Adapted Radio Controller

Engineering Good

January 18, 2023

Problem Statement: Device to enable people with disabilities to access and listen to the radio easily to stay connected with the world.

Radios are an important device which allows people to get the latest updates on news around the world and to relax their mind by listening to music. There are many switches on the radio, for example the on and off switch and the volume controllers. However, people with limited motor functions may have difficulty controlling the switches. Hence, some of them may have difficulties accessing and using the device. As more features of a radio are being developed, many radios in the market do not consider the needs of people with disabilities. How might we design a radio to allow people with disabilities to access and control the radio in a safe manner without having to operate the tiny switches on it.

Nature of Problems

Self-care

Education or Learning

Leisure Activities

Sensory Feedback

Device/Computer Access

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

Home Environment

User Groups

Muscular Dystrophy

Cerebral Palsy

Physical Disability

Children

Adults

Elderly

Visual Impairment

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

View Problem Statement

Solution

At a minimum, the functions of the controller can ON/OFF, and change the channel a Radio paired with the adapted controller.

This is done through the integration of several technologies:

- Proximity Sensor Hardware was electrically paired with an Arduino Controller to sense beneficiary hand motion which triggers to remote

- Arduino Infra-Red (IR) Library which was used to read / De-code the accompanied IR remote that came with the AM/FM radio

- Arduino IR Transmitter/ Receiver was the hardware used to read and transmit IR signals to control the Radio

- Hacking an off-the-shelf Radio Frequency (RF) Toy car remote controller and Receiver and electrically pairing it with the Pins of a normal Arduino microcontroller

Refer to attached Overview Schematic. There are 2 separate equipment in the set-up. A Transmitter set-up and a Receiver Set-up. They communicate with each other Via Radio Frequency (RF)

Transmitter Side:

The motion of the beneficiary over the proximity sensor, sends a digital “HIGH” signal to Arduino. We programed the Arduino to turn on an LED for visual reference and sends a Digital “HIGH” to 1 of 3 DI pins of the hacked RF Toy Car RF Controller. This send a RF signal to the Toy Car RF Receiver.

Receiver Side:

We linked 3 DO pins of the Toy Car Receiver Chip to 3 DI pins of the Arduino controller. The Arduino Controller on the Receiver side constantly scans the 3 DI pins. When reading a digital “HIGH” it will send an NEC IR signal to change the channel of the Radio via the IR transmitter.

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Engineering Good