Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
88 FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE, MULTI-USE BUTTON WITH LCD DISPLAY
Daryl Lim
Jin Li
Naveed Jamali
Eric Clark design_document0.pdf
design_document0.pdf
final_paper0.pdf
presentation0.pptx
proposal0.pdf
Handy Button

For additional comments and responses, please see the original post at https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=15645

Our basic idea is to create multipurpose buttons that can be set to a few preexisting modes that would serve to simplify life tasks by acting as a reminder for actions that need to be or have already been done. The buttons would be accompanied by a simple black and white LCD display (to conserve battery life) that would adjust to its current mode. Our reach goal would be to add an IoT aspect that would allow the button to perform scripted tasks through a host device.

Possible Modes:

Counter
- At this setting, the button increments a counter for every press of the button. The LCD display would display the current object/task being counted and the current count value.
- Example of uses could be to place the button near water filter to monitor how many glasses of water are drunk a day, near gym equipment/mirror to count how many times you go to the gym, etc.
- The counter would be set to reset after a custom amount of time (day, week, etc.)
- Could possibly include either LEDs (blinks if you click the button as it approaches the goal/limit) or a small speaker of sorts to include audio feedback (make a noise when time limit is approaching and goal isn't met, or when goal is met before time expires, etc.)

Checklist
- At this setting, the designated task would appear on the LCD display and clicking the button would signify those tasks are "done".
- Examples of uses could be to place the button near the medicine cabinet to for daily medication, as a reminder to call your parents, to change the filter, to feed your dog, etc. (This would also be useful to remind family/roommates that chores are completed/still needs done)
- Could possibly include LEDs (blinks red as time limit approaches but task remains undone) or a small speaker to include audio feedback (makes noise as time limit approaches but task remains undone)

Toggle
- At this setting, the LCD display would toggle between 2 or more states with each button press.
- Examples of this could include keeping track of tasks for the day (eating, studying, free time, etc.) or cycling between names of family members to determine who has to do the designated chore for that day.
- Could possibly include LEDs (blinks as a reminder to press button to cycle to next display) or a small speaker for audio feedback (makes noise as a reminder to press the button).

Scripted Action
- We will explore this avenue if time allows for it: this would be the IoT aspect of the button. The button would essentially be able to connect to household appliances through a host device such as a computer or smartphone to turn them on/off or to phones to send texts.
- Examples of use would include having one near the door that would send the message "On the way!", or near the bed to turn off all connected lights, or placed throughout the house at key points for an elderly person to send SOS to family members or authorities.

Ideally the buttons would be connected to an application on the phone or computer through Wifi or Bluetooth that could monitor data collected from them and program them with the proper mode, label, and parameters.

The LCD displays would be a non-backlit and black and white display so that the battery life could possibly last for weeks to months.

Additionally, the button will include localization functionality and voice recognition. Our idea is to use Bluetooth for the button to determine if the user is currently present within the premises. If not, the functions the buttons perform to alert users in close proximity will turn off (the LEDs, speaker, etc.). This would aid immensely in our efforts to conserve the battery lives of each individual button, which would be vital for long-term utilities such as these. Also, this would prevent the button from disturbing other nearby residents while the user is not present.

For voice recognition, we intend to utilize this function to be able to turn off button functions without having to press the button itself. An example of this would be if the button was urging you to go to the gym, but an emergency pops up that doesn't allow time for a gym run. By telling the button "stop", it would cease beeping or alerting you of your obligation at the time. This would provide an alternative to "cheating" by pressing the button despite not completing the task and at the same time relieving the user of the stress of the time constraint at that very moment.

We believe that these additions should increase the hardware complexity for our buttons sufficiently.

Interactive Proximity Donor Wall Illumination

Sungmin Jang, Anita Jung, Zheng Liu

Interactive Proximity Donor Wall Illumination

Featured Project

Team Members:

Anita Jung (anitaj2)

Sungmin Jang (sjang27)

Zheng Liu (zliu93)

Link to the idea: https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=27710

Problem:

The Donor Wall on the southwest side of first floor in ECEB is to celebrate and appreciate everyone who helped and donated for ECEB.

However, because of poor lighting and color contrast between the copper and the wall behind, donor names are not noticed as much as they should, especially after sunset.

Solution Overview:

Here is the image of the Donor Wall:

http://buildingcampaign.ece.illinois.edu/files/2014/10/touched-up-Donor-wall-by-kurt-bielema.jpg

We are going to design and implement a dynamic and interactive illuminating system for the Donor Wall by installing LEDs on the background. LEDs can be placed behind the names to softly illuminate each name. LEDs can also fill in the transparent gaps in the “circuit board” to allow for interaction and dynamic animation.

And our project’s system would contain 2 basic modes:

Default mode: When there is nobody near the Donor Wall, the names are softly illuminated from the back of each name block.

Moving mode: When sensors detect any stimulation such as a person walking nearby, the LEDs are controlled to animate “current” or “pulses” flowing through the “circuit board” into name boards.

Depending on the progress of our project, we have some additional modes:

Pressing mode: When someone is physically pressing on a name block, detected by pressure sensors, the LEDs are controlled to

animate scattering of outgoing light, just as if a wave or light is emitted from that name block.

Solution Components:

Sensor Subsystem:

IR sensors (PIR modules or IR LEDs with phototransistor) or ultrasonic sensors to detect presence and proximity of people in front of the Donor Wall.

Pressure sensors to detect if someone is pressing on a block.

Lighting Subsystem:

A lot of LEDs is needed to be installed on the PCBs to be our lighting subsystem. These are hidden as much as possible so that people focus on the names instead of the LEDs.

Controlling Subsystem:

The main part of the system is the controlling unit. We plan to use a microprocessor to process the signal from those sensors and send signal to LEDs. And because the system has different modes, switching between them correctly is also important for the project.

Power Subsystem:

AC (Wall outlet; 120V, 60Hz) to DC (acceptable DC voltage and current applicable for our circuit design) power adapter or possible AC-DC converter circuit

Criterion for success:

Whole system should work correctly in each mode and switch between different modes correctly. The names should be highlighted in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing way. Our project is acceptable for senior design because it contains both hardware and software parts dealing with signal processing, power, control, and circuit design with sensors.

Project Videos