Weekly Reports
9/23-9/30
This past week, we meet with our client, Zimin, to discuss the quality of our brain storming. He enjoyed our ideas and noticed that the majority of our ideas were focused on how the user would actually use the VNR. From that discussion, we decided to brain storm again and focus on how we could reduce the visual noise.
Our brainstorming ideas can be seen in the SciNote file from this week. Next week, we turn our attention to the Project Proposal Report.
This past week, we meet with our client, Zimin, to discuss the quality of our brain storming. He enjoyed our ideas and noticed that the majority of our ideas were focused on how the user would actually use the VNR. From that discussion, we decided to brain storm again and focus on how we could reduce the visual noise.
Our brainstorming ideas can be seen in the SciNote file from this week. Next week, we turn our attention to the Project Proposal Report.
9/30-10/6
This week we have been focusing on our preliminary report. Specifically, I worked on finalizing our project scope and defining the design requirements for our visual noise reduction system. Matt Kramer worked on developing a thorough background for our project. He worked to thoroughly define the market and environment surrounding ADHD. Evan Kwok research current methods of ADHD treatment and compiled some positive and negative effects of their use.We also decided that Evan Kwok will be our presenter for the preliminary report. Going into the weekend, we will work to prepare our presentation.
This week we have been focusing on our preliminary report. Specifically, I worked on finalizing our project scope and defining the design requirements for our visual noise reduction system. Matt Kramer worked on developing a thorough background for our project. He worked to thoroughly define the market and environment surrounding ADHD. Evan Kwok research current methods of ADHD treatment and compiled some positive and negative effects of their use.We also decided that Evan Kwok will be our presenter for the preliminary report. Going into the weekend, we will work to prepare our presentation.
10/6-10/13
This week our group has been focusing on putting together the presentation for our preliminary report and connecting with our client. Evan Kwok was our group’s presenter and took the leading in preparing the presentation. Looking ahead to next week, we plan to continue researching and brainstorming possible solutions, including learning more about the VR solutions and the polymer dispersed liquid crystal glass. We also plan to develop our website for this project.
This week our group has been focusing on putting together the presentation for our preliminary report and connecting with our client. Evan Kwok was our group’s presenter and took the leading in preparing the presentation. Looking ahead to next week, we plan to continue researching and brainstorming possible solutions, including learning more about the VR solutions and the polymer dispersed liquid crystal glass. We also plan to develop our website for this project.
10/13-10/20
This week our group has been focused on putting our website together. Our website can be found at http://bme401a-vnr.weebly.com/. Following the design lecture on Wednesday, we started thinking about the ideas and concepts presented in the lecture, and how we could apply them to our own project/implementation.
We received feedback on our preliminary report this week, and are working to resolve the issues and improve our concept. We plan on researching novel concepts and medical devices, rather than simply pharmaceutical solutions that treat ADHD. Looking ahead to next week, we plan to continue researching our solutions and better our understanding of the human visual field.
We are also currently working on building rudimentary versions of some of our concepts. Attached is our Scinote notebook.
This week our group has been focused on putting our website together. Our website can be found at http://bme401a-vnr.weebly.com/. Following the design lecture on Wednesday, we started thinking about the ideas and concepts presented in the lecture, and how we could apply them to our own project/implementation.
We received feedback on our preliminary report this week, and are working to resolve the issues and improve our concept. We plan on researching novel concepts and medical devices, rather than simply pharmaceutical solutions that treat ADHD. Looking ahead to next week, we plan to continue researching our solutions and better our understanding of the human visual field.
We are also currently working on building rudimentary versions of some of our concepts. Attached is our Scinote notebook.
10/20-10/27
This week we researched different technologies that can be incorporated into our design solutions. We looked specifically at the applications of AR and VR technology, and the main differences between the two. Next week, we will look to researching solutions that are not necessarily worn directly on the face. Additionally, we will collaborate with our client to narrow down our potential ideas so that we can begin making our Pugh charts for proposed solutions.
This week we researched different technologies that can be incorporated into our design solutions. We looked specifically at the applications of AR and VR technology, and the main differences between the two. Next week, we will look to researching solutions that are not necessarily worn directly on the face. Additionally, we will collaborate with our client to narrow down our potential ideas so that we can begin making our Pugh charts for proposed solutions.
10/27-11/3
This week we were primarily focused on collecting and analyzing research for detection methods. We were able to categorize detection of the human FOV into 3 types, and we have constructed a pugh chart to see which will be most successful for our project.
Next week we will be focusing on research of different “attenuation” methods for our project. We will similarly create a pugh chart to determine which provides most value to our project.
Additionally, we have a skype meeting with Zimin scheduled later this afternoon, to present our week’s findings and consult/collaborate with him on how we should move forwards.
This week we were primarily focused on collecting and analyzing research for detection methods. We were able to categorize detection of the human FOV into 3 types, and we have constructed a pugh chart to see which will be most successful for our project.
Next week we will be focusing on research of different “attenuation” methods for our project. We will similarly create a pugh chart to determine which provides most value to our project.
Additionally, we have a skype meeting with Zimin scheduled later this afternoon, to present our week’s findings and consult/collaborate with him on how we should move forwards.
11/3-11/10
Since last week, Evan Kwok met with our client to talk about the development of our pugh chart on the topic of ROI identification. Zimin mentioned that it was probably in our best interest to focus on a single variable of the project. We agreed with that thought. This week, we began research into attenuation techniques. A pugh chart started to come into existence with various potential solutions. The four solutions include building our own AR, developing from an AR system, developing from a google glass VR style system, and using PLDC glass.
Next week, we will began looking at the progress report
Since last week, Evan Kwok met with our client to talk about the development of our pugh chart on the topic of ROI identification. Zimin mentioned that it was probably in our best interest to focus on a single variable of the project. We agreed with that thought. This week, we began research into attenuation techniques. A pugh chart started to come into existence with various potential solutions. The four solutions include building our own AR, developing from an AR system, developing from a google glass VR style system, and using PLDC glass.
Next week, we will began looking at the progress report
11/10-11/17
This week our group worked on developing our progress report and narrowing in our scope. We have decided that we will focus primarily on attenuation of visual stimuli. Detection of the region of interest will be simpler than we previously thought. We are working on finalizing our Pugh chart. Originally, we planned to have two different Pugh charts for detection and attenuation. Now with our narrowed scope,we will combine the two Pugh charts by matching detection and attenuation methods as is appropriate.This will give us more space in our progress report to evaluate our remaining options.
Next week, we plan to finish our progress report before Thanksgiving break. We will then submit a draft of our progress report to our client and instructor for revisions.
This week our group worked on developing our progress report and narrowing in our scope. We have decided that we will focus primarily on attenuation of visual stimuli. Detection of the region of interest will be simpler than we previously thought. We are working on finalizing our Pugh chart. Originally, we planned to have two different Pugh charts for detection and attenuation. Now with our narrowed scope,we will combine the two Pugh charts by matching detection and attenuation methods as is appropriate.This will give us more space in our progress report to evaluate our remaining options.
Next week, we plan to finish our progress report before Thanksgiving break. We will then submit a draft of our progress report to our client and instructor for revisions.
11/24-12/1
This week our group worked to finalize our progress report. After meeting to talk about our report this Monday, we revised our report to provide a clearer picture of our progress thus far. Before working together on the report, each group member researched and described a couple solutions. Matt Kramer researched the Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality solutions. Evan Wilder researched the smart film solutions. Evan Kwok researched the manual blocking solutions. Next, our group worked together to complete our Pugh analysis and further describe the chosen solution.
Next week, we plan to help Matt prepare for his progress presentation. Due to time constraints, he will only focus on the solutions that scored highest in our Pugh analysis.
This week our group worked to finalize our progress report. After meeting to talk about our report this Monday, we revised our report to provide a clearer picture of our progress thus far. Before working together on the report, each group member researched and described a couple solutions. Matt Kramer researched the Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality solutions. Evan Wilder researched the smart film solutions. Evan Kwok researched the manual blocking solutions. Next, our group worked together to complete our Pugh analysis and further describe the chosen solution.
Next week, we plan to help Matt prepare for his progress presentation. Due to time constraints, he will only focus on the solutions that scored highest in our Pugh analysis.
1/30-2/3
This week we worked to contact various suppliers for our glasses/goggles and the PDLC film. We explored various options including those from commercial suppliers and Amazon. The results of our PDLC film verification and validation testing will dictate the path of our project, so finding the right filmis the primary goal at this time. Next week, we will consider our budget and order the appropriate film
This week we worked to contact various suppliers for our glasses/goggles and the PDLC film. We explored various options including those from commercial suppliers and Amazon. The results of our PDLC film verification and validation testing will dictate the path of our project, so finding the right filmis the primary goal at this time. Next week, we will consider our budget and order the appropriate film
2/6-2/10
This week we worked to get our PDLC film by contacting a supplier and speaking with multiple collaborators for advice on design. We were able to speak with the Smart Tint sales representative over the phone this Wednesday. Initially, we asked about their portable power pack that would allow our device to be powered with a battery. However, he advised that we should not take this approach and strongly suggested we use AC power for our device. After talking with Patricia, we decided to pursue the Smart Film AC-powered solution as a backup but also trying to find PDLC we can wire ourselves. Next week, we will purchase the AC-powered option from Smart Tint and begin our testing of the circuitry and film.
This week we worked to get our PDLC film by contacting a supplier and speaking with multiple collaborators for advice on design. We were able to speak with the Smart Tint sales representative over the phone this Wednesday. Initially, we asked about their portable power pack that would allow our device to be powered with a battery. However, he advised that we should not take this approach and strongly suggested we use AC power for our device. After talking with Patricia, we decided to pursue the Smart Film AC-powered solution as a backup but also trying to find PDLC we can wire ourselves. Next week, we will purchase the AC-powered option from Smart Tint and begin our testing of the circuitry and film.
2/13-2/17
This week, we finished preliminary planning of the circuit design and began the ordering process for our various needed materials. The Privacy glass was ordered from SmartTint. We will be receiving a 1 square foot piece of film cut in half and then wired in the corners. As well, we ordered 3 power relays to be used as a switch. Those will be coming in about 2-3 weeks.
Next week, we will begin working on the hardcode for the microcontroller
This week, we finished preliminary planning of the circuit design and began the ordering process for our various needed materials. The Privacy glass was ordered from SmartTint. We will be receiving a 1 square foot piece of film cut in half and then wired in the corners. As well, we ordered 3 power relays to be used as a switch. Those will be coming in about 2-3 weeks.
Next week, we will begin working on the hardcode for the microcontroller
2/20-2/24
This week we began testing our PDLC film and constructing the Arduino circuit to control the switch for powering the PDLC film. We began by connecting our Arduino to the accelerometer and gathered some preliminary data as we manipulated the device. We learned to adjust the sensitivity and calibration of the accelerometer through our Arduino code. We also computed the magnitude of the acceleration. After some further testing, we will be able to determine an appropriate threshold that can detect when the user moves his or her head significantly. We will have to make sure our threshold isn’t so low that it detects very small movements but isn’t too high that it will never be triggered.
One additional consideration is that we may need to use a transistor in addition to our power relay. It was suggested that the Arduino may not have enough current to trip the power relay by itself. Thus, we would control a transistor with the Arduino which would turn on or off a 5V DC power supply that would be able to trip the power relay.
Next week, we will work finalizing our V&V plan, write our report, and prepare our presentation.
This week we began testing our PDLC film and constructing the Arduino circuit to control the switch for powering the PDLC film. We began by connecting our Arduino to the accelerometer and gathered some preliminary data as we manipulated the device. We learned to adjust the sensitivity and calibration of the accelerometer through our Arduino code. We also computed the magnitude of the acceleration. After some further testing, we will be able to determine an appropriate threshold that can detect when the user moves his or her head significantly. We will have to make sure our threshold isn’t so low that it detects very small movements but isn’t too high that it will never be triggered.
One additional consideration is that we may need to use a transistor in addition to our power relay. It was suggested that the Arduino may not have enough current to trip the power relay by itself. Thus, we would control a transistor with the Arduino which would turn on or off a 5V DC power supply that would be able to trip the power relay.
Next week, we will work finalizing our V&V plan, write our report, and prepare our presentation.
2/27-3/3
This week we worked on our design verification and validation report. For design verification, we decided to place extra emphasis on safety because our plan is currently to plug the device into a wall outlet. We also plan to use a photo-resistor to test the opacity of the glasses, and mechanical arm and motor to test the responsiveness of the device to changes in motion. For design validation, we place demphasis on evaluating the practicality of our device. We want the test subject to give an honest assessment of whether or not the prototype helps to improve focus.
Next week, we will continue designing our prototype and begin conducting verification testing. Our first steps will be identifying the voltage and current requirements of the PDLC film. We will then robustly test our Arduino circuitry.
This week we worked on our design verification and validation report. For design verification, we decided to place extra emphasis on safety because our plan is currently to plug the device into a wall outlet. We also plan to use a photo-resistor to test the opacity of the glasses, and mechanical arm and motor to test the responsiveness of the device to changes in motion. For design validation, we place demphasis on evaluating the practicality of our device. We want the test subject to give an honest assessment of whether or not the prototype helps to improve focus.
Next week, we will continue designing our prototype and begin conducting verification testing. Our first steps will be identifying the voltage and current requirements of the PDLC film. We will then robustly test our Arduino circuitry.
3/6-3/10
This week our group received the final component for our circuit design and can now proceed with the development of the prototype. Until this point, the group was at a bit of a stand still. Much of this week went to watching the presentations.
This week our group received the final component for our circuit design and can now proceed with the development of the prototype. Until this point, the group was at a bit of a stand still. Much of this week went to watching the presentations.
3/20-3/24
This week we worked on verifying our device safety and building our first prototype. We began the week by testing the voltage and current requirements of our PDLC film. We hooked up the film to a function generator and used an oscilloscope to watch the voltage across the film. Even though we were unable to get the film to very high voltages using the oscilloscope, we observed that the film turned on only when the voltage sharply changed. Thus, we determined that AC power is necessary not because of the voltage across the film but because of the high frequency of the signal. Later in the week, we constructed our first prototype of the VNR system. We connected the accelerometer to the Arduino,and connected the Arduino to the power relay. The power relay acted as a switch that either powers on or powers off our PDLC film. The first test was successful and we were able to toggle the film on and of fusing our Arduino. We then introduced the accelerometer data into our prototype. We set an arbitrary threshold and turned the film on when the magnitude of acceleration was above the threshold. This was also successful, but will take some more fine tuning to calibrate the device. We found that it was somewhat insensitive to motion and didn’t always behave as we expected.
Next week, we will begin to conduct our design verification testing to make our device more reliable and predictable.
This week we worked on verifying our device safety and building our first prototype. We began the week by testing the voltage and current requirements of our PDLC film. We hooked up the film to a function generator and used an oscilloscope to watch the voltage across the film. Even though we were unable to get the film to very high voltages using the oscilloscope, we observed that the film turned on only when the voltage sharply changed. Thus, we determined that AC power is necessary not because of the voltage across the film but because of the high frequency of the signal. Later in the week, we constructed our first prototype of the VNR system. We connected the accelerometer to the Arduino,and connected the Arduino to the power relay. The power relay acted as a switch that either powers on or powers off our PDLC film. The first test was successful and we were able to toggle the film on and of fusing our Arduino. We then introduced the accelerometer data into our prototype. We set an arbitrary threshold and turned the film on when the magnitude of acceleration was above the threshold. This was also successful, but will take some more fine tuning to calibrate the device. We found that it was somewhat insensitive to motion and didn’t always behave as we expected.
Next week, we will begin to conduct our design verification testing to make our device more reliable and predictable.
4/3-4/7
This week our group continued work on the circuitry of the project, specifically, adding the safety components considered last week. Following a trip to home depot, we obtained a gcfi and fuses.To incorporate the fuse into the project, we un-soldered a fuse holder off a previously dismantled hotplate in Prof Widder’s lab and restructured it to work for our purposes. Work also began on lengthening wires to an appropriate length for the project and cutting the privacy film into the desired shape. The group also began 3D printing containers to limit the amount the user can interact with the circuitry.
Next week, the group will safely connect the lengthened wires and adhere the privacy film to the mask.
This week our group continued work on the circuitry of the project, specifically, adding the safety components considered last week. Following a trip to home depot, we obtained a gcfi and fuses.To incorporate the fuse into the project, we un-soldered a fuse holder off a previously dismantled hotplate in Prof Widder’s lab and restructured it to work for our purposes. Work also began on lengthening wires to an appropriate length for the project and cutting the privacy film into the desired shape. The group also began 3D printing containers to limit the amount the user can interact with the circuitry.
Next week, the group will safely connect the lengthened wires and adhere the privacy film to the mask.