Mike Kassam
Consumer Products/Applications
Most physically challenged individuals who suffer from certain medical conditions (e.g. old age, Parkinson, MS, Paralysis, etc.) with loss of dexterity and speech cannot use a regular or mobile phone that require finger dexterity and/or voice commands. These individuals, even those that are paralyzed from neck down, can actuate and control a single switch. Keeping such a user in mind, there is a real need for a Smart Phone Interface (SPI) system (wirelessly connected to a Smartphone) that will provide all the normal phone functions (dial, re-dial, speaker phone, storage and retrieval, emergency dial, volume control, remote access, display, etc.) and yet, be easy to operate. In addition to the basic phone functions, it is desirable to make the system Bluetooth enabled for seamless wireless data transfer over the phone-line of pre-processed vital medical information (e.g. ECG, HR, etc.) to the medical doctor’s office.
Using a low cost, low power microcontroller with battery-backup, to design a Smart Phone Interface (SPI) that can be operated using a single-switch (using time and frequency of switch closures as variables). While the single switch is connected directly to the SPI, a wireless link (e.g. IR) between the switch and the SPI is desirable from a practical point of view. In addition, to design and develop a simple ECG monitoring circuitry (using two wrist-band electrodes) together with appropriate signal processing to extract & compress relevant ECG information, and to transmit the data over the mobile phone to a 3rd party. In keeping with good engineering practice, at least two alternate designs (approaches) should be investigated from which the best design approach can be rationalized by the EDP Group for eventual implementation.
o Microcontroller with multi-line display for the SPI unit.
o Single digit and/or number scrolling with editing functions to dial a number with single-switch; etc.
o Pre-programmable scan rates, switch delay times, scroll rate, etc.
o Phone numbers storage/retrieval on SPI, and capability dial from the contact list on the smartphone.
o 4 emergency phone numbers stored for quick access
o Keypad for configuring the Phone System Interface (SPI)
o Wireless remote operation via infra-red link and Bluetooth interface between
user's "switch" and SPI.
o Bluetooth Interface between SPI and a Smartphone to initiate and use
built-in cellphone functions.
o A simple ECG amplifier and signal processing circuitry, and extraction of relevant ECG parameters for digital transmission over the mobile phone.
o Research the specifications and operations of the phone functions on a Smartphone.
o Research and analyze the Bluetooth technology, interfacing and communication protocol.
o Develop the User Operational Specifications for your design.
o Design a low-power, battery operated SPI system with multi-line display and Bluetooth/ USB connectivity.
o Analyze and develop the strategies to make use of a single-switch to create multiple input commands for control of the SPI functions/operations.
o Investigate the use of Smartphone freeware development kit if you choose to also develop a dedicated App on the smartphone side.
o Research basic ECG detection schemes and extraction of relevant data.
o Develop, implement and SPI system under all applicable scenarios.
(1) research the background material for the underlying technologies; (2) development of the technical specifications, at least two system level design alternatives, identifying technical challenges and associated design strategies, and then selecting the best design alternative; (2) meeting the technical objectives, (3) seamless integration of the system, (4) design, implementation and testing of the system, and (5) preparing the final technical report.
While coming up with alternative designs and then selecting the best design to implement will be the shared responsibility of the entire Group, the experiential learning and engagement may be best optimized by having Student A and Student B mainly focus on one design approach, whereas Student C and Student D on an alternate design. It is understood that there would be common design elements among the alternative design approaches.
Additional responsibilities to be determined with the FLC after this topic is assigned.
While coming up with alternative designs and then selecting the best design to implement will be the Shared responsibility of the entire Group, the experiential learning and engagement may be best optimized by having Student A and Student B mainly focus on one design approach, whereas Student C and Student D on an alternate design. It is understood that there would be common design elements among the alternative design approaches.
Additional responsibilities to be determined with the FLC after this topic is assigned.
While coming up with alternative designs and then selecting the best design to implement will be the shared responsibility of the entire Group, the experiential learning and engagement may be best optimized by having Student A and Student B mainly focus on one design approach, whereas Student C and Student D on an alternate design. It is understood that there would be common design elements among the alternative design approaches.
Additional responsibilities to be determined with the FLC after this topic is assigned.
While coming up with alternative designs and then selecting the best design to implement will be the shared responsibility of the entire Group, the experiential learning and engagement may be best optimized by having Student A and Student B mainly focus on one design approach, whereas Student C and Student D on an alternate design. It is understood that there would be common design elements among the alternative design approaches.
Additional responsibilities to be determined with the FLC after this topic is assigned.
MK03: A portable PHONE & MONITORING interface for the physically challenged | Mike Kassam | Thursday September 8th 2022 at 02:05 PM