Lab 4 – Don’t Forget Me: User Manual Don’t Forget Me Development Team CS411 Janet Brunelle April 23, 2008 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Table of Contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Introduction (David) ................................................................................................... 1 Product Overview (David) .......................................................................................... 1 Product Features (Daniel) ......................................................................................... 13 3.1 DFM Virtual Instrument (VI) GUI ................................................................... 16 3.2 Motion Sensor ................................................................................................... 17 Getting Started (David) ............................................................................................... 2 4.1 Hardware ............................................................................................................. 2 4.2 Software .............................................................................................................. 3 Prototype Procedures (Hernan) ................................................................................... 3 4.1 Initialization Procedure ............................................................................................. 4 4.2 Activation Procedure ................................................................................................ 7 4.3 The Running State..................................................................................................... 8 4.4 Termination Procedure............................................................................................ 11 Error Messages (Brandon) ........................................................................................ 13 6.1 Errors by message ............................................................................................. 21 6.2 Errors by action number.................................................................................... 22 Troubleshooting (Brandon) ....................................................................................... 23 References ................................................................................................................. 26 List of Figures Figure 1. DFM system prototype major functional component diagram ......................... 14 Figure 2. The DFM system VI simulated signal ...............Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 3. The DFM system VI real sensor signal ..............Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 4. The DFM system VI no signal ...........................Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 5. The DFM system VI force on signal ..................Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 6. LabView run button ...........................................Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 7. DFM system Danger Level indicator .................Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 8. The DFM system VI microphone graph example ............ Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 9. The DFM system VI life detection sensors light indicators .... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 10. The DFM system VI temperature sensor and key fob ... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 11. The DFM system VI preempt switch ...............Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 12. LabView pause button .....................................Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 13. LabView stop button ........................................Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 14. The DFM system VI reset button (light on). ....Error! Bookmark not defined. List of Tables ii Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Table 1. Error Messages ................................................................................................... 21 3 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 1 Introduction (David) Welcome to the Don’t Forget Me system (DFM System) prototype. We thank you for your support in the prototype possess. This document includes an overview of the DFM system and the functional systems therein. It also includes information on how to use the prototype, what testing should be done, and troubleshooting information. Again we thank you for your interest in the DFM system prototype. 2 Product Overview (David) The DFM system is a life saving tool utilizing sensor technology designed to prevent an occupant from being left behind in a vehicle. The system will be implemented into vehicles at the time of their manufacture. It will most likely be powered off the internal car battery, but this will be left up to the manufacturer. In a vehicle installed with a DFM system, it will be active at any time the car is parked, including when the car itself is off. Utilizing hardware sensors such as a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, and a heartbeat sensor, the software algorithm will calculate the probability of an occupant being in the seat. It will also calculate how far the driver is from the vehicle by measuring the signal strength of a transmitter on the vehicle key (Ballentine, David 2008). When the DFM system concludes that there is an occupant in the seat, and if the driver is more than twenty feet away from the vehicle, the vehicle’s alarm will sound. There is the option to temporarily disable the alarm. A switch on the occupant’s seat will turn off the alarm. The driver or a child old enough can activate this switch. The deactivation of the switch will cause the system to enter standby mode. It will continue 1 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 to monitor the occupant, as well as the conditions inside the car. If the conditions become too hostile, the alarm will sound again. This time it will not be possible to turn the alarm off without the occupant being removed from the vehicle (Ballentine, David 2008). 3 Getting Started (David) This section discusses the steps to get started in running the DFM system prototype. The main steps are broken down into two categories. The first category is the hardware aspect and what must be done with the hardware to get the prototype set up. The second category is the software aspect. 3.1 Hardware Before the prototype can be run, certain hardware dependencies must be correctly assembled. The main hardware is the sensors used within the prototype. As the sensors can also be simulated, the connection of the actual hardware sensors is optional, but required if you want to check the hardware functionality of that particular sensor. The DAQ must also be connected to the compliant computer correctly. The following steps must be taken. Step 1: Ensure the computer used is in proper working order. Step 2: Connect the motion sensor to the DAQ. Step 3: Connect the temperature sensor to the DAQ. Step 4: Connect the pulse sensor to the DAQ. Step 5: Connect the RF receiver to the DAQ. Step 8: Connect the microphone to the computer 2 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Step 9: Connect the DAQ to the computer via USB. 3.2 Software After the hardware is correctly installed, the software must be initiated. The DFM Prototype runs inside LabVIEW. The following steps must be taken. Step 1: Correctly install LabVIEW onto the computer. Step 2: Update the computer with the DAQ drivers. Step 3: Ensure the prototype file DFM.vi is on the computer. Step 4: Run LabVIEW and open the prototype VI file. Step 5: Ensure all the sensor VI’s are correctly loaded. Step 6: Ensure the CarHorn.wav file is available in the prototype directory. Step 7: Ensure the CarHorn.wav file is correctly linked in the prototype. Step 8: Ensure there are log files for every sensor created. Step 9: Ensure the sensor log files are correctly referenced in the prototype. 4 Prototype Procedures (Hernan) This section demonstrates the procedure of how to operate the DFM system prototype GUI. The procedure is divided into four different parts: initialization procedure, activation procedure, the running state, and termination procedure of the DFM system VI. The following are procedures of how to operate the GUI. 3 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 4.1 Initialization Procedure 1. To select a simulated sensor, select the radio button that says, “Simulated”. The VI will generate random numbers meant to match the actual hardware. Figure X shows a panel where simulated signal has been selected. Figure X. The DFM system VI simulated signal 2. To select a real sensor, select the radio button that says, “Real”. The VI will use the data is generated from the actual hardware device. Figure X shows a panel where the real signal has been selected. 4 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Figure X. The DFM system VI real sensor signal 3. To force a sensor to indicate that life is detected, select the radio button that says, “Force On”. It will set the sensor data value to 100, which is high enough to make all the sensors life detection value positive. Figure X shows a panel where force on has been selected. Figure X. The DFM system VI force on signal 5 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 4. To turn off a sensor, select the radio button that says, “Force Off”. It will set the sensor data value to zero. Figure X shows no signal has been chosen. Figure X. The DFM system VI force off signal 5. To disable a sensor, select the radio button that says, “Disable”. The VI will not produce any signals to the sensor. Figure X shows no signal has been chosen. Figure X. The DFM system VI disable signal 6 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 4.2 Activation Procedure 1. Click the “Run” button on the toolbar. Figure X. LabView run button 2. The program will continue running until the danger level reaches a value greater than five. The alarm will then activate and the alarm light will turn on. Figure X shows an example where the danger level is greater than five. 7 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Figure X. DFM system Danger Level indicator 3. To restart the system, select the “Reset” button. Make sure that the reset light is off, which means reset has been done or there is no need to reset the system, before running the VI again. Figure X shows that reset light is off, which indicate that the VI is ready to run again. Figure X. The DFM system VI reset button (light off). 4.3 The Running State 1. To view each sensor’s data in the form of a graph, click the tab on the graph display. Figure X shows an example of the simulated microphone data graph. 8 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Figure X. The DFM system VI microphone graph example 2. All sensors and the key fob can be switched to the simulated, real, off, or force on state from their current state while the VI is running. 3. A life detection sensor light indicator is turned on when a sensor has detected life; otherwise, the light is off. Figure X shows an example where microphone and C02 sensors have detected life; however, the pulse, motion, and pressure sensors have not detected life. Figure X. The DFM system VI life detection sensors light indicators 9 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 4. The temperature sensor light indicator turns on when temperature is above 89 °F; however, the key fob light indicator is turned on when the key fob reading is above one. If the temperature sensor and the key fob are both simulated or real, then either one of them that goes beyond the predefined limit first will activate the alarm, of course unless the danger level is 5 or below. Figure X shows an example of both sensors that are simulated and neither is activated. The system will only activate the alarm if the danger level is above five and either is on. Figure X. The DFM system VI temperature sensor and key fob 5. To ignore the key fob reading, turn on “Preempt” switch. 10 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Figure X. The DFM system VI preempt switch 6. To pause the VI, click the “Pause” button on the toolbar. Figure X. LabView pause button 4.4 Termination Procedure To terminate the running VI, click the “Stop” button on the toolbar. 11 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Figure X. LabView stop button 1. Normally after termination, the reset light remains on. The reset light turns on to remind the user that the system must be reset before running again, so make sure to reset the system every time the reset light remains on. Just click the reset button to reset the alarm setting. Once the reset button is selected, the light will turn off. Figure X shows that the system needs to be reset before running again. Figure X. The DFM system VI reset button (light on). 12 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 5 Product Features (Daniel) You will find descriptions of the major components of the Don’t Forget Me (DFM) system prototype in this section. The individual components make up the major functional component diagram for the DFM system. The listed components include: DFM interface, motion sensor, pulse oximeter, CO2 sensor, temperature sensor, microphone, pressure sensor, and blue tooth transmitter and receiver. The Major Functional Component Diagram (MFCD) for the DFM system can be seen in figure 1. The environment sensor utilized in the DFM system can be seen in figure 2. A thermistor senses the temperature within the compartment of the vehicle. The life detection sensors consist of CO2 sensor, pressure sensor, microphone, motion sensor, and pulse oximeter. The sensors can be seen in figure 3. 13 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Figure 1. DFM system prototype major functional component diagram Figure 2-Environmental sensor for the DFM system 14 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Figure 3-Occupancy detection sensors for the DFM system 15 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 5.1 DFM Virtual Instrument (VI) GUI The DFM GUI is an interface used for the purpose of demonstrating and testing the DFM system. It has the capability of turning on the components individually. It also includes graphical components for interpreting the outputs for each sensor. 1.1. Turn on each component individually: This feature allows the user to turn on or off any of the sensors and the key fob. There is a panel for each component giving the capability of simulating the component, turning on the real component, turning off the component, and force the component on. For the simulated sensor, a set of random data points between a predefined range will be generated to provide a simulated sensor. 1.2. Capable of preempting system: This feature allows the end user to preempt the DFM system to prevent the alarm from going off. This feature is overridden when the temperature is in a safe state. There will be instances when someone will leave the vehicle, leaving an occupant behind in the vehicle. One example of this is when the driver wants to pump gas in the car. 1.3. Reset feature: This feature allows the end user to reset the DFM system. The reset button when turned on will reinitialize the DFM system. If an occupant and/or unsafe conditions are detected, the alarm will sound until the system is reset. 1.4. Numeric Display: Numeric data fields are given for each component to provide accurate readings in order determine the actual value returned from the sensor. All numeric fields are read only. Every component has a numeric field display 16 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 including a numeric field for the displaying the danger level. All signal values have a precision of three decimal places. 1.5. Light Emitting Diode (LED) Display: LED components are utilized in the DFM interface to provide a visual of when the occupancy sensors: detect an occupant; key fob is not detected; and when unsafe conditions are detected. There will also be LEDs provided to show when the system and/or alarm is on. 1.6. Amplitude vs. Time Graph: A graphical chart provides a visual display of data that otherwise would be presented in a text. A chart conveys ideas about the data that would not be readily apparent if they were displayed as text. Charts are provided for the microphone, CO2 sensor, motion sensor, pressure sensor, key fob, and temperature sensor. Each chart can be selected by selecting the indicated tab. Each chart is plotted by amplitude vs. time. 5.2 Motion Sensor The motion sensor utilized in the prototype features an ultrasonic motion sensor included in an ultrasonic movement detector kit. The kit is assembled and soldered together. The circuit uses a matched pair of 40 kHz transducer elements to detect movement up to 22 feet away. An LED is included for movement indication. Sensitivity is adjustable via control. To provide maximum stability, a Crystal locked circuit is used. The motion detector will be utilized to indicate if a movement of one inch or more has been detected which indicates occupancy. 2. CO2 Sensor: The prototype does not include a real CO2 sensor a feature, but does provide the means for easily attaching a CO2 sensor for testing and demonstrating. A CO2 sensor sub VI is incorporated into the main DFM VI so the end user can connect 17 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 the device to an open channel on the Data Acquisition System (DAQ). Furthermore, the CO2 sensor can be simulated via the sensor panel on the DFM interface. 3. Temperature Sensor: For measuring linear temperature change, a linear thermister will be utilized for the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is a key feature in order to detect harmful conditions in which the car can acquire extreme temperature changes that can be harmful to living things. The thermistor sensor includes two thermistor elements that when used with a resistor set will provide linear resistance output over a specific temperature range 4. Pressure Sensor: The prototype does not include a real pressure sensor as a feature, but does provide the means for easily attaching a pressure sensor for testing and demonstrating purposes. A pressure sensor sub VI is written into the main DFM VI so the end user can connect the device to an open channel on the DAQ. Furthermore, the pressure sensor can be simulated via the sensor panel on the DFM interface. 5. Pulse Oximeter: The pulse oximeter is a feature included to indicate life detected within the compartment of a vehicle. The pulse oximeter is used to simulate a heartbeat sensor. The pulse oximeter indirectly measures the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood sample and any changes in blood volume. It has a small photodiode. This is part of a clip that is attached to an individual’s finger. Using the ratio of absorption of light, the oxy/deoxyhemoglobin ratio can be calculated. Normal ranges are from 90 % to 100 %. 6. Microphone: The capability of detecting noise is a feature of the DFM system. A computer microphone is used for noise detection. The microphone will check the 18 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 intensity of noise in the vehicle. In the event that the noise is above a predefined decibel level, the signal from the microphone will indicate life. 7. Blue Tooth Transmitter and Receiver: A Bluetooth transmitter and receiver are utilized in order to simulate a key fob and is a feature included in the DFM system prototype. Bluetooth is a short-range radio frequency (RF) technology that operates at 2.4 GHz and is capable of transmitting voice and data. The effective range of Bluetooth devices is 32 feet (10 meters). The transmitter sends a signal when life has been detected or unsafe conditions has been detected. The receiver will then receive the signal and sound off an alarm. 8. Produce a Car Alarm Sound: An alarm is a feature provided in the DFM system prototype. The car alarm will be represented by a car alarm wave file. The wave file will be executed every time life or unsafe conditions has been determined. 9. Detecting Occupancy: For providing occupancy detection, an array of sensors is utilized and a life detection algorithm is used. The life detection sensors include: motion, pulse oximeter, microphone, CO2, and pressure. Each sensor has a preassigned value. By summing the values from all of the sensors, a total value of five or higher will indicate that life has been detected. The values assigned to each sensor includes: a 4 for the pulse oximeter sensor, a 3 for the motion and CO2 sensor, 2 for the pressure sensor, and 1 for the microphone. When life has been determined a signal is sent from the Bluetooth transmitter to the Bluetooth receiver then generating an alarm. 10. Detecting Unsafe Conditions: For detecting unsafe conditions, a temperature sensor is utilized along with an unsafe condition algorithm. The temperature sensor will 19 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 constantly monitor the temperature with the compartment of the vehicle and look for temperatures rising above 89 º F and temperatures below 31º F. The environment is determined hazardous, if the temperature meets this requirement. After unsafe conditions are determined, the transmitter will send a signal to the receiver representing the key fob, and sounds an alarm simulated by a car alarm wave file. 6 Error Messages (Brandon) All error messages generated by the DFM system are strictly related to configuration and setup of the system. Since user input is restricted to a set of predefined states in the DFM algorithm, it is unlikely that the user will encounter a system error on a properly configured system. This section describes errors that the DFM system may produce. (This space intentionally left blank.) Action Error Message 1. Log file not found or present “Error 1 occurred at Set File Position in log.vi-> on the system. Pressure.vi->DFM.vi” 2. Alarm sound file not found “Error 7 occurred at Sound File Read Open.vi->Sound or present on the system. File Info (path).vi->Alarm.vi->DFM.vi,” 20 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 3. Microphone device not found “Error 4800 occurred at Sound Input Configure.vi ->Continuous Sound Input.vi” or connected. 4. Too few sensors are active to “Error 5000 Not enough sensors connected to detect life.” detect life. 5. Both the temperature sensor “Error 5001 Driver and temperature detection not and key fob detection has possible.” been shut off. 6. The DAQ has been “Error 201003 occured at DAQmx Create Channel disconnected or not present (AI-Voltage-Basic).vi” on the system. Table 1. Error Messages 6.1 Errors by message Error 1: This error means that a file is not present on the system that the DFM system needs to run. This error is most likely to occur when a log file for a particular sensor cannot be found. Either the path to the file is incorrect or the file has been deleted. Error 7: This error means that the sound file that the alarm system uses is not present on the system. Either the path to the file is incorrect or the file has been deleted. Error 4800: This error message means that the microphone cannot be found on the system. If the computer needs an external microphone it should be connected. If there is an internal microphone the drivers must be properly installed. 21 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Error 5000: This error means that too many sensors are deactivated for the life detection value to be 6 or higher. Therefore no combination of life detection sensors will be able to detect an occupant. Error 5001: This error means that both the temperature sensor and the key fob device are disabled. The DFM will be unable to determine if the situation is dangerous despite the life detection value. Error 201003: This error means that the DAQ is not detected and therefore cannot be used with the DFM system. The correct DAQ drivers must be installed and the DAQ must be properly connected to the computer. 6.2 Errors by action number 1. Log file not found or present on the system. A log file must be created for one of the sensors. The DFM system will not run unless a blank or non-blank log file for each sensor is present. The system will halt and must be restarted. 2. Alarm sound file not found or present on the system. This error will only occur when the alarm system tries to activate. The path to the sound file must be correctly defined and the sound file must be present on the system. The system will halt and must be restarted. 3. Microphone device not found or connected. The error will only occur when the user select the real microphone. This error will not occur if an external microphone is connected to the computer the DFM system is running on and the drivers for the microphone are correctly installed. The system will halt and must be restarted. 22 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 4. Too few sensors are active to detect life. This error will occur if there are too few sensors active for the life detection value to be 5 or greater. The system will halt and must be restarted. 5. Both the temperature sensor and key fob detection has been shut off. If both devices are disabled the system will be incapable to detecting a dangerous situation. The system will halt and must be restarted. 6. The DAQ has been disconnected or not present on the system. A DAQ must be present and connected to the computer. The DAQ configurations must be corrected to reflect the DAQ connected to the computer. The system will halt and must be restarted. 7 Troubleshooting (Brandon) This section attempts to address common concerns a user may have regarding the DFM system. The concerns user may have are written in query form. The solutions were compiled by the DFM developers, and should give the user a better understanding of the DFM system. Vehicle Owner o Problem: When I start my car a light comes on with the logo of the Don't Forget Me system. It stays on until I take my keys out of the ignition. Is this supposed to happen? o Solution: The Don't Forget Me system is designed to bother the driver as seldom as possible. If the system light is alerting the driver it can only be because the system is in need of servicing. Please consult your 23 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 automotive dealer to have your system repaired. o Problem: What do I do once the alarm system is activated? o Solution: To deactivate the alarm system, depress the reset switch at the rear of the vehicle. If the emergency situation is not resolved the alarm is be activated again in 15 seconds. o Problem: I often drive with others who are perfectly capable of leaving the car when the temperature becomes dangerous. Sometimes I must leave adult passengers in the car so that I can perform a task as they wait. Unfortunately, the alarm activates each time I leave the car. Is there a way I can shut the system off so it does not bother me about my passengers? o Solution: The DFM system was designed to help those who are incapable of leaving when the situation becomes dangerous. If the driver sincerely believes the passenger is capable of leaving the vehicle on their own they may use the “preemptive reset” feature. The preemptive reset prevents the alarm from activating when life is detected and the driver's key fob is not present, but will not work when the temperature reaches a dangerous level. To activate the preemptive reset depress the reset switch before leaving the vehicle. o Problem: I have no need for the DFM system in my vehicle. Can I leave the preemptive reset on permanently or completely disable the DFM system? o Solution: No, the DFM system disables the preemptive reset when the 24 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 temperature reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or when the engine is turned on. Disabling the system should only be done by your automotive dealer, and is strongly discouraged. o Problem: How long will the DFM system alarm run if an emergency is detected? o Solution: The alarm will be activated from the moment an emergency is detected until the reset switch is depressed. Even if the situation is no longer harmful the alarm will continue until the reset is pressed. o Problem: When the alarm is activated I press the reset switch to shut it off. However, if the alarm comes back on 15 seconds later each time. How do I fix this? o Solution: If there is no one in the vehicle at the time the alarm activates, the system needs to be serviced by your automotive dealer. If the alarm was activated the first time due to an actual emergency, there was a 15 second period of time given to the driver to resolve the dangerous situation. If the situation remains to be dangerous to the passenger(s) the alarm will continue to activate within 15 seconds of the alarm being pressed. o Problem: I bring my pet with me when I drive. Do I have to worry about the alarm system activating when I leave a pet in the vehicle? o Solution: Yes, the DFM is not sophisticated enough to distinguish humans from other animals. There is a high likelihood that your pet could activate the system’s alarm. To prevent the alarm from activating you may use the 25 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 preemptive reset feature, which will make no difference if the temperature inside the vehicle becomes dangerous. The developers of the DFM system strongly discourage leaving any person or animal unattended in a vehicle. 8 References This section provides definitions and further explanations for terms used in the document. If a term uses an acronym, it is spelled out in this section. This section is meant to assist the reader in understanding the terminology used in this document. Accelerometer: A device that measures the force on a sensor, primarily vibrations. Variations in the accelerometers readings could be analyzed and find a specific pattern such as a heart beat or motion along a spatial axis. Accuracy: The sensors ability to determine a correct result. Not to be confused with precision, the exactness of the sensor’s result. Such as the thermometer reads 75.001 degrees. Which is a precise value with +/- .001, but inaccurate given that the temperature is actually 90 degrees. Algorithm: A series of finite instructions that are given a particular order. CO2: Carbon Dioxide, chemical combination for air that is exhaled. The change in the air composition from low to high levels of carbon dioxide may indicate human respiration. These sensors can be infrared gas sensors or chemical gas sensors. CPU: Central Processing Unit, the device inside of a computer that executes machine code (runs programs). 26 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 DAQ: National Instruments USB-6008 or USB-6009 Data Acquisition Device, a device that is used to send data to a computer using an external interface, usually connected to proprietary hardware. DFM: Don’t Forget Me, a system designed to prevent harm to humans and animals by detecting life and high temperatures in a vehicle. GUI: Stands for Graphical User Interface. A display on a computer that uses graphics to display content and can allow user manipulation. Heartbeat Sensor: A sensor that detects tiny vibrations and determines if they match the signal of a heartbeat. Hyperthermia: The state at which the human body is no longer able to cool down through natural processes. The effort the body takes to reduce heat only causes one’s temperature to rise due to the advanced state heat exposure. Interoperability: Interoperability is the ability of diverse systems to work together (inter-operate). Key Fob: An item attached to a key ring or key chain, used either for decoration or to assist the owner in the act of authentication. LabVIEW: Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Engineering Workbench, platform and development environment for a visual programming language created by National Instruments. A graphical programming tool allowing for the display and acquisition of data from a great deal of devices including external hardware. Microcontroller: A microprocessor that is optimized for self-sufficient systems, usually runs on low power, and does not require a complex set of hardware. 27 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Motion sensor: Sensor for detecting movement or motion. This sensor could use radio frequency or changes in light to detect motion. Pressure sensor: Sensor for detecting change in pressure. Proprietary Hardware: A device that is designed for specific purpose and lacks generic qualities that would allow it to be used outside of its original implementation. Pulse Oximeter: A medical device that is used to measure oxygen saturation in one’s bloodstream. The arterial blood vessels expand and contract with each heart beat changing the oxygen concentration which allows the device to measure pulse rate. Radio Frequency (RF): Any frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space. Many wireless technologies are based on RF field propagation. Respiration: Breathing in order to bring oxygen to the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide. The act of respiration reduces the amount of oxygen and increases the amount of carbon dioxide enriched. Sensor: Any device designed to measure conditions or ambient pressures and temperatures. A sensor is electronic in nature and designed to send a voltage signal to computer device. Thermistor (Temperature sensor): A thermally sensitive resistor that produces a difference in electrical resistance when a change in temperature occurs. Universal Serial Bus (USB): USB is a serial bus standard to interface devices. USB is intended by design to allow peripherals to be connected using a single standardized interface socket and utilizing plug and play capabilities. 28 Don’t Forget Me - Lab 4 Virtual instrument (VI): Is an object that represents an instrument which contains the behaviors for which the instrument produces. A VI can be designed using Labview software that utilizes G code. By programming the input and output criteria as well as the logic of a LabVIEW file a virtual instrument can be created. 29