Computer
Related Experience
Projects Involving
Software
• 2002-2003 Design & development of operating software for prototype Chairbot Wheechair mount Robot Arm. This project began with the Feeder Robot software and added a vision system. The vision system uses a small camera to do Visual Servoing, which is automatically guiding the arm to objects or targets using visual feedback. The development environment was a Visual C library from Data Translation. I hired and supervised a programmer to get the basics established, then implemented the visual servoing myself.
• 2001 Design & development of this personal website, the GrantMan.biz website and the Arlyn Toolworks website, all interlocked. Process invoved studying site design, learning Dreamweaver, creation of text & graphics using Adobe PhotoDeluxe & various graphics programs, testing site in multiple browsers & browser versions. Address is: www.arlyntoolworks.com
• 1999-2001 Design & development
of operating software for prototype Arlyn Feeder Robot. Had motion control
library converted to Visual C++, added serial communications, joystick. Designed
control flow and 3 interfaces (screen, joystick/gamepad, voice). Did architecture
& most of the coding but supervised consultant in laying in major additions.
Software runs on Windows laptop, talks to servo control board which talks
to servos & receives sensor info. Robot allows someone with high level
paralysis to feed him/herself.
• 1998-1999 Design & development of control software for set of voice
controlled tools, including vice, hand, tabletop mobile robot. Software was
written in Basic running on Basic Stamp embedded controllers. Also designed
& built circuits these controllers operated within. Voice commands were
received by Dragon Dictate on Windows laptop, sent to Basic Stamp via RS-232.
Basic Stamp controlled servos & motors. Mobile robot used RF link, chained
3 Basic Stamps. All devices were intended for use by people with limited hand
function.
• 1993-1997 Design & development operating of software for Arlyn
Arm, 7 axis robot arm. Written in Dynamic C, proprietary language of Z-World
controller boards. Software uses interrupts to trigger reading sensors, control
motion in real time. Robot has 8 degrees of freedom, consists of humanlike
hand with two independent finger sets, 3 axis wrist. Wrote nearly all the
code. Robot aids people with high level paralysis in using books, papers,
computers.
• 1992 Design & Development of animated computer simulation of $35M
paint line at Harley Davidson, York. Supervised Mechanical Engineer in programming
layout from blueprints. Did coding of operating logic in C-type language using
AutoMod, high end simulation package. Did validation to demonstrate that simulation
was accurate representation. Trained Harley engineer in use of simulation
& turned it over to them. Over $1M in modifications to the paint line
were based on analysis using this simulation tool.
• 1990-1991 Design & development of control software for $500K automated
material handling system containing industrial carousels, powered conveyor,
bar code readers at Lancaster Laboratories Inc. (LLI). Hired & supervised
programmer working in C. Interfaced with LLI IS people to integrate our software
with theirs. System retrieves trays of samples from large cooler, allows operators
to check samples in and out of tray locations.
• 1990 Design, development of simulation of Material Handling system
for Lancaster Labs. Simulation software utilized OOP, objects were wired together
on screen, C type code controlled flow of data structures from object to object.
I did all architecture & coding. System compared current manual bottle
retrieval with proposed automated system. Performance of actual system matched
simulation data very closely.
• 1988-1989 Design & Development of RF inventory system for Quaker
Oats, Shiremanstown. Written in Cobol (Quaker Oats choice) by programmers
I hired & supervised. Software ran on DOS computer which talked to radio
data terminals, permits people to walk around warehouse taking inventory.
Languages
• Visual C++, C, C++, Dynamic C (Z-World), QuickBasic, Applesoft Basic,
Basic Stamp Basic, Fortran.
Operating Systems
• Macintosh OS 1.0 to 8.6, MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, 95, 98. Lisa, Apple SOS
(Apple III), Apple DOS.
Applications
• AutoMod, Working Model, ClarisWorks, Claris CAD, ClarisDraw, VectorWorks,
MiniCAD, Virtus Walkthrough, Excel, Claris Resolve, VisiCalc, Adobe PhotoDeluxe,
MacDraw, MacWrite, MacPaint, MS Word, PowerPoint, Applewrite, DreamWeaver,
Explorer, Outlook Express, Quicken, MacInTax, TurboTax, Dragon Dictate, MS
Works, DBase II., Omnis III, LisaWrite-Draw-Paint-Calc, Peachtree Accounting,
CakeWalk.