Wireless Remote Sighted-Guide for the Blind ECE 191: Group 8

1
Wireless Remote Sighted-Guide for the BlindECE
191 Group 8

• Group Members
• Kathryn Becker
• Hoang-Anh Nguyen
• Danny Picar
• Mike Ramirez
• Tuan Anh Vo

• Professors
• Dr. Clark Guest
• Dr. Charles Tu
• Sponsor
• Cal-(IT) ²
• Mentor
• John Miller, Ph.D.

2
Agenda

• Gantt Chart
• Tasks Accomplished
• Preliminary Stage
• Goals for Week 5
• Summary

3
Gantt Chart
4
Tasks Accomplished

• Kathryn GPS research
• Anh and Tuan tested functionality of parts
• John Miller and Tuan beta test run
• Danny and Mike PC interface research
• Ordered Lego Mindstorm book and RC transmitter PC
  interface
• Met with Professor Ann Hoger to discuss mechanics
  aspects of project
• Talked with Prof. Nate Delson about the physical
  aspects of the prototype

5
GPS Research

• GPS receiver measures distance to three
  satellites this determines position
• Commercial GPS measurements are too noisy
• Errors up to 100 meters
• Although DGPS is more accurate, it's too
  expensive
• We will be logging GPS data points to determine
  if there is a pattern to the commercial GPS errors

6
Results Of Testing

• Observations
• Range of transmitter and receiver is good
• Parts were light-weight
• Obstacles
• Increasing angle of rotation range
• Linear Converter not functioning properly
• Miniaturizing components
• Delay attenuation of signal
• Battery life

7
Beta Test Run

• Path Café Roma to Peterson Hall
• John Miller following direction
• Tuan following 20 feet behind
• John Miller purposely disobey directions
• Test controller and user interaction
• User requests feature
• Indication that he responded correctly
• Miniaturize device

8
Preliminary Stage
FRONT VIEW
Clip
BACK VIEW
Direction
Speed
Battery Receiver
9
PC Interface

• RC Electronics serial PCbuddy
• Programming
• Multi channel data sending

• Uncertainty of compatibility of coding with JA
  DAC interface
• Must talk to Doug Palmer at Cal-(IT)²

10
Goals for Week 5

• Research on how to communicate and control device
  using a computer via USB
• Gain an understanding of Cal-IT2 GPS system
• Develop a method to integrate the use of Lego
  Mindstorm
• Begin assembly of device

11
Summary

• Tested parts
• Continuation of research GPS, RC Transmitter PC
  Interface
• Beta test run and adjustment
• Assembly of prototype