Smart device:
"Eshtry m3ak wenta rage3" !
Project Ideation
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
Have YOU ever experienced the feeling of getting back to home, dreaming of a warm meal or your favorite snack, but... guess what? You open the refrigerator and it's empty 🤦♂️
Now you are whispering to yourself "If only I had remembered".... Well, No Worries! This device is here for your next scrumptious meal!
I'm thrilled to introduce you to .....'Drums beats' 🥁🥁 ...
''Eshtry m3ak wenta rage3'' Smart device!
It's your personal assistance that guarantees you don't run out of stock of food, spare parts, and any other things you care about! It will remind You, the user, to buy and replenish your stock of given monitored item(s).
As a supply chain professional, I'm inspired by the concept of 'Reorder Point Planning' for inventory replenishment which is universal concept and can be applicable to any situation from a typical workshop to your grocery stock at home!
To know more about similar project idea, please visit this link and this paper.
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
It's an Arduino-based alerting device that displays an alarm (light emitted or buzzer sound) as a minimum feature or sends a message (via Bluetooth or email) as a complete/advanced feature when the stock of the desired items reaches a certain pre-set limit. Basically, a set of weight sensors (Load Cells) will determine the current weight of the items stock, Arduino will process the signal sent from load cells and will calculate the correspondent number of them given a certain calibration. Eventually, an alarm will be triggered (minimum) or message will be sent to your mobile via Bluetooth or email (advanced) to remind you to buy a bottle of milk, for example or any other item(s).
Besides, it can also provide an on-site notification message via LCD display accompanied with flashing lights (LED) and/or sound via a buzzer.
It has two modes that user can switch between:
Set-up mode: Basically, it is a calibration process when user puts a single unit of the desired items to be weighted and then weight is registered within the device's memory.
Arduino will calculate the total number of present items in device's container through dividing the total items net weight by the single unit's weight.
In addition, reorder level will be entered by user in terms of items count.
Running mode: Arduino will continuously compare the current number of items in the container to the preset reorder level. If the on-hand reaches the reorder level, an alert shall be activated.
After turning the device on, a typical dialogue statements within setup mode can be as follows:
1- Put a single item in the container.
*weight is displayed on LCD.
2-Save weight? Yes/No
*Yes - weight saved!
3-Define reorder level (total number of items)
4-Save
5-Fill the container of your items.
*Total net weight will be translated into total count of items present in the container, and continuously compared to reorder level.
6- All registered data (single item weight - reorder level) can be reset.
7-Password included to avoid unauthorized changes to the registered data.
Typical Electronic Control components of the device
Image Source via link
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts
The enclosure of the device will be sketched and extruded using Fusion 360, fabricated by laser cutting, and finally will be assembled using joints (tabs, screws and nuts). The container where monitored items are located can be fabricated by 3D printing or laser cutting as well as the letters of the device's name can be 3D printed and attached to the enclosure.
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
Input type: weight sensing
The weight of the monitored items located in the device's container will be detected using a set of load cells.
Through a simple calibration process of the approximate weight of a single item, total number of present items shall be counted given the net weight of the total load at the container. The weight of the container will considered as a 'dead load'.
Input type: User Input: Tactile input==> selector
==> Num Pad (For entering password and reorder level value)
User can switch between two operation modes; set-up and running modes.
Set-up mode: Basically, it is a calibration process when user puts a single unit of the desired items to be weighted and then weight is registered within the device's memory.
Arduino will calculate the total number of present items in device's container through dividing the total items net weight by the single unit's weight.
In addition, reorder level will be entered by user in terms of items count.
Running mode: Arduino will continuously compare the current number of items in the container to the preset reorder level. If the on-hand reaches the reorder level, an alert shall be activated.
After turning the device on, a typical dialogue statements within setup mode can be as follows:
1- Put a single item in the container.
*weight is displayed on LCD.
2-Save weight? Yes/No
*Yes - weight saved!
3-Define reorder level (total number of items)
4-Save
5-Fill the container of your items.
*Total net weight will be translated into total count of items present in the container, and continuously compared to reorder level.
6- All registered data (single item weight - reorder level) can be reset.
7-Password included to avoid unauthorized changes to registered data.
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
Given a pre-set value (reorder level) of items weight that is correspondent to a determined number of them, a notification shall be triggered. This output can take several forms as follows:
On-site notifications-offline options (Minimum design features): Red LED flasher-Buzzer sound -Message displayed on LCD
Remote notification-online (Complete and nice to have features): A message sent via Bluetooth or email to mobile phone.
Brain
Arduino Uno will process the input weight signal, compare it to the registered items' weight/count. If the current number of items is below the set level, Arduino will trigger the output signals.
Power Management
The device will be powered with an adapted AC power source (9V adaptor will be used)
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
Just received a notification on my 'cardboard' mobile phone😂 ... Aha! I have to buy some candies 👌
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
Action concept: A notification is triggered to inform user when stock of the monitored items reaches a certain level
Action: Red/Yellow/Green light (LED) and
Buzzer sound and
Message displayed on LCD/ BT Terminal Application
Sensing: Weight sensing: detecting current number of items by load cells.
User Inputs
1- Single Item Weight (BT Terminal app.)
2-Load cell taring via pushbutton.
3-User Input: Inserting reorder level; via code lines.
Complete User Features
User Input: Password - Single Item Weight-Reorder Level: via key (Num) pad.
Mode switch: via a slide switch to select mode.
Password insertion for setup mode: via keypad
Nice-to-have User Features
Action: An email or message will be sent to mobile phone via Ethernet/Wi-Fi
7- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
8- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
Load Cell 5Kg (Weight Sensor - Strain Gauge)
1
https://ram-e-shop.com/product/kit-load-cell-5kg/
HX711 – Weight Scale Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) 24-bit
1
https://ram-e-shop.com/product/kit-hx711-adc/
Arduino Uno
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Set of jumpers wires
Multiple
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
LCD
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Keypad (4x3)
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Bluetooth module HC-05
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Keypad (4x3)
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Set of resistances
Multiple
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Keypad (4x3)
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Buzzer
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
LED
3
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
ON/OFF Switch
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Slide Switch (ON/OFF Switch with lamp - 3 Terminals)
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Breadboard
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
LED mount
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Adaptor 5V (DC)
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)
Adaptor socket mount
1
Already purchased (in electronics kit)