Criterion A (Inquiring and Analysing)

Criterion A (Inquiring and Analyzing)

Introduction: 

In this project, I am going to create a technological invention for showcasing at the Tech Fair. I am deciding on what to create for my project. These are my ideas:

1. I am going to create an electronic alarm for this idea. I will be creating this in order to show how the alarm works and how it is beneficial to the community in terms of security. This project idea is made by assembling the parts from the Raspberry Pi Projects Kit. It consists of a tiny computer called Raspberry Pi where you can write computer programs, build simple circuits, etc. This Projects Kit is not only used for making alarms. As your ideas become stronger, you will be able to create more extraordinary projects. 
2. My second idea is to build an all-terrain vehicle (mini). Many people have problems when travelling on different terrains. This project will also be built to show how all- terrain vehicles travel on different terrains using special wheels. This will be built by using the Lego Mindstorms Kit which consists of a programming block called the NXT Brick. 

Chosen Project: Electronic Alarm. Since this is the first time I will be creating a project, I want to start with something interesting, involving circuit boards, LED's, etc. 

Introduction (Electronic Alarm): 

I am going to create an electronic alarm for this idea. I will be creating this in order to show how the alarm works and how it is beneficial to the community in terms of security. This project idea is made by assembling the parts from the Raspberry Pi Projects Kit. It consists of a tiny computer called Raspberry Pi where you can write computer programs, build simple circuits, etc. This Projects Kit is not only used for making alarms. As your ideas become stronger, you will be able to create more extraordinary projects. I will be using the Raspberry Pi Kit. This kit contains the basic knowledge of computer programming and electronic skills in which a person can use sensors, lights, sounds, images, etc. to create interactive, innovative projects.

I will be creating this for my community, The Greens. They require the use of inbuilt alarms in their doors, safes, etc. so that no thief can steal anything and will be exposed at once it is triggered. Even though Greens has a high level of security, thieves are still able to enter. They finally had enough and decided to call me to deal with this threat. In order for this to happen, I must consult with the manager of the community for the allowing of the installation of these alarms in people's houses. In addition, I will also do an interview with a resident on how the overall performance of the product was. 

Examples of the applications of the Raspberry Pi includes making a video game, wirelessly control your stereo, wireless extender, etc.

Primary and Secondary Research:

Primary Research	Secondary Research
I will interview the manager of the community, The Greens, for the installation of alarms.	I will research about Raspberry Pi and the common examples using this circuit board.
I will interview a resident on the overall performance of the invention.	I will research on how to create different projects using Raspberry Pi.
I will read books and other literary sources on computer programming.	I will check the prices of this Kit on the internet.

Research Plan:

Task	Primary Research/Secondary Research	Reason for the research	Date
Raspberry Pi setup
Get the Raspberry Pi (Model b) Kit	I will go to the computer market and gather the parts required to build the project. Or I might buy the whole kit on the internet which will be better as an alternative but will cost more than the one in the market.	I want these parts so that I can build my project. I can also search for extra parts that will further enhance my invention.	25th January
NOOBS (New Out of the Box System)	I will check on the internet on how to install the NOOBS file into my SD card.	By installing this system, I will be presented with a variety of software from which I can download.	2nd February
Displaying the Graphical User Interface	I will check on the internet on how to connect the Pi to the HDMI monitor or TV.	When the Pi boots into the device, I will be presented with a variety of software or a software to download. After the download, I can then view the GUI of Pi.	3rd February
PIR Motion Sensor Alarm
Connect Pi to PIR Motion Sensor	I will check on the internet to find out what wires are used to connect them to each other and to which specific GPIO pins.	The GPIO pins are a physical interface between Pi and any other device. In the 26 pins, 17 are GPIO while the rest are power or ground pins. These pins conduct power to the motion sensor. Therefore, we have to make sure that motion sensor is connected to the specific GPIO pins using female-female wires.	13th February
Build the Python script for alarm	I will check on the internet to find the code used for programming the alarm.	Once the code is found, I will run it and see whether it is working. The OUT pin of the motion sensor is connected to GPIO pin 4 on the Pi. So we need to check if this pin has power. If the pin has power, it is known as high or low if it doesn’t have. From this, I will then set up the Raspberry Pi GPIO pins which will allow me to use pin 4 as an input; it can then detect movement when the PIR module sends power.	14th February
Scratch	I will check on the internet on how to use the different commands on Scratch to create a code for the alarm.	This is additional method where I am going to use sound. Once the alarm detects movement, the chosen sprite will appear and sound will emerge.	15th February

SWOT Analysis:

Strengths: ·               Can detect the lightest of movements. ·               Can easily be installed in people’s homes. ·               Easy to set up with step by step instructions. ·               Can be connected using Ethernet and Wi-Fi dongle.	Weaknesses: ·               Not waterproof ·               Sometimes, there can be a malfunction. ·               Kit used to build it is expensive. ·               Through Ethernet, lots of steps are required.
Opportunities: ·               A free discount voucher. ·               Water bottle as well as a Raspberry Pi T-shirt. ·               Comes with a free Wi-Fi Dongle.	Threats: ·               If wet, avoid being electrocuted. ·               Keep small parts away from infants. ·               Do not connect LED’s, etc. to any high voltage pin. If done, the Pi may malfunction and LED will not work.

 Design Brief:

·               Linux based computer, Raspberry Pi, which can create not only alarms but others such as games, word processing, computer programming, etc.

·               An alarm computer program code can be written on the computer to activate it.

·               Can be easily connected to the Internet using a Wi-Fi dongle or Ethernet cable.

·               Low cost device in which the person can install easily using the manual.

·               An alternative to a computer or laptop which requires low power consumption.

·               Consists of 256MB of RAM, 4 USB ports, 1 Ethernet port, 1 A/V display, GPIO Header, HDMI Port, Camera display, Micro-USB power supply port and a SD card slot.

·               Includes programs such as Mathematica, Python 2 and 3 DLE, Wolfram, etc. where lots of computer programming can be done.

·               An lx terminal where you can execute commands.

·               The motion sensor, when detects movements, gives a range between 0 to 1. If 0, means there is no movement whereas if 1, then it has movement.

·               Motion sensor has potentiometers where we can adjust the sensitivity and detection time.

Interview:

I have also conducted an interview with a resident, Richard James, on what the features of the product should be. Here is the full interview:

Q1) In your opinion, what features must an alarm have?

Ans) An alarm should make big sound, should continue making the sound till it is stopped, and should respond to the signal promptly.

Q2) If a robbery has been conducted, mention from where did they enter?

Ans) From the main door

Q3) What alarm style do you want to have, beacon, by the seaside or chimes? If you want to choose any other, mention.

Ans) I am indifferent to the sound but it should be loud and I should feel like stopping it immediately.

Q4) Do you require a manual on how to install and activate it?

Ans) Yes, that will be very useful.

Q5) What extra items do you want to come along with this product?

Ans) A motion sensor camera which can take pictures even in darkness

Q6) Do you want to give any more ideas that we can add in this product?

Ans) The sound should become louder after every one minute