Universal Remote Control for Smartphones Development of a communication station Master of Science Thesis in the Master Degree Program, Product Development ANDERS GÖRANSON CHRIS NILSSON Department of Product and Production Development Division of Product Development CHALMERS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Göteborg, Sweden, 2011 Universal Remote Control for Smartphones Development of a communication station ANDERS GÖRANSON CHRIS NILSSON Department of Product and Production Development CHALMERS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Göteborg, Sweden 2011 Universal Remote Control for Smartphones Development of a communication station ANDERS GÖRANSON CHRIS NILSSON © ANDERS GÖRANSON, CHRIS NILSSON 2011 Department of Product and Production Development Chalmers University of Technology SE-412 96 Göteborg Sweden Telephone + 46 (0)31-772 1000 Cover: The images on the cover show the four promising design concepts for the intended product. More information about the concepts can be found in section 5.2.1. The report is printed by Chalmers Reproservice Göteborg, Sweden 2011 Universal Remote Control for Smartphones Development of a communication station ANDERS GÖRANSON CHRIS NILSSON Department of Product and Production Development Chalmers University of Technology ABSTRACT This master thesis report describes the concept of a universal remote control for smartphones, with a focus on the development of a communication station with hardware needed in order for such a product to function as intended. The development starts with a “blank canvas”, and the resulting product functionality and design is based on an extensive market analysis conducted at the start of the project, including an analysis of current trends and competitors, as well as the thoughts and ideas of approximately 300 potential customers. The development process is based on the methods taught during the two years of the master program Product Development at Chalmers University of Technology. The project ends with the construction of a prototype able to demonstrate the product’s functionality. In addition to this, a set of design concepts are developed in order to come up with a product that people would want to place visibly in their living room. The product is developed in close collaboration with another master thesis group, focusing on the development of an end user interface in the form of an Iphone application. Keywords: product development, smartphone, universal remote control, embedded system TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Goal ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Delimitations ................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3.1 Project time interval ................................................................................................................... 2 1.3.2 Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 2 1.4 Layout of the report ..................................................................................................................................... 2 2 Technology within remote controlling ............................................................................................ 5 2.1 Infrared light ................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.1 Using IR for communication ................................................................................................... 6 2.1.2 The Philips Pronto protocol .................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Communication using simple radio frequency signals ................................................................ 7 2.3 Communication over wireless networks (Wi-Fi) ........................................................................... 8 2.4 Electronic components needed .............................................................................................................. 8 2.4.1 Microcontroller ............................................................................................................................. 8 2.4.2 IR diode and receiver ................................................................................................................. 8 2.4.3 Radio transmitter and receiver ............................................................................................. 9 2.4.4 Wi-Fi transceiver ......................................................................................................................... 9 2.5 Programming languages ......................................................................................................................... 10 2.5.1 Assembler..................................................................................................................................... 10 2.5.2 C ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 3 Product development methodology in theory ............................................................................ 11 3.1 Product development processes ......................................................................................................... 11 3.1.1 The generic product development process ................................................................... 11 3.2 Methods for planning ............................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.1 Gantt chart ................................................................................................................................... 13 3.3 Methods for performing a market analysis .................................................................................... 13 3.3.1 Describing the environment using a SWOT-analysis................................................ 14 3.3.2 Researching user needs ......................................................................................................... 14 3.3.3 Defining requirements and needs according to the KANO model ...................... 20 3.4 Using a requirement specification ...................................................................................................... 21 3.5 Product concept development ............................................................................................................. 22 3.5.1 How to generate concepts .................................................................................................... 23 3.5.2 How to select a superior concept ...................................................................................... 25 3.6 Methods for detail design ....................................................................................................................... 28 3.6.1 Flowcharts for programming .............................................................................................. 28 3.6.2 CES – Cambridge Engineering Selector ........................................................................... 28 3.6.3 CAD models ................................................................................................................................. 29 3.7 Methods for testing and refining ......................................................................................................... 29 3.7.1 Prototypes .................................................................................................................................... 29 3.7.2 Testing ........................................................................................................................................... 30 4 Project approach .................................................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Adopted processes and methods ........................................................................................................ 31 4.2 Physical arrangements ............................................................................................................................ 31 4.3 Roles and responsibilities in the project ......................................................................................... 32 4.4 Project plan ................................................................................................................................................... 32 5 Execution and results ........................................................................................................................... 35 5.1 Market analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 35 5.1.1 Trend analysis ............................................................................................................................ 35 5.1.2 SWOT-analysis