28-09-2012, 11:53 AM
Digital Notebook
[attachment=34680]
Introduction
The main objective was to create a user-friendly and intuitive interface where a user can easily type in a text note and store his data. The final product, however, had capabilities vastly superior to this original objective and implemented its own “Operating System” (OS) which allowed for different software applications to be installed into the device without affecting the proper working of the other applications already present. The OS also implemented an Application Programming Interface (API) which allowed for the development of applications with worrying about hardware considerations.
Hardware
Physically, the device had a structure not unlike a commercial laptop. Hardware user interfaces consisted of a monochrome LCD screen capable of displaying text as well as graphics (128*64 pixels based on KS0108 controller) and a full sized QWERTY keypad using a ‘Combinatorial Keypad’ concept for text input. Other hardware features include a connector for supplying power via a battery pack or wall outlet and a proprietary port for interfacing with modules made specifically for this device. This proprietary port uses the standard USART interface for communication – the baud rate of which can be configured as per the requirements of the application. Due to the standardised interface and the unique nature of the device software, this port allows the device to communicate with a wide variety of other electronic objects, such as other microcontrollers, computers (via a separate RS232 serial port module which can be attached to the main device), robots, etc. The device can issue commands and receive inputs through this port.
The Operating System
The operating system works on the basis of pre-processor directives. Since the entire software has to be compiled as a whole and run on the device, the code looks for installed applications at compile time using these directives and generates the appropriate final code.
The OS maintains the application list. This list contains all information about the installed applications and is generated automatically at compile-time. At the main screen, the user is presented with this list and is given an option to select any one of the applications to use. After the application ends, the user is returned to this screen.
The OS maintains the Real Time System Clock. This clock maintains the current time and date, and also updates itself as long as the device is powered. To address power consumption concerns when the device was operated on a battery pack, the OS allows for a sleep mode – a state in which all the data would be retained, however, the code execution will pause and the LCD screen will turn off. One can return to normal functioning from this mode by pressing any key on the keypad
Conclusion
The project can be said to be a success, since the completed device vastly exceeded its vision at the start of the project. Further work on the device can focus on improving the GUI implementation of the home screen and adding more features, such as calendar, address book, etc, and adding more hardware features such as the ability to play audio files and interfacing with the computer via a USB interface.
[attachment=34680]
Introduction
The main objective was to create a user-friendly and intuitive interface where a user can easily type in a text note and store his data. The final product, however, had capabilities vastly superior to this original objective and implemented its own “Operating System” (OS) which allowed for different software applications to be installed into the device without affecting the proper working of the other applications already present. The OS also implemented an Application Programming Interface (API) which allowed for the development of applications with worrying about hardware considerations.
Hardware
Physically, the device had a structure not unlike a commercial laptop. Hardware user interfaces consisted of a monochrome LCD screen capable of displaying text as well as graphics (128*64 pixels based on KS0108 controller) and a full sized QWERTY keypad using a ‘Combinatorial Keypad’ concept for text input. Other hardware features include a connector for supplying power via a battery pack or wall outlet and a proprietary port for interfacing with modules made specifically for this device. This proprietary port uses the standard USART interface for communication – the baud rate of which can be configured as per the requirements of the application. Due to the standardised interface and the unique nature of the device software, this port allows the device to communicate with a wide variety of other electronic objects, such as other microcontrollers, computers (via a separate RS232 serial port module which can be attached to the main device), robots, etc. The device can issue commands and receive inputs through this port.
The Operating System
The operating system works on the basis of pre-processor directives. Since the entire software has to be compiled as a whole and run on the device, the code looks for installed applications at compile time using these directives and generates the appropriate final code.
The OS maintains the application list. This list contains all information about the installed applications and is generated automatically at compile-time. At the main screen, the user is presented with this list and is given an option to select any one of the applications to use. After the application ends, the user is returned to this screen.
The OS maintains the Real Time System Clock. This clock maintains the current time and date, and also updates itself as long as the device is powered. To address power consumption concerns when the device was operated on a battery pack, the OS allows for a sleep mode – a state in which all the data would be retained, however, the code execution will pause and the LCD screen will turn off. One can return to normal functioning from this mode by pressing any key on the keypad
Conclusion
The project can be said to be a success, since the completed device vastly exceeded its vision at the start of the project. Further work on the device can focus on improving the GUI implementation of the home screen and adding more features, such as calendar, address book, etc, and adding more hardware features such as the ability to play audio files and interfacing with the computer via a USB interface.