Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
41 Smart Curtains
 Jack Davenport
Max Mauschbaugh
Vinay Konda
 Nikhil Arora design_document2.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
other1.pdf
photo1.jpg
photo2.jpg
presentation1.pptx
video
# Smart Curtains

Team Members:
Jack Davenport (johndd2)
Vinay Konda (konda3)
Max Mauschbaugh (maxjm2)

# Problem

Oftentimes an alarm clock is not enough to wake people up in the morning, and when they do wake people up it is an immediate and shocking way to start your day. I know I'm not the only one who gets shivers whenever they hear the iPhone alarm ring at any point throughout the day. We want to create a product that will complement an alarm clock to make the wake up process more effective and enjoyable.

# Solution

We want to make smart curtains that automatically open in the morning to assist an alarm clock. The curtains should open at a certain time in the morning based on what the user sets it to and should be able to sync up with an alarm clock by connecting via wifi. We believe that waking up to natural sunlight is the healthiest and most enjoyable way of getting up in the morning, and hope we can create a system that lets us do so.

# Solution Components

## Curtain Movement Subsystem

For the movement of the curtain itself, we will use a motor connected to two strings that will wrap around the furthest curtain ring on either side. One string will be used to open the curtains and another to close them (similar to the opening and closing of elevator doors). For the motor and its controller these should be sufficient: [Motor](https://www.amazon.com/Greartisan-Electric-Reduction-Centric-Diameter/dp/B072R5G5GR?th=1), [Motor Controller](https://www.amazon.com/Greartisan-Controller-Variable-Regulator-Governor/dp/B07H8ZJSFQ?th=1). For the thread we’ll use something durable like this: [Cotton Thread.](https://www.amazon.com/Colors-Macram%C3%A9-Natural-Knitting-Wedding/dp/B07KCZXKYX/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=cotton%2Bthread%2B1%2Bmm&qid=1675135320&refinements=p_36%3A2638326011%2Cp_76%3A2638115011&rnid=2638113011&rps=1&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-15&th=1) We will 3d print parts for the motor shaft to be able to fit and pull the two strings. When opening and closing, our motor will coil the two strings around the shaft in opposite ways, increasing slack of one string and decreasing the slack of the other. This will allow for the motor to rotate one way to open the blinds, and rotate the opposite way to close them.

## Processing Subsystem

Our microcontroller will connect to our WiFi module to receive information about alarm times and more, which the microcontroller will then process. Something like this will work for the WiFi module: [ESP8266](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17146). The PCB’s open and close state for the curtains depend on the alarm information sent via WiFi. In addition, we will have a physical button for manually changing the PCB’s open and close state. Something like this should work: [Button](https://www.superbrightleds.com/more-led-lights-and-fixtures/installation-supplies/switches-dimmers/rocker-pushbutton-remote-switches/mini-on-off-toggle-switch-wired-mini-on-off-toggle-switch-wired)



## Power Subsystem
In order to power the pcb, motor, and other components of the system we will be using a rechargeable battery.

# Criterion For Success
- Able to reliably open and close curtains using one motor and a string.
- Accurately opens/closes with respect to alarm using wifi.
- Manually open/close blinds based on toggle of a physical button.

Prosthetic Control Board

Caleb Albers, Daniel Lee

Prosthetic Control Board

Featured Project

Psyonic is a local start-up that has been working on a prosthetic arm with an impressive set of features as well as being affordable. The current iteration of the main hand board is functional, but has limitations in computational power as well as scalability. In lieu of this, Psyonic wishes to switch to a production-ready chip that is an improvement on the current micro controller by utilizing a more modern architecture. During this change a few new features would be added that would improve safety, allow for easier debugging, and fix some issues present in the current implementation. The board is also slated to communicate with several other boards found in the hand. Additionally we are looking at the possibility of improving the longevity of the product with methods such as conformal coating and potting.

Core Functionality:

Replace microcontroller, change connectors, and code software to send control signals to the motor drivers

Tier 1 functions:

Add additional communication interfaces (I2C), and add temperature sensor.

Tier 2 functions:

Setup framework for communication between other boards, and improve board longevity.

Overview of proposed changes by affected area:

Microcontroller/Architecture Change:

Teensy -> Production-ready chip (most likely ARM based, i.e. STM32 family of processors)

Board:

support new microcontroller, adding additional communication interfaces (I2C), change to more robust connector. (will need to design pcb for both main control as well as finger sensors)

Sensor:

Addition of a temperature sensor to provide temperature feedback to the microcontroller.

Software:

change from Arduino IDE to new toolchain. (ARM has various base libraries such as mbed and can be configured for use with eclipse to act as IDE) Lay out framework to allow communication from other boards found in other parts of the arm.