3.1  EQUIPMENT

3.1.1  The SwayStar™ System

·            The SwayStar™ hardware consists of four to five elements depending on whether the system was a prototype system (Model 1 Software key number less than 1000) or a Model 2 system (Model 2 Software key number greater than 1000) with power cable or a Model 2B system which can be operated in a wireless mode (Bluetooth communication) or with a connecting cable (Versions 1 & 2). A system which operates in a wireless only mode, Model 2B Ver 3 , it is a unit for which CE approval has been obtained. A model 0 system is for demonstration purposes only (without hardware) emulates the sensors using a random “walk” generator and movements of the mouse.

·            Belt with sensors integrated and a connecting cable to a power supply/computer interface. The belt is similar to a motorcycle belt that is shaped to provide lower-back support. There is a hard, reinforced portion at the back that is tapered, a soft elasticized portion on the sides and elasticized flaps that, like the belt, have VelcroÒ closures. The sensors are mounted on the reinforced portion. The belt design makes it possible to measure trunk-angular deviations at the level of the lower back (lumbar 2-3) near to the body’s centre of mass without restricting movement of the hips and pelvis with respect to the trunk. The long connecting cable used for Model 1 and 2 systems still allows the subject to move freely during all tasks.

 

For Model 2B Ver 3 systems (systems with serial number 1200 and greater)

·            Bluetooth communication module or “Dongle” for USB port.

·            Combined Power supply for charging sensor batteries.

·            If a cable communication (COM) port connector is provided as a separate delivery then CE Approval is no longer valid.

 

For Model 2B Ver 2 systems (systems with serial number 1100 or greater)

·            Bluetooth communication module or “Dongle” for USB port.

·            Combined Power supply for charging sensor batteries and communication (COM) port connector (see Hardware manual for plug connections) – same as used for Model 2 system, see below.

 

 For Model 2 (produced prior to 2005) and Model 3 systems

·            Combined power supply and communication (COM) port connector (see Hardware manual for plug connections)

·            COM port adapter (Quatech SSP-100 Single Channel RS-232 PCMCIA Card recommended see http://www.quatech.com/catalog/rs232_pcmcia.php for systems) where no COM port is available.

 

For Model 1 systems

·            Power supply (110 to 240 Volts)

·            Interface cables between the power supply and computer interface card

·            PCI or PCMCIA National InstrumentsÒ 485 dual-part serial interface card unless a SwayStar™ auditory feedback controller is present, in which case a COM port connection is provided.

 

3.1.2  The Analog to Digital Convertor

The analogue to digital converter which can be used with SwayStar™ to sample up to 16 A/D channels (single ended mode) is a DT980X (X=1-6) unit from DataTranslationTM. It is connected to the PC via the USB port. Further details on this unit are available at www.datx.com.

 

3.1.3  Hardware Configuration

It is recommended that a IBM-compatible desktop or laptop computer be used that equals or exceeds the capabilities of a Pentium III 850 MHz having a graphic chip with at least 16MB dedicated memory for optimal performance. Notebooks with an UMA (Unified Memory Architecture) - shared video memory - are not recommended. The program, itself, requires a minimum of 30 MB hard disk space to install and should have at least 500 MB hard disk space available for data storage. RAM space varies: 128 MB RAM is required for a stand-alone computer but 256 MB if used in conjunction with a networked system (and at least I GB hard disk drive) and another 128 MB is needed for Windows XP. A graphics capable printer (colour or monochrome) is required for generating hard copy of recordings and analysis.

 

3.1.4  Software Operating Environment

The software operates under all MS Window versions higher than or equal to Windows 95. For model 2 SwayStar™ with Bluetooth, the Bluetooth software restricts Windows Versions to Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista. We strongly recommend Windows XP or Vista. General features of the software are compatible with standard Windows operations, such as maximize, minimize, restore, etc. In order to use a log file (data analysis values), MS Excel or another spreadsheet program (e.g. Quattro Pro) should be available. The software assumes that MS Internet Explorer version 4.01 SP2 or higher is installed. SwayStar™ also operates with OpenOffice.

 

3.1.5  Software Installation

To install the software either download the current release version from internet www.b2i.info or by inserting the CD provided. Then insert the software key details when requested, and perform an update via internet.

 

For the Model 2 SwayStar™ with Bluetooth the Bluetooth® software must be installed first.

Do not plug in the dongle into the USB port before the software is installed. First install the system and driver software for the Bluetooth® Dongle. The installation may request you to reboot the system. Once the system and driver software is installed completely, plug the dongle into the USB port. Wait until the system signals that the hardware is recognized and ready to be used.

 

For detailed instructions on how to install the Bluetooth® dongle and software refer to the documentation provided with the installation CD delivered with the dongle.

 

For systems delivered in 2006 and later, the Bluetooth® software BlueSoleil  from IVT corporation, which SwayStar uses, is supplied with the Bluetooth dongle. Then setting up the communication is simple. There are two possible ways to accomplish this task. The first way works with drag and drop and is available for SwayStar™ software version 4.3.7.264 (to which this document refers) provided the BlueSoleil being used is version 5.0.5.178 or later if running on Windows 2000 or XP, or is version 6.0.226.0 if running on Windows Vista. The second way to set up communication is menu oriented and works for all BlueSoleil versions newer or equal then 2.3.0.0 (refer to sections  “5.5.3 Bluetooth Places” and “5.5.6  About SwayStar” to check the version if drag and drop seems not to work).

 

 

 

The drag and drop method:

 

  • Make sure that the sensor box is turned off and its battery is charged.

 

 
  • Activate the PC and check that the software driver for Bluetooth Dongle has been installed.

 

 
  • Plug the Bluetooth™ Dongle into the same USB port of the PC used for installation. Wait until the system has recognized the Dongle (the BT symbol in the task bar will change its background colour from grey to blue).

 

 
  • Turn on the sensor box and be sure the connecting communication cable is NOT plugged in, if one exists (serial numbers 10xx and 11xx). The power and sensor LEDs on the sensor box will light up orange for 1 second. After this only the Power LED should light up green indicating status OK. Wait 3 seconds before continuing.

 

  • Double click on the Bluetooth™ symbol in the task bar or on the icon ‘My Bluetooth Places’ on the Windowsdesktop if available, or use the menu item “Bluetooth Places” of the SwayStar Help menu.

 

 
  • Double click on “Search devices”. Bluetooth starts searching wireless devices within range of the PC. In a first step new devices show up having set their figure caption to the device MAC address. In a second step the caption will reveal a device name, provided the device delivers a name in time. If the device name is not revealed one can right click on the corresponding icon and select “Get Device Name” in the menu that pops up, or double click “Search devices” a second time. The identification name of the SwayStar sensor box follows the pattern “SwayStar<serialnumber>” or “SwayStar-Box SN<serial number>”. 

 

 
  • Once the device has shown up you click on it and drag the symbol over the SwayStar window and drop it by releasing the mouse botton. At this moment the cursor changes to an hourglass and the SwayStar software tries to pair and connect to the SwayStar sensor box. Watching “Bluetooth Places” you can observe the following: after a while a chain link sign  is attached to the symbol to signal paired status, next, parts of the symbol change their colour to green to show this device is connected.

 

 
  • At this stage if connection to the device,that is, the SwayStar sensor box, was successful the SwayStar software displays the “Sensor” tab of the “Settings Dialog”. Here you can test the device operation by clicking on the test button and marking the BalanceFreedom option if necessary. Exit this dialog by clicking on [Ok]. The device is ready to use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • Otherwise, if connecting fails, an alerting message box pops up.

 
  • Once a device is in use a further drag and drop operation will be rejected. This is indicated by the cursor displayed as a stop symbol.

 
       

 

 

The menu oriented procedure:

 

 

First under the main menu “Record”, click on “Discover Port” or simply press F5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The software then searches first for all Bluetooth® devices and subsequently for all connected serial communication (COM) ports. The user then simply has to choose the device to record from out of the list. An alternative is to look up the COM ports under the Device manager – see Help section  5.5.2 .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For systems delivered prior to 2006 using the Bluetooth®  Dongle with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack (SP)2 needs several additional steps to set up the communication. In the case the dongle is recognized by XPSP2 native Bluetooth® support the native driver takes over the dongle. To correct the assignments the following steps are necessary.

 

First go to the device manager. The fastest way to do this is to press the Windows Key [] together with the Pause key. This opens the “System Properties” dialog. Here you can select the hardware tab and then you can click the “Device Manager” button.

 

In the device manager tree expand the “Bluetooth Radios” branch.

 

Right click on “USB Bluetooth Wireless Adapter and select “Properties” in the context menu.

 

In the new dialog box select the “Driver” tab.

 

Here click on the button “Update Driver” and the “Hardware Driver Wizard” dialog will be shown.

 

Select on the radio button “No, not this time”

 followed by a click on the “Next” button.

 

 

 

In the next dialog select “Install from a list or specific location and proceed by clicking the “Next” button.

 

In the next dialog page select “Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install” and again click on the “Next” button.

 

 

In the new dialog presented verify that “Show compatible hardware is checked”. In the list field you should see two drivers. The windows standard driver “USB Bluetooth Adapter” is checked ()

 

 

Select the unchecked driver and ignore the fact that the driver is not digitally signed. Proceed by clicking the “Next” button to install the driver

 

 

Once the driver is installed it is wise to reboot the system leaving the dongle in place.

 

 

If you already had a Model 2 SwayStar™ system without Bluetooth, The SwayStar™ Software has to be updated in order to use the Bluetooth™ function. Start SwayStar™ application. Click ‘Help’ à ‘Internet Update’.

To download the update manually via internet use following URL: http://www.b2i.info/download.

(Version number 4.0.7.186 or higher must be installed for SwayStar™ to operate with Bluetooth)

 

For Model 1 SwayStar™ versions the National Instruments (NI) software should be installed before the SwayStar™ software. Once the NI software is installed, the NI 485 card should be inserted into the computer and the NI card tested with the NI diagnostics program. The diagnostic software from NI should indicate that both parts of the card are operating “PASS”. If the NI card is not detected; that is, a “FAIL” occurs in the diagnostic program, check under system manager COM ports to insure that the ports are assigned to the NI card. If not assigned properly, delete incorrect assignments and refresh.

 

If a Model 1 user has acquired the SwayStar™ Auditory Feedback (AF), this updates data communication to that of a Model 2 system and the NI hardware is no longer needed, unless the AF hardware is disconnected.

 

Downloading and Installing the SwayStar™ Software

The SwayStar™ software operates on a Windows 95 or NT or 2000 or XP platform (Windows 98 can be used but it is not recommended for Model 1 users due to variations in sampling times caused by the internal clock timer). The software is available only to authorized purchasers who have obtained an access key code. The software can be downloaded via the Internet at:

http://www.b2i.info/download.

 

Once the download is complete, simply follow the installation instructions and insert the access key code, name and number when requested. Then in the SwayStar™ program go to Help-menu and select  internet update to get the latest software modifications. Finally check the sensor function as indicated in section 3.2.3. A dummy database with sample patients will have been loaded on first installation. To create a new database follow the instructions in section 5.4.4: Alternate database (DB).

 

3.1.6  Setting up SwayStar™ Equipment

·            Connect the belt containing the sensors to the power supply with the connecting cable.

·            Connect the power supply and COM port connector to the computer’s COM port or USB COM port adaptor (Model 2 and Model 1 with AF)

·            Connect the power supply to the NI 485 interface or PCMCIA card using the two interface cables. (Model 1 without AF)

·            Open the SwayStar™ program by clicking the Desktop icon. It can also be opened from the Start Menu/Programs/SwayStar™

·            Activate the sensors by connecting the power supply to the mains and switching on the power supply (Model 1 or power at the sensor box Model 2). In both cases a red power on-light is illuminated.