Commuity input on biothem reader design
As mentioned in another thread, I'm building a new reader for the biothem chip (yes, I created a new account, I decided I should use my name rather than a handle if I'm going to be selling stuff), since the only current readers are very animal oriented and not ideal when using the chip in humans.
The current system I've designed consists of a coil antenna, an RFID decoder chip, an arduino nano, a bluetooth module and a battery. also an android app for viewing the data and configuring the reader.
Since I figure there will probably be at least a few people who want this system, I should ask exactly what people would like to see in the final design.
Feel free to suggest anything, but things I'm particularly interested in hearing about are:
case shape/design. currently the plan is to 3d print cases. right now I'm just dealing with a flat-ish rectangle, with slots on two sides where a strap can be fitted to hold the reader in place on an arm or leg. any suggestions?
battery life/size/shape/weight. naturally longer run time is better, but having a larger battery costs more, takes more space and is heavier. what trade off do people want? one thing to point out is there are two modes of operation: 1) only read the temperature when the user presses a button, 2) read the temperature every few seconds/minutes (as configured by the user), the more frequently you read the temperature, the more power is used. personally I feel it would be good to run for around 12 hours, while reading once a minute, but that requires a reasonably large battery. thoughts?
other possibilities which might be cool, but may make the system cost more, for now I'm not planning to include these features, but if there is enough interest I will, and for software features I can add them later if people want them.
standalone mode: rather than only sending the data to a smartphone, the reader could have added storage to save values read, and transmit them in bulk later.
apps for other OSes: right now I'm only working on android, but I could build apps for iOS/windows/linux etc. apps are free, but I'll need to change more for the reader to account for the time for me to build each app. I will opensource the android app, so if you'd rather, you can port it to other devices yourself.
built in display: currently the only way to view the temperature value is on the smartphone, I could add a small display to the reader to allow reading value without needing a smartphone.
more ways to export data: currently the app lets you view temperature values, save them to a file and send them in an email. I could add things like facebook sharing etc. personally I don't want that kind of feature, but maybe other people do?
depending on which features we go with, I'm hoping to keep the price at no more than $100, but if people want every possible feature, it will cost more.
This is your chance to choose the reader design, tell me what you want and I'll try to make it happen
The current system I've designed consists of a coil antenna, an RFID decoder chip, an arduino nano, a bluetooth module and a battery. also an android app for viewing the data and configuring the reader.
Since I figure there will probably be at least a few people who want this system, I should ask exactly what people would like to see in the final design.
Feel free to suggest anything, but things I'm particularly interested in hearing about are:
case shape/design. currently the plan is to 3d print cases. right now I'm just dealing with a flat-ish rectangle, with slots on two sides where a strap can be fitted to hold the reader in place on an arm or leg. any suggestions?
battery life/size/shape/weight. naturally longer run time is better, but having a larger battery costs more, takes more space and is heavier. what trade off do people want? one thing to point out is there are two modes of operation: 1) only read the temperature when the user presses a button, 2) read the temperature every few seconds/minutes (as configured by the user), the more frequently you read the temperature, the more power is used. personally I feel it would be good to run for around 12 hours, while reading once a minute, but that requires a reasonably large battery. thoughts?
other possibilities which might be cool, but may make the system cost more, for now I'm not planning to include these features, but if there is enough interest I will, and for software features I can add them later if people want them.
standalone mode: rather than only sending the data to a smartphone, the reader could have added storage to save values read, and transmit them in bulk later.
apps for other OSes: right now I'm only working on android, but I could build apps for iOS/windows/linux etc. apps are free, but I'll need to change more for the reader to account for the time for me to build each app. I will opensource the android app, so if you'd rather, you can port it to other devices yourself.
built in display: currently the only way to view the temperature value is on the smartphone, I could add a small display to the reader to allow reading value without needing a smartphone.
more ways to export data: currently the app lets you view temperature values, save them to a file and send them in an email. I could add things like facebook sharing etc. personally I don't want that kind of feature, but maybe other people do?
depending on which features we go with, I'm hoping to keep the price at no more than $100, but if people want every possible feature, it will cost more.
This is your chance to choose the reader design, tell me what you want and I'll try to make it happen
Comments
As far as the mode of operation, I personally see myself spot-checking with it as opposed to having constantly running feedback.
Setting up output on the device itself could mitigate the need for smartphone apps. I'm already in the Android boat though, so sticking with the current app-based system works fine for me.
The case sounds perfect. Simple and doesn't interfere with function. I can always dress it up with stickers and such if I want to get fancy :)
I would like to see this powered by a standard 9V battery. 9V rechargeable batteries already exist and I can buy one at the gas station if I have a dead battery. The folks who only want to spot check don't have to shell out the cash for a rechargeable while people who want to steam five times per minute can carry all the batteries they want. If you don't have to factor the cost of a LiPO battery it will be easier to keep it under $100.
I think these are usually implanted in the upper arm, right? Here is a thought about size/shape. If the antenna can be made roughly the same size as an iPhone it would be easy to order an iPhone sport armband to hold it in place comfortably. The rest of the device would reside outside of the case. Imagine hanging a man's bi-fold wallet out of a pocket.
I have used 16x2 character displays with Arduinos in the past and they're easy to program. Not to mention cheap.
@BirdMachine What do you have in your Bag of Many Wondrous Things?
As of this moment, I'm thinking of it more as a spot-check type of thing rather than a continuous scan, but my opinions on that could change with time. I'm an Android user so your current method of display works for me but I would be interested in an onboard display for the reader, too.
Yes, I also envisaged spot checking over continuous monitoring, which to me suggests the need for built-in display. I think
a screen is needed to make it quick to check temperature at any time, if you need to get your phone and load the app, it takes time, admittedly not much, depends if that would bother you. Obviously it could still stream to a smart phone.
How feasible is a clip-on display within the same budget?
@aviin SfM are testing the biothem chip implanted in the thigh, so far there have been no issues with any placement tried, as far as we know it's fine the put it wherever you want.
@Everyone the display itself is cheap, totally within budget, I'm just a little worried about how much work it will be to assemble. But given how lots of people want this, I'll add it to the design.
I do like the idea of a small handheld devices though, something slim and streamlined. But that would also mean small coils like you said. As far as batteries go, would something like a cell phone battery work? It's already pretty small and would last for quite a long time. And since the batteries are standard it would be easy to pick up another. But if this amount of current isn't needed something with a smaller size would be ideal.
Here's something to maybe consider regarding design. Is it feasible (or even worthwhile) to add a small port where a larger antenna coil could be plugged into the device? I'm not sure of the need here, though. If it were an option to buy a secondary larger coil with the device, though, I'd buy it.
Now I could be horribly wrong but couldn't you just sit the coil down on top of the battery in whatever housing you are using? think of the way wireless chargers are positioned in phones.
Along the same line of phones, its not a 2d shape, remember you have depth to play with. people will feel length and width changes in their phones, but a change in depth? hardly.
How thick will this thing be? a cm maybe? I know those boards aren't that thick, stack that coil on top of that battery, slide some protective film between those boards and make one stack of two with that long board running along the side in a single stack. I would think that would sit right about at a cm thick.
I would take the bottom left board, get rid of those header pins, and stack it on top of the board on the top right. Than take that and run it along the top edge of the battery pictured. Take the top left board and run it along one of the side edges of the battery. and take your coil and place it on top of your battery/board surface. Place in your chosen packaging and tada! you may even have enough space to fit a bigger coil like I said depending on what the next size up is.