The Prototype
What it is...
The Automated Item Reminder (AIR) is an electronic device design to help to the elderly and those with memory problems maintain and independent lifestyle. The prototype design achieves this goal by reminding the user of items they will need during the day based on certain factors. The prototype has been designed has a wall-mounted unit that will be installed in the user's home, relatively close to their front door. This includes a motion sensor and an outside temperature sensor which are connected to the wall-mounted unit. However, flexibility in the design also means that it can be mounted in a photo frame on a table, for instance.
The AIR control panel has been designed for the elderly who may or may not suffer from eyesight impairment.
With this issue inconsideration the control panel was designed to be visual appealing by incorporating large buttons with appropriate labelling and a clear layout which seems intuitive without being cluttered.
How does it work?
The user activates the AIR by triggering the motion sensor. The user then enters into the control panel their destination or task (Activity). The AIR computes which items the user requires and displays them on the control panel via light emitting diodes. As the user fetches each item, they press the applicable button on the control panel. When each item has been collected, the user would leave the home like normal, however the control panel will beep if the user leaves their home without fetching all the items, this can be overridden . The outside temperature is displayed on the control panel to assist the user in selecting appropriate clothing for their activity.
How has the prototype design changed?
Our original prototype design has changed significantly to what S.A.S now plans to build. There have been a number of potential ideas in the original design that have been removed because of budgetary constraints, technological understanding and experience. RF ID tags were going to be attached to each item and a high powered transmitter/receiver would be used to identify each item and display the relevant information on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The AIR would beep if it had not detected all the associated items related to the selected activity. The implementation of the IR ID tags along with the transmitter/receiver and LCD would have involved a lot of coding and the use of costly software and other components (e.g. Microprocessor) to function properly which we had little knowledge of and would have put use way over budget. The use of an LCD as a display menu had its issues as most had rather small displays which meant they could be hard for the elderly to read. Larger display LCD's were researched, though these were determined to be too expensive to be practical. Also the idea to use voice prompts to indicate which items the user needed instead of
Our current design circuit now incorporates a number of components that will used to implement the AIR's functions. Positive edge triggered D Flip Flops have been chosen to provide control over each item LED and their associated activity.
Index of Controls
How will it be constructed?
The item reminder circuitry will be enclosed in an ABS enclosure. A premade enclosure was chosen because it's easier and less time consuming than making one ourselves. This gives us more time to spend on developing the circuitry and testing the prototype.
To make a Printed circuit Board (PCB) we will use transfer paper to transfer the circuit to the board and Ferric Chloride to etch the PCB. A small drill will be used to drill holes for the components. The PCB will be of the same dimensions as to inside of the box so that it fits perfectly in the ABS enclosure. It will be held in place by a screw in each corner. The enclosure is made out of an insulated material so no other insulation will be required.
All components will be soldered to the circuit board using a soldering iron. Each of the IC's will be placed in an IC socket which will be soldered to the PCB. This is to eliminate to chance of damaging the IC with the heat of the soldering iron.
A Dremel will be used to cut holes in the shape of the switches in the lid of the enclosure and also to drill small holes for wires that run to the motion sensor and Thermistor. If any large holes are needed a drill will be used.
The pushbuttons and LEDs will be secured to the lid and connected to the circuit board by lengths of wire. This means we do not need the design the PCB to line up exactly with the lid. This should reduce the time to develop the PCB and also reduce the size of the board.
A steel bracket will be made out of sheet metal to attach the motion sensor to the main housing.
If there is money left over Pressure pack paint will be used the paint the prototype to give it the professional look (like the concept image) for the trade fair. A labelling machine will be used to create labels to label the task buttons and item Led's.
Full specifications
The dimensions of the enclosure are 280mm long, 200mm high and 60mm deep. This should provide enough room to fit all the circuitry.
The task buttons will be placed 15mm from the left hand side of the enclosure and 30mm from the top. The top of each button will be separated by 20mm.
The item leds will be place 20mm to the left of its corresponding button. Each button will be spaced by 20mm. The top button will be place 40mm from the top of the enclosure and 185mm from the left edge.
The LCD temperature display will be placed in to bottom right hand corner of the item reminder. It will be places 210mm from the left edge and 150mm from the top edge.
For all measurements of the item reminder see diagram above.
^^^ Page put together by Mark Holle.