Android ADK based app for offer making based on location and activity reporting John Waters
Project Overview With the convergence of social networks and mobile devices, a wealth of new application areas has emerged. Services like Foursquare allow users to virtually check-in at a particular location and get money off offers from companies like Starbucks based on them checking in at various venues. This project aims to construct a system that combines mass movements of people, as observed through an Arduino-powered Open Hardware Platform (as supported by Google’s Android system) and an application running on an Android phone whereby a user (or multiple users) can report on their activity (e.g. in a lecture, not in a lecture) to their social network of choice. Location is automatically attached to these user reports via the Network Provider, Wi-Fi or possibly GPS.
Why Android? Around 3.7m devices using Google's Android operating software were switched on for the first time on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alone
Why Android? Apps developed in java Open Platform & Open Source Well Documented / Supported online
Entire System User app Business Device / app Server / Database (connected via Internet)
System Diagram User Device Business Device Server/Database
Work To Date Usable user app Development of ADK hardware and app Beginnings of Server / Database
Android User App Ability to receive and send tweets Re-login not required Location tracking including attachment of location to tweets Ability to detect proximity to specific business locations Basic user notification on offer received
App GUI
Future App Development Add link to server Introduce more advanced features associated with Twitter Develop the GUI further increasing user friendliness
Android ADK (Arduino Mega) MicrocontrollerATmega2560 Operating Voltage5V Input Voltage (recommended)9V Input Voltage (limits)7-18V Digital I/O Pins54 (of which 14 provide PWM output) Analog Input Pins16 DC Current per I/O Pin40 mA DC Current for 3.3V Pin50 mA Flash Memory256 KB of which 8 KB used by bootloader SRAM8 KB EEPROM4 KB Clock Speed16 MHz
Android ADK (Arduino Mega)
Working communication link between android device (HTC Desire) and ADK Android device app under development Display hardware under development
Further ADK Development Create a usable product Add server communication to device app Increase user friendliness Possibly add non-smartphone access via SMS etc.
Server / Database Allow user apps to upload the location data anonymously Allow Business device to download appropriate data Sort the data e.g. calculate the number of people at specific locations – track their movement
Server / Database Server type: ASP.NET Receives the data (location) from the user apps Receives the offers from the Businesses Sends specific data to the Businesses Database: MySQL Stores the user data collected from the twitter app (location) Stores the offers available from the businesses
Future of the System Completion of each segment and link up of entire system Undergo rigorous testing Possible trial with on campus outlet
Pre-Demo Questions?