WithStrings SensorUtils

Please grab the user manual at http://withstrings.com/withstrings_stripchart_manual.pdf
Some testing notes: http://www.withstrings.com/appnotes.html#sensor

1. Description

SensorUtils is a utility program built around the notion of a strip-chart recorder. Inputs to the recorder are sensors built into the Android device. The recorder displays graphically the sensor readings on a strip-chart like graph. There are three channels on the recorder that can used for each sensor. The strip-chart graph can be saved as a screen shot, and data collected can be saved to a file.

2. Operation

Launch the application. SensorUtils will query your device for available sensors. One sensor will be shown on the selection button. Each time the button is clicked another sensor is shown. The button will eventually return to the first sensor displayed. Typical of physical measurements available include acceleration, magnetic field, orientation, proximity, light intensity, and barometric pressure.
Figure 2 shows the orientation of the device in relationship to its sensor coordinate system.

Note that the data is returned by the device to the SensorUtils application asynchronously. The device will return the data at the rate that it sees fit in order to let other applications perform properly. SensorUtils may be interrupted by an incoming call or an user action -- if the SensorUtils application is off the screen any recording in progress in be saved and the application will release any requests for sensor data. Users also need to consider that other applications make use of the sensors. The effect of this is that the rate that SensorUtils receives updates decreases, perhaps significantly.

Please read the Android developer document “Sensors Overview” for more information.

3. Characteristics

Operating System: Android: Minimum API 9, Gingerbread
Permissions: WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
Acquisition Rate: Dependent on device. SensorManager.SENSOR_DELAY_USER
Resolution: Sensor Dependent
Settings:
Sensor: Selects sensors available on device
Rate: Max Acquisition Rate, Mask (0.1 to 10 seconds – one shot per interval
Interpolation: Line or Step
File Format: CSV (the data is not interpolated)
Chart Horizontal Range: 1 to 600 seconds:
Chart Vertical Magnification: Sensor Range (X1) to X100
Zero: removes offset at time pressed (in Monitor mode)
Clear: clears chart in monitor mode.
Record: Writes data to a file (monitor mode). Columns are based on Pen selection.
X Pen, Y Pen, Z Pen: provides pen up or pen down like functions.
Identity: sin(u)sin(v) = 1/2[sin(u-v) + sin(u+v)]
Graphics Design: N. Dynamite