Advisor:Dr. Edwin Jones

1

Client:Paul Jewell

ISU Engineering Distance Learning Facility

May01-13 Design Team:David Douglas CprE

Matt Engelbart EE

Hank Huang EE

Bill Ogier CprE

http://seniord.ee.iastate.edu/may0113 January 25, 2001

AgendaAgenda

• Problem Statement & Background• Design Objectives• End-Product Description• Assumptions & Limitations• Milestones• Technical Approach• Personnel & Financial Budgets• Problems Encountered & Lessons Learned• Conclusion & Questions

Problem Statement & BackgroundProblem Statement & Background

• The Multiple VCR Control Unit will be designed to

allow banks of VCRs to be controlled simultaneously

from a single control computer via infrared LEDs

• This solution will consist of a graphical software package,

which interfaces with a hardware device

• This implementation will save a considerable amount of

time for facilities that operate multiple VCRs

Design ObjectivesDesign Objectives

Deliverables

• User Interface – A software remote control with basic

VCR functionality

• VCR Control Unit – A device that will send signals to all of the LEDs after receiving commands from the User Interface. It will also be able to “learn” commands of new VCRs.

Design ObjectivesDesign Objectives

Functionality• Ability to learn commands when new VCRs are purchased• The ability to group different VCRs into VCR banks • Expandable for new VCRs• Perform the six basic VCR functions• Control anywhere from one to sixty-four VCRs at once• Control VCRs in different rooms• Easy to use for someone with little technical knowledge• Robust design to minimize the need for maintenance

Design ObjectivesDesign Objectives

Constraints• Behave similar to hand-held remote• Must fit into standard 19 inch rack mounted box• Risks of Windows 9x environment• Used by Distance Education Lab Staff to perform everyday tasks with VCRs• Signal loss due to length of wire between control box and LEDs • Communication with the PC is based around the parallel port capabilities

End-Product DescriptionEnd-Product Description

End-Product DescriptionEnd-Product Description

Assumptions & LimitationsAssumptions & Limitations

Assumptions

• All VCRs must be in proper working condition

• Standard VCR commands will be implemented:

Stop, Play, Record, Fast Forward, Rewind, Pause• The user is computer literate and can operate software

and hardware with minimal difficulty• Engineering Distance Learning Facility will have

adequate funds to acquire necessary items to

implement the project

Assumptions & LimitationsAssumptions & Limitations

Limitations

• The system will be expandable only to sixty-four VCRs

per Control Unit• The Control Unit will not be able to receive any feedback

from the VCRs that it will control, forcing the user to

insure the VCR is ready to function as desired• Access to the distance learning facilities• Familiarity of Visual C++ is limited among group members• The group has little knowledge of VCR remote protocols

MilestonesMilestones

• Operating a VCR straight from remote control through the signal recorder to the IR LED • Talking between the computer and control box to establish a reliable connection• Controlling a single VCR via the control unit• Maintaining adequate power levels to multiple IR LEDs • Controlling multiple VCRs at once • Successful testing of the final product

Technical ApproachTechnical Approach

Selection Criterion• Fulfillment of functional requirements• Difficulty of implementation• Speed of the system in operation• Difficulty of operation by the user• Expandability of adding new VCRs• Cost of the system and development• Simplicity in the design• Creativity in the design

Technical ApproachTechnical Approach

Approaches Considered – Software Platform

• ANSI C++ as the software platform • Visual Basic as the software platform • Visual C++ as the software platform

Decision – Visual C++

Technical ApproachTechnical Approach

Approaches Considered – Communications

• Serial Port communication from PC to control box• Parallel Port communication from PC to control box

Decision – Parallel Port Communication

Technical ApproachTechnical Approach

Approaches Considered – Control Unit

• PCIR Infrared© Control System based Control Unit• Microprocessor based Control Unit• Microprocessor and logic gate based Control Unit• Computer controlled “simple” Control Unit

Decision – Computer controlled “simple” Control Unit

Personnel & Financial BudgetsPersonnel & Financial Budgets

• Estimated Personnel Budget: 700 Hours• Estimated Financial Budget: $400

Revised Financial BudgetParts $100Casing $30Shipping & Handling $30Poster $100

TOTAL $260

Personnel & Financial BudgetsPersonnel & Financial Budgets

Time Spent To-Date - 249 Hours

Meetings25%

Reports32%

Poster21%

Research11%

Misc.11%

Problems Encountered & Lessons LearnedProblems Encountered & Lessons Learned

• Team members unavailable due to interviewing• Not all team members are available at meeting times• Difficulty in finding certain components• Starting late and working from deadline to deadline• Lots of time needed to get familiar with necessary

software (i.e. Project, Visual Studio)• Hard to incorporate individual work into one large

group report• TIME, TIME, TIME!

Conclusion & QuestionsConclusion & Questions

• Project should be easy enough to implement,

inexpensive, and would not require more time than a

semester to build• The design will use conventional off-the-shelf

components, making them easy to find and reducing the

time to obtain them • Overall, the project appears to be possible, practical, and

economical• It is recommended to complete the project as designed

Conclusion & QuestionsConclusion & Questions