Senior Design Team 11

Project Overview

In the TLA in Coover Hall, there are 15 mini-blinds that cover the south facing windows. During some parts of the day, they are closed to reduce glare on the computer screens and other times are open to allow natural solar lighting. Most of the control rods for these blinds are located behind benches or cabinets and are difficult to access. This project proposal is to add the ability to open and close either one or several blinds remotely from a cell phone or other hand-held device.

The design would include a small receiver and motor device that will attach to each of the existing adjustment rods so that they can be rotated by commands from the hand-held device. There will need to be software created on the receiver devices to accept open and close commands and software on the controlling device to send commands.

The project focus should be on scalability of the design since over a dozen units will need to be made.

Team Members

Andrew Deick

Software Engineer

Andrew is majoring in Software Engineering, and has experiences in several disciplines, including Virtual Reality, Front-End Development, Embedded Systems and Cyber Security. Over his time in college, he has created his own website and programmed a spunky Discord bot. In his spare time, he enjoys playing several intramural sports, like Frisbee, Basketball, Bowling, Bag Toss, Disc Golf, and more.

Caleb Townsend

Electrical Engineer

Caleb Townsend is an Electrical Engineer with an emphasis in power at Iowa State University. Caleb is interested in solving the energy problems of today and innovating sustainable energy resources. Caleb enjoys the outdoors, sports such as basketball, playing the piano, and spending time with family and friends in his free time.

Daniel Andrews

Software Engineer

Daniel Andrews is a software engineering student, in his seventh semester at Iowa State University.

Hieu Nguyen

Electrical Engineer

Hieu is a senior here at Iowa State University. Hieu is majoring in Electrical Engineering, and is excited to be on this project!

Jacob Nett

Computer Engineer

I am Jacob Nett a senior in Computer Engineering here at Iowa State University. I have experience in frontend software design and microcontrollers.

Logan Shada

Electrical Engineer Logan Shada

Logan is a senior this year at Iowa State. He is studying Electrical Engineering, and looking forward to working on the hardware side of the project.


Project Website

ISU Blinds Controller

Weekly Reports

Semester 1

Report 1
Report 2
Report 3
Report 4
Report 5
Report 6
Report 7
Report 8
Report 9
Report 10

Semester 2

Report 1
Report 2
Report 3
Report 4
Report 5
Report 6

Lightning Talks

Elevator Pitch
Constraints Talk
Testing Talk
Project Plan
Design Talk
News Report

Design Documents

Design Document - Semester 1
Final Design Document - Semester 2
Final Presentation Slides - Semester 2