Projects

InfoCanvas

Infocanvas is a kiosk kind of device which can serve multiple purposes such as a information desk, an interactive terminal used for e-learning activities, or with a minor tweak, even a device which displays remote sensor data acquired over LAN. The versatility of the device and its ability to be used for multiple applications is possible due to the use of a custom Qt powered Linux distribution been configured for it. The device provides an interface to the user via a touchscreen and a keyboard. Currently the device has been demonstrated primarily as an information desk and a remote sensor data display terminal.

The InfoCanvas consists of a Qt based application which utilizes Qt libs compiled for an ARM based SBC (mini2440). The kernel has been customized to include drivers for a 12.1 inch screen. The application is configured to be started at bootup. It renders a WebKit based Web wiew wich displays data fetched from another tiny ARM based sensor server and displays it on screen. Feeling confused already? Click Here to know more about this project.

MultiView

The objective of this project was to develop a multi parameter display device for industrial applications. The device can take input from any field transmitter (4-20mA) and can display the corresponding readings on 7 segment display array. Here is an option to calibrate the device with upper and lower set point according to the type of transmitter (flow, temp, pressure, level) The device is based on a PIC16F873 uC which has an on-chip ADC.

The device first dies I/V conversion by dropping the 4-20mA current on a 250 ohm resistor to get a 1-5V signal. THe signal is then given to the ADC for conversion and then scaled and displayed on the 7 segment. A 4×4 keypad is provided through which the user can set which parameter to display and set the range of the parameter (lower and upper set point).