1. To accept responsibility in making engineering decisions consistent
with the safety, health and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly
factors that might endanger the public or the environment;
Our stepper motors operate at 12V and draw a lot of current. After scanning a
full image, the motors can become very hot. In operating our scanner, it is
generally a good idea to allow a few minutes of cool-down for the motors between
full-image scans. Since our motors are not protectively housed, we ask that
users not touch the stepper motors or to at least exercise caution when doing
so.
The motors may also emit some amount of electromagnetic interference due to the
high current, as one of our motors is constantly stepping. Ideally, we would
have liked to have been able to use a lower voltage on the motors or to shield
them. However, because of our limited construction supply and equipment, we
needed the 12V for the motors to step reliably on our rails.
Also, the scrap metal we used in our frame contains some sharp and jagged edges.
We simply wrapped the corners in electrical tape for safety.
We created our product with intentions for it to be used educationally and for
legal purposes only. While it is possible that someone may use our scanner to
scan money, copyrighted, or confidential documents, we deem this extremely
improbable due to the resolution of our scanner.
2. To avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and
to disclose them to affected parties when they do exist;
No interesting conflicts occurred.
3. To be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on
available data;
We openly disclose that our scan resolution can be dependent on whether we are
scanning white-on-black or black-on-white. We were able to detect down to 10
point font with black-on-white, but very unreliably. With white-on-black, the
scanner detected such small details much more consistently. We recommend using
fonts greater than 50 to get a reliable image. Our photo sensor is simply one
Fairchild QRB1114 sensor, and our resolution is consistent with the performance
listed on their datasheet.
4. To reject bribery in all its forms;
Oh, we rejected it.
5. To improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate
application, and potential consequences;
We certainly improved our understanding of technology, its appropriate
application, and potential consequences.
6. To maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake
technological tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience, or
after full disclosure of pertinent limitations;
As this project was to improve our own technical competence, we believe we were
qualified to undertake this task for ourselves.
7. To seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to
acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of
others;
We must credit Prof. Bruce Land with providing his TV code and the various
discrete electrical parts and tools in the ECE lab. I would also like to thank
my former roommate for giving me his old Microsoft mouse from which we
cannibalized our only 2 working infrared sensors.
8. To treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race,
religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin;
We think we treated ourselves fairly.
9. To avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by
false or malicious action;
Andy might have been accidentally sprayed with a compressed air can, but all
signs point to a full recovery.
10. To assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development
and to support them in following this code of ethics.
We helped each other.