ECE 477 Digital Systems Senior Design Project Rev 8/09 s13

ECE 477 Digital Systems Senior Design Project Rev 8/09

Homework 13: User Manual

Team Code Name: ______Blinkers ++______Group No. __5___

User Manual Outline: . 1.0 Brief (marketing-style) product description . 2.0 Product illustration annotated with callouts for each control/display . 3.0 Product setup instructions . 4.0 Product use instructions . 5.0 Product troubleshooting instructions

Evaluation:

SCORE DESCRIPTION Excellent – among the best papers submitted for this assignment. Very few 10 corrections needed for version submitted in Final Report. Very good – all requirements aptly met. Minor additions/corrections needed for 9 version submitted in Final Report. Good – all requirements considered and addressed. Several noteworthy 8 additions/corrections needed for version submitted in Final Report. Average – all requirements basically met, but some revisions in content should 7 be made for the version submitted in the Final Report. Marginal – all requirements met at a nominal level. Significant revisions in 6 content should be made for the version submitted in the Final Report. Below the passing threshold – major revisions required to meet report * requirements at a nominal level. Revise and resubmit. * Resubmissions are due within one week of the date of return, and will be awarded a score of “6” provided all report requirements have been met at a nominal level.

ECE 477 Digital Systems Senior Design Project Rev 8/09 1.0 Brief (marketing-style) product description

The roadways of the world are the lifeblood of commerce and civilization. And yet, all motorists are still using an antiquated system of horn honking and headlight flashing to communicate simple messages to each other. The market is ready for a revolution to bring rich, user-friendly communication to the roadways. This revolution has a name. It is Blinkers++.

Blinkers++ enables driver communication with an intuitive multi-touch interface. Simply swipe your hand across the touch surface and the exterior of the vehicle will illuminate, making your message known to the outside world in brilliant style. Blinkers++ enables communication where it was previously sharply limited by leveraging the full range of the color spectrum and blurs the line between traffic signals and true art. Simply purchase a vehicle equipped with

Blinkers++ and suddenly where you were once mute, you will speak.

2.0 Product illustration annotated with callouts for each control/display

Figure 1. Input touchpad

3.0 Setup Instructions

Congratulations on your purchase of a Blinkers++ next-generation communication system. We, the Blinkers++ team, hope you enjoy your new range of expression on the open road. You will be happy to note that Blinkers++ requires no assembly or setup; it is ready for operation immediately. In the interest of standardizing roadway communications, customization of the output patterns is not supported by the Blinkers++ team and is strongly discouraged.

Blinkers++ should be factory installed only; although all parts are available for hobbyists.

However, the installation and integration of these parts in a vehicle as part of an after-market modification is not officially supported by the Blinkers++ team.

ECE 477 Digital Systems Senior Design Project Rev 8/09 4.0 User Instructions

The following will describe the use of the Blinkers++ system.

4.1 Power on/ Power off

Blinkers++ will turn on when the vehicle is started. Use is continuous for the duration of the drive. The system will power down with the engine is turned off.

4.2 General Use

Blinkers++ has been designed from the ground up to be easy to use. You can produce an output with a swipe of 1 to 5 fingers in any direction. The direction of the input swipe will determine the side of the vehicle on which LEDs illuminate. To enhance accuracy in interpreting the gesture, each swipe should be no more than two seconds and fingers should remain separated during the gesture.

Number of Color Output in the Message Communicated Fingers Direction of Swipe 1 Blue The color Blue is employed to convey positive feelings toward a driver or pedestrian. Examples include gratitude to considerate drivers and greetings to friends. 2 Green Green is used to grant right-of-way to a driver or pedestrian. Use to signal pedestrians at crosswalks or drivers trying to merge into traffic. 3 Yellow Yellow warns other drivers of roadway dangers, such as slick ice or deer on the road. 4 Orange Orange indicates displeasure at a driver or pedestrian who is not employing the best roadway etiquette. For example, this would be shown to a driver who has forgotten to put on his headlights during inclement weather or who does not signal when changing lanes on the freeway. 5 Red The most severe output of Blinkers++, Red indicates extreme displeasure with a nearby vehicle or pedestrian. This individual is engaging in unsafe behavior and is creating a dangerous environment for others. Table 1. Possible gestures

4.3 Precautions

Blinkers++ has been designed for everyday use, but there are some precautions one should practice while using the system.

 Do not pound on the touch-surface as it is capable of being broken.

 Do not expose to liquids.

 Always practice safe driving techniques while using Blinkers++.

 Avoid excessive gesturing during highway travel as this increases your risk to yourself

and others on the road.

 Do not attempt to modify Blinkers++ on your own as you can permanently damage the

system. Leave that to the professionals.

ECE 477 Digital Systems Senior Design Project Rev 8/09 

5.0 Troubleshooting Instructions

While Blinkers++ has been designed with care and the intention of providing a simple, easy to use interface, it is regrettably not without flaws. The following sections will attempt to address any issues you may encounter.

5.1 Incorrect LED Pattern

If your gestures do not produce the LED patterns you expect, you may need to take some additional time to familiarize yourself with the Blinkers++ system. The multiple touch gestures require some dexterity and practice to be consistently utilized. Some common problems with using Blinkers++ include keeping your fingers too close together, swiping too quickly, and not swiping long enough.

5.2 Other Troubleshooting Tips

If your Blinkers++ system is still not giving you your expected outputs please refer to the following table for other possible solutions. See table 2 below for a list of troubleshooting tips.

Problem Possible Causes Troubleshooting Tips Input touchpad is non- 1) Low battery life 1) Ensure that touchpad is responsive 2) Bad connection powered 2) Recharge car battery 3) Take Blinkers++ to a licensed repair shop Incorrect LED Pattern 1) Bad input gesture 1) Follow instructions for 2) Damaged touch possible gestures in surface user manual 3) IC failure 2) Space fingers further apart 3) Move fingers more slowly Some LEDs don’t turn on 1) LEDs burned out 1) Make sure LEDs are 2) IC failure powered through car battery 2) Replace LEDs 3) Take Blinkers++ to a licensed repair shop User feedback LEDs turn on, 1) Noisy Wireless 1) Remove sources of RF but car LEDs are off Transmission interference such as 2) Car LEDs may not be metal objects powered 2) Replace LEDs 3) LEDs burned out 3) Make sure car battery is charged Table 2. Troubleshooting tips