alternative Energy  Wind & Solar  Sequence Programming  Speedometer  Electromagnetism

6.  Description:  Phidget RFID card reader  22 inch HP Touchsmart PC with Labview touchscreen interface  46 inch Samsung video monitor  Each exhibit has a manual interface

7.  Functional  Videos shall be played on the big screen when their corresponding button on the touch screen is pushed.  Each project shall be highlighted by the exhibit lighting.  The layout of the room shall allow a maximum of 30 people.  The program shall be robust and handle various situations.  Science Center tour is to be under 10 minutes.  Tour will start when an RFID card is detected.  Non-functional  The projects shall include instructions that are understandable to the common user.  The sound shall be sent out to surround sound speakers placed throughout the room.  The presentation shall be displayed on a large screen monitor.  Lights shall be bright enough to get the tour group’s attention.

8.  We designed our project to look and feel like a Science center environment similar to current Science Centers such as the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines.  To the best of our knowledge, there is no facility similar to our Science Center in any other University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department.

9.  We will provide a clear, concise set of design and technical documents for future operators to ensure sustainability and continued utilization by May 2010.  Each exhibit shall include a set of instructions to allow effective and safe user interaction.  Each exhibit shall include an educational briefing, such as a poster or a short film, to explain underlying concepts to users.

10.  Previous project integration: Matt and Derek  Labview programming: Matt and Simon  Lighting system design: Derek  Documentation: Matt, Derek, and Simon  Testing: Matt and Simon

11.  We need a room to set up as a Science Center. This is currently in Coover 1212.  For the main program, we will need a computer to run everything from, as well as a touch screen, speakers, RFID reader and tags to initiate the presentation sequence.  Light fixtures, wires, controllers, and other devices will be needed in the design of the room for aesthetic reasons and to help catch the audience’s eye.

12. Risk01 : Unknown budget at the beginning of the project. Solution01 : We looked at options in various price ranges. Risk02 : Projects may become damaged. Solution02 : We will provide schematics of the current projects so they can be fixed. Risk03 : Theft of a high value item. Solution03 : Everything will be secured using security cables. A security camera is also present in the room.

13.  The program will take the burden off the tour guide.  An automated tour starts when the RFID card is swiped.  The program will allow additional exhibits to be added easily.  Documentation is provided on how to add projects.  The presentation shall be under 10 minutes.  the current presentation has a 3 min intro, and around 1.5 min demo of each project. Total time is around 7 min.

15.  Hardware  X10 light devices  Track and spot lighting (50W bulbs)  HP TouchSmart Desktop Computer(touch screen)  RFID reader (1023 – PhidgetRFID)  RFID tag  Software  Labview 2009  VLC player  Java (used in current exhibit)

16.  Labview (Main program)  RFID Reader & Tag(s)  Light Control System  Occupancy Sensor  X-10 Devices  Surround Sound System  Touch Screen

17.  Labview is used to control the operation of the room and communicate between computers  Inputs  RFID Reader  Project Data  User  Outputs  Video  Lighting

18.  We integrated the Labview vi from Phidget into our main program.  Takes tag data and looks up corresponding name in an excel file.

19.  Designed a labview vi that sends X10 serial commands to the serial port.  Set each dimmer to a different address so we could control them all separately  Used an Occupancy Sensor to turn on and off lights X10 control deviceOccupancy SensorLamplinc Dimmer

20. Electricity cable RJ11 cable connection RS232 serial cable connection Plug into outlet X10 signal sent through electricity cable Command through serial port Plug into outlet

21.  Purpose  To provide audio for the Science Center’s audience from videos and future exhibits  Current set-up: 2.1 surround  Future: 5.1 or better

22.  Purpose  To act as the interactive input device for the user.  Gives more of a Science Center feel.  Previous Design: Elo TouchSystems  Implemented: HP TouchSmart

23.  Black Box Testing  Tested each component separately  Tested the system using various scenarios  Use Cases (Possible Scenarios )  Registered tour group  Unregistered user  Multiple users  Someone in room when tour comes  Let visitors during VEISHEA test the system

24. Black box testing We simulated various scenarios looking for errors Problem: VLC player would freeze when it is supposed to be closed. Solution: The reason for the error was that VLC player tried to play another video while playing one. To solve it, we made the main system send the acknowledgement signal to touchscreen computer when video is finished. Problem: After the tour mode, the system would shut down. Solution: Inserted the function which calls screen1 after tour is finished. Problem: Labview would cascade the windows when switching between menus. Solution: We changed the run-time position from maximized to custom setting. VEISHEA visitor testing Over 130 visitors tested the system during VEISHEA with no complications

25.  The room is designed to allow for the addition and removal of exhibits with ease.  Documentation is included walking through the steps required to make changes.  Touch Screen has multi-touch capabilities for the use in future exhibits.

26. Conclusion  Overall, we feel that we were successful in completing and overcoming the difficulties presented to us in our project. Lessons Learned  Do not discount losing a member.  Spend more time in the first semester doing research and design.  Do not assume previous projects are functioning properly and have adequate documentation.