B.V.Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology ’s Electronics & Communication Branch students have taken up an exciting venture to use Electronics to help Physically/Mentally Handicapped children of USHAS Center for Exceptional Children, Hubli (www.ushas.org ) by developing games/devices/toys etc that will create excitement/interest in the children to play them & hence undergo physical/mental exercise which is prescribed to them to overcome their disability but normally tend to neglect due to lack of enthusiasm & interest.
Disabilities in children can be detected in early stages. A child who cannot walk properly (having gait disorders) has to be motivated to walk so that he can have better and healthier legs. It can also help strengthen muscles and improve the reflexes of incapacitate and developmentally delayed children. The rate of impairment increases, if not addressed appropriately and may eventually end up in permanent physical disability. Similarly mentally challenged children face many problems in cognitive processing. By using technology, we can enhance these cognitive abilities.
The concept for the project was suggested by Mr. R. S. Okhade of the USHAS Center for exceptional children (www.ushas.org ), Hubli. The projects were mentored and guided by Prof B.L.Desai – Vice Principal, BVBCET. The projects were funded by the Deshpande Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (www.deshpandefoundation.org ) under the LEAD (Leaders Accelerated Development) program.

BVB Students Honored!

The annual IEEE Honors Ceremony is one of IEEE’s most prestigious events. It recognizes exceptional contributions that have made a lasting impact on technology, society and the engineering profession. Very first time Students were included in the award list as the winners of IEEE Presidents’ Change the World Competition. About 200 universities around the world contested in this prestigious contest and finally the three universities made it to the Presidents’ award in the Honors ceremony 2009, held at Los Angeles on 25th June 2009 in the Hyatt regency century Plaza.
BVBians won the second prize with the title “IEEE Distinguished Humanitarian” and received an award of US$5000. Karthik Kulkarni, the student representative received the award on behalf of the team at the ceremony. The Stanford University & the Rowan University won the first & third prizes respectively. BVBians were the only students outside USA to have made it to the top three!
To mark the start of this initiative of IEEE, two minor planets that were recently discovered were named after the top prize winning Stanford university students. The Ceres Connection at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Library, the organization responsible for naming asteroids in honor of excellence in science has named minor planets after the top prize winners. BVBians just missed this gigantic opportunity!
Theme of the projects was suggested by resource persons from USHAS, Hubli – a centre for exceptional children. Mr.&Ms.R.S.Okade, Dr.Sanjay and Dr.Kiran from USHAS badly needed a system which could improve the overall reflexes of the child. Their suggestions are discussed below.

Walking Tutor:

School already has a walking platform – a traditional Parallel Bar Gait Trainer, in the institute to treat gait problems children. But through that they could not motivate the child, enough, to walk. Hence, school needed a system to include fancy lighting to improve the visual reflex of the child, an audio system to improve the auditory response and different modes of operation of the system to increase the child’s motivation. And more importantly, they wanted the system to look more like an interactive game, rather than a training course or a routine regime which patients in general and children in particular, dislike.
Based on the above fascinating inputs received, system has been built – Gait Trainer with Reinforcement (also known as “Walking Tutor”). To obtain the above goals, enthusiastic team of students of B.V.Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology started working consistently on the project in the month of July-2008. The team comprised of 3rd year students Suyash Ugare, Sagar Karur, Sagar Medikeri, Karthik Kulkarni and Ajay Bhat. The team completed the project in the month of June 2009 under the proper guidance of Miss Sunita Shirahatti and Prof. B.L.Desai for about more than 10 months. Electronic techniques & devices have been used. The required circuitry has been designed, tested and soldered on silicon chips and implemented robustly. Algorithms have been formed for the above mentioned games, processes etc and have been coded in assembly language for the microcontrollers. The electronic circuits are interfaced with the required mechanical assemblies. The projects will be implemented and tested on the physically/mentally handicapped students of USHAS, Centre for Exceptional Children (www.ushas.org)

Eye Trainer:

Another problem associated with such children is, disorder related to eyes. They have eye fixation and eye tracking problem. “Eye Trainer” equipment trains them to overcome these problems. This equipment also helps to train the cerebral palsy children. Symptoms of cerebral palsy can be as simple as having difficulty with fine motor tasks like writing or using scissors, tracking of a moving object, concentrating on an object, or as profound as being unable to maintain balance or walk. This Project was taken up by the 3rd year students viz. Radhakrishna.M.Gotur, K.Vidyasagar, Gnanesh Upadhyay.

Speech and Cognitive Trainer:

Mentally challenged children face many problems in cognitive processing. By using technology, we can enhance these cognitive abilities. “chitra vallari” (Speech Trainer) is a specifically designed for the enhancement of following cognitive abilities:
1)Visio-motor coordination. 2) Cognitive function and 3) speech training.
This equipment is a very flexible device which can record/playback voice. It contains a set of pictures and each picture can be changed according to instructor’s wish. When a child touches a picture (should apply little pressure), details about the picture is heard through inbuilt speaker.

Physical disabilities in children can be detected in early stages. A child who cannot walk properly has to be motivated to walk so that he can have better and healthier legs. It can also help strengthen muscles and improve the reflexes of incapacitate and growing children.
The concept for the project was suggested by Mr. R. S. Okhade of the USHAS, Hubli – a local centre for exceptional children. As per his suggestion, a system will be designed electronically, much like an interactive game that intends to encourage children to walk aiding their muscles’ development. Children being the focus of the project, an effort will be made to make the system more interactive and amusing so that active participation is promoted.

2. Background Information/Problem Statement:

Walking disability in children is a major health problem in India and other developing countries. The disability may be genetic, hereditary (Muscular Dystrophy) or due to the injuries, etc. Irrespective of the cause, lesser use of leg joints leads to improper growth of leg muscles, consequently leading to walking impairment. The rate of impairment increases, if not addressed appropriately and may eventually end up in permanent disability.
There are various kinds of muscular disabilities. For example, Muscular
Dystrophy. A quarter of a million kids and adults are living with Muscular Dystrophy. It is a genetic disorder that weakens the muscles that help the body move. All forms of muscular dystrophy, however, grow worse as muscles progressively degenerate. MD weakens muscles over time, so children, teens, and adults who have the disease can gradually lose the ability to do things like walking or sitting up.
There are things that children with MD and other muscular disabilities can do to help their muscles. Certain exercises and physical therapy can help them avoid contractures, a stiffening of the muscles near the joints that can make it harder to move and can lock the joints in painful positions. A program of regular, light exercise can help keep muscles in good condition.
So there’s a need to design a tool that can help the muscles of disabled children and at the same time, make it interactive and fun.

3. Social Benefits:

The project benefits people with muscular disabilities like those with Muscular Dystrophy, Guillian-Barre Syndrome and other walking disabilities. Initially, the project will be implemented in USHAS, Hubli. The subjects of the project will be the students of this centre. The students of this school will also be involved in the testing of the project.
The system can also be installed in Play homes and Kindergartens. It will be fun, learning and exercise for the children.

4. Goals:

Goal #1: To slow progression of complications, avoid/delay contractures in
children having Muscular Dystrophy – by exercising their joints.
Goal #2: To bring joy and maximize the subject’s quality of life, bring respite to
sick children – by making the system fun to use by incorporating fancy lighting and
music, make it look more like a game than like a course.
Goal #3: To improve eye-limb coordination in growing children.
Goal#4: To improve the Auditory and visual Reflexes.

5. Proposed Design and Working:

The system will come interfaced with a square grid of tiles (that can be setup on
the floor of a room). The heart of the system is a microcontroller (AT89S52) into which
code is written to perform the desired operation. The unit will come with an easy-tooperate
interface enabling the instructor to change operating modes and speeds. Mode
defines the pattern in which the tiles glow. Speed refers to the time duration between
glowing of two consecutive tiles. The subject has to step onto the tile while it is still
glowing, for the game to continue. The aim of the game is to step on all the glowing tiles
within the prescribed time and complete all the levels. As the subject improves upon his
performance, the operator can increase the mode and speed.

6. Methodology:

1. The target subjects will be studied and the system will be designed to suit
their needs.
2. The system will be realized electronically. Microcontroller, digital ICs,
relays etc will be used.
3. The system will first be tested on an electronic development board. Once
it is working satisfactorily, the system will be made stand-alone.
4. Materials used for tiles will be tested for strength and durability and a
prototype model of the tile will be readied.
5. The system will be demonstrated to our client(s) and on their acceptance;
the system will be implemented completely.
6. Keeping the completed unit under test for discrepancies, if any.

7. Facilities required for the project:

Development tools required for the project will be provided by the Department of Electronics and Communication and Department of Mechanical Engineering,
BVBCET, Hubli.

8. Budget Estimate:

The budget is estimated for 36 sqft flooring with 36 tiles.
Sl. No. Equipments and Supplies Estimated Cost

1. Materials for tiles –
fibre glass (36 sqft)
Wood for frame
Rs. 3600/-
Rs. 1800/-
2. Electronics Components (Bulbs, relays) & Circuitry Rs. 5400/-
3. Labour Charges Rs. 3000/-
4. Miscellaneous Rs. 1200/-
Total Estimate Rs. 15000/-

Appendices:

Appendix A: Proposed Timeline

Month one:
 Week one – visiting the subjects at USHA school (an institute for the
disabled), Hubli.
 Week two – designing the electronic circuit.
 Week three – making a prototype model of the tile, testing the
materials for strength and durability.
 Week four – making the unit a stand-alone system and troubleshooting,
if any.

Month two:
 Week one – implementing it in the school.

Appendix B: Project Guides

1. Mr. R. S. Okhade,
Management Consultant.
2. Prof. B. L. Desai,
HOD, Dept. of Electronics and Comm., BVBCET, Hubli.
3. Ms. Sunita Shirahatti,
Lecturer, Dept. of Electronics and Comm., BVBCET, Hubli.

Appendix C: Project Team

1. Ajay Bhat,
3rd year BE Electronics & Comm., BVBCET.
ajay2day@gmail.com, Ph: 9449333095
2. Sagar Medikeri,
3rd year BE Electronics & Comm., BVBCET.
sagar.medikeri@yahoo.com, Ph: 9739864887
3. Sagar Karur,
3rd year BE Electronics & Comm., BVBCET.
sagar2day@gmail.com, Ph:9480211397
4. Suyash Ugare, Team Leader
3rd year BE Electronics & Comm., BVBCET.
suyashugare@gmail.com, Ph: 984415644
Snaps

Technical Details:
Circuit Diagram

Download the Code

This is usually implemented in dark room. The children with this kind of disorder are usually attracted by colored lights. A spot of light is focused on a screen or a wall. For visual fixation the spot of light is kept stationary so that the child builds concentration on a stationary object, to attract the child the color of the spot can be changed by inserting different colored slides even the shape of the spot can be changed by inserting slides of different shapes. For visual tracking the spot is moved horizontally from left to right and vice versa.

Depending on the weakness of the child the speed of motion of the spot can be controlled, for the weaker child the spot is moved slowly as the child shows improvement the speed of spot can be increased. The angle up to which the spot is moved can also be varied. The advantage of this equipment is that it is a low cost device and user friendly.

Feedback
This has being implemented on the children in Ushas Centre For Exceptional Children and found effective for the purpose.

Team
Snaps

Technical Details:

Circuit Diagram

Download Code here

Mentally challanged children face many problems in cognitive processing .
By using technology, we can enhance these cognitive abilities .
“ chitra vallari” is a specifically designed for the enhancement of following cognitive abilities:
1)Visiuo motor coordination
2)cogniotive function
3)speech training
“ chitra vallari” is a very flexible device which can record/playback voice. It contains a set of pictures and each picture can be changed according to instructor’s wish . When a child touches a picture(should apply little pressure),details about the picture is heard through inbuilt speaker. All details about a particular picture is predetermined and the appropriate voice is previously recorded by the instructor. For example:
When a child touches the picture of an “APPLE”, previously recorded information about apple can be heard. Recording of voice can be easily carried out by the enabling record switch.
“ chitra vallari” can store voices in any language and the voices can be erased and re-recorded.

WORKING

“chitra vallari” uses a voice recording/playback IC apr9600. Apr9600 is connected to switches ,using these switches voice is recorded/playback. Swithes are internally connected to pictures . given below is the circuit diagram which shows diffrenent switches and other details

BENEFITS

1) Develops identification capability of a child, i.e a child can identify common objects easily.
2) Improves Eye, brain and hand coordination.
3) Improves listening and speaking skills.

FEEDBACK

A basic prototype has been implemented in “USHAS CENTRE FOR EXEPTIONAL CHILDREN”. We have got a terrific feedback from teachers and doctors. Some improvements have been suggested and we are working on it.

TEAM

1)KIRAN.V.SOPPIMATH (mail2kiranvs@gmail.com)
2)GANESH.VALLAMADAS
3)PRADEEP.HANJI
4)RAMACHANDRA.PATIL

Snaps

Physical exercise such as muscle movement, limb movement, blowing/sucking actions, hand – eye coordination, eye movement etc & mental exercise such as imitation, response to quick stimuli, logical thinking etc are some of the outcomes of these projects.

These projects are funded by The Deshpande Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Sankalp Semiconductors private limited & B.V.Bhoomaraddi College.
3 Modules in the project are taken up with the following goals:

A) Walking Tutor – Leg Exercising Aid/Game

1) To slow progression of complications, avoid/delay contractures in
children having Muscular Dystrophy – by exercising their joints.
2) To bring joy and maximize the subject’s quality of life, bring respite to sick children – by making the system fun to use by incorporating fancy lighting and
music, make it look more like a game than like a course.
3) To improve eye-limb coordination in growing children.
4) To improve the Auditory and visual Reflexes.

B) Chitra Vallari – To enhance cognitive abilities

1) Enhancement of Visiuo motor coordination
2) Enhancement of cognitive function
3) speech training

C) Eye Rotator – Eye movement exercise

1) Improve eye fixation and eye tracking abilities
2) Train the cerebral palsy children

To obtain the above goals, Electronic techniques & devices such as Microcontrollers, Speech storage Integrated Circuits, Speakers, Touch sensors, lights, Music Integrated circuits, Stepper Motors etc have been.
The required circuitry has been designed , tested and soldered on silicon chips and implemented robustly. Algorithms have been formed for the above mentioned games, processes etc and have been coded in assembly language for the microcontrollers. The electronic circuits are interfaced with the required mechanical assemblies.

These projects are implemented and tested on the physically/mentally handicapped students of USHAS Centre for Exceptional Children (www.ushas.org ). Continuous feedback is being taken & changes/improvements are being done. The project is being carried out with the vision of mass production of these electromechanical modules for replicating/scaling at different locations.

Plan of action:

Month one:
 Week one – Visiting the students at USHA school (an institute for the disabled), Hubli.
 Week two – Detailed analysis & planning of the electronic aids to be developed.
 Week three – Designing the electronic circuit.
 Week four – making a prototype model.

Month two:
 Week one – Testing the materials for strength and durability.
 Week two – Making the unit a stand-alone system and troubleshooting if any.
 Week three – Implementing it in the school.
 Week four – Feedback analysis & modifications.

The modules of the project were developed in the year 2008 & Jan 2009. The were implemented & tested on Physically/Mentally Handicapped children of USHAS Center for Exceptional Children, Hubli (www.ushas.org ), continous feedback from the doctors & the tutors of these children is being taken & an effort has been triggered towards standardizing these modules for mass production so that they can be implemented/scaled at different locations with mobility.

These Projects are being used & enjoyed by the students of USHAS institute under the supervision of Tutors & doctors & they are finding it a good aid which is helping their work!

We are working closely with them by taking their suggestions & feedback periodically & improvising the system.