A growing problem with university classrooms is the inability to effectively and efficiently record classroom attendance. The solution to this problem is a simple, reliable, stand-alone microcontroller-based system to efficiently record and process student attendance. A device that can uniquely identify and recognize many students will ensure that each student is present for the entire class period. This project will revolutionize attendance taking which, in many teachers’ eyes, is a long standing problem in many classrooms around the nation. Abstract Kevin Broulette - CPRE Wade Feickert - CPRE Dec03-01 Team Members Faculty Advisors - Client Dr. John Lamont Prof. Ralph Paterson III Josh Hobart – CPRE John Seeman - CPRE Introduction End Product Resources Project Requirements Approach and Considerations Summary Download data to Microsoft Excel Student registration Stand-alone – not be used with a PC Testing Product documentation Signature Recognition Facial Recognition Magnetic Stripe Reader Fingerprint Recognition Proximity Card Proposed Approach Research and select a suitable technology to capture a student’s identification Design software to interface the device with a PC Begin product testing A long-standing problem with university classrooms is the inability to effectively and efficiently record classroom attendance. The solution to this problem involves selecting a suitable technology, designing software to interface the device with the PC, and testing the system. Ultimately, this problem can be solved with a simple, reliable, stand-alone microprocessor based system to efficiently record and process student attendance. Cost Security Process Device Storage Temp. Time Size Capability Change 1= Least efficient 5 = Most efficient Testing Considerations Device is able to store and record student information Attendance information is properly formatted to be opened in Excel Full system testing by use of a simulated classroom Technology Considerations Different technologies are available for student identification: General Problem Take attendance accurately and efficiently in a large classroom Attendance information needs to be easily accessed by the professor Proposed Solution A portable, stand-alone microcontroller-based attendance taking system Ability to download data to a computer for use with Microsoft Excel Operating Environment Device may be dropped or knocked around Device must withstand change from room temperature to external temperature Device may become dirty after multiple uses Intended Users and Uses Professors who teach in large scale classrooms and their students Used to ensure students don’t falsify their attendance Assumptions Students will be registered into system Computer that the data will be loaded onto has Microsoft Excel Internal power supply in case power outlet is not available Displays whether or not identification was successful Limitations Size of class will be limited by amount of memory available in device Weight of less than 10 pounds and volume of less than 1 cubic foot Device A simple, reliable, stand-alone microcontroller-based system that will record a student’s attendance at the beginning and end of class. This information will then be easily downloaded to a professor’s computer using Microsoft Excel. Software Software will create a simple download process for the professor. This software, which will be on the professor’s PC, will format the data from the device and display this correctly formatted data in Microsoft Excel. Design Objectives Must be portable and stand-alone Ability to store attendance of 2-3 large classes (300 students/class) Attendance data easily downloaded and opened in Microsoft Excel Functional Requirements Identification of a student Time stamping of identification Storage of students identified Constraints Unit must be small and lightweight Internally powered Milestones Selection of identification technology Design Implementation