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 Frequently Asked Questions Please use the links below to quickly navigate to the desired FAQ section or scroll to browse each section. database, analysis, and reporting creation of any and percent masks ___________________________
Q: Why capacitive sensors? A: The novel sensors utilize capacitive sensor technology to assess dynamic pressure distribution. The elasitisty and flexibility of capacitive sensors allow conformity between varied and complex surfaces such as the shoe and foot, foot and orthotics, hand and tool, the buttocks and chair, or intraarticularly. novel capacitive sensors offer the highest proven accuracy and reliability available in today's pressure distribution market. One important aspect of the novel technology is its calibration procedure. Each sensor element is calibrated throughout the range of measurement, therefore providing an absolute pressure value. Striving to provide continued excellence, novel is constantly working to develop and research new sensor designs to provide the highest accuracy and reliability in pressure sensor technology. ___________________________ Q: What is the accuracy and reliability of the novel systems? A: The accuracy and reliability of the novel systems has been discussed in much of the literature. The following articles can be used as reference and for descriptive information on the novel products:
___________________________ Q: How are the novel systems calibrated? A: The novel systems use the trublu calibration device to ensure the most accurate results possible. Each capacitive sensor (whether the emed platform, or from an insole or from a seat mat) are calibrated with known pressures applied through an air bladder. Since each sensor element contains its own calibration curve the resulting accuracy of the system is extremely high. The user can check the accuracy at any time and perform calibration quickly and easily. ___________________________
Q: What are the computer requirements for the software and hardware for the emed, pedar, and pliance systems? A: The minimum computer requirements are • Windows XP Service Pack 2 or 3, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit) • 2 GHz processor (Pentium IV / Intel Core Duo or equivalent AMD) • 1 GB RAM • 1 CD/DVD burner (for backup purposes) • 80 GB hard drive • 2 USB ports (3 is preferred) • IEEE 1394 port - only needed if collecting digital video ___________________________ Q: If I am updating or upgrading my software, what is the procedure? A: Whether upgrading or updating, the first step is to back up the novel folder located at C:/novel/. Copy this folder to an external drive or to a location, such as My Documents. Although all your data (databases, ASCII data, masks, measurement files, etc.) should not be deleted when updating or upgrading, this is done as a precaution. After backing up the novel folder, use Windows Add/Remove programs utility found in the Windows Control Panel to remove the specific program(s) that you have update(s) or upgrade(s). Next, install the update(s) and upgrade(s). ___________________________ Q: Can the novel software be installed on multiple computers? A: Yes, the novel software can be installed on as many computers as you need. To use the software on these computers, you will need to transfer the hardlock (purple USB dongle) to the computer you intend to use the novel software. PLEASE NOTE: Each computer that the novel software is used MUST have the same date and time as the initial computer the software was used. ___________________________ Q: Can novel systems be synchronized with other measurement equipment/data, such as motion capture, EMG, video, etc? A: There are two ways that novel systems can be synchronized with other measurement equipment: via the synchronization devices for pedar/pliance and thesynchronization cable for emed or through novel software Recorder software or novel player software. Synchronization Systems: A synchronization signal can either be imported into or exported from each system. The emed system can be connected to other systems via a cable. Whereas the pedar and pliance systems can either be connected to other systems by a cabled or wireless option. Please click here for further details. ___________________________ Q: Can custom sensors be made for my application? A: Yes, we can create customize sensors to fit your application. As designs can vary greatly, depending on size, shape, and pressure range, please contact novelinc@novelusa.com to discuss the specifics of your application and pricing. ___________________________ Q: Are novel sensors waterproof? A: Most of the novel sensors can be coated with a waterproof layer. Please contact a novel representative to check if the sensor that you are interested in can be waterproofed. ___________________________ Q: What effect does humidity have on the sensor? A: The novel sensors can be prepared (sealed) to perform within normal specifications in environments with high humidity. ___________________________
Q: The emed-x platform's power cord is plugged in, the USB cable is plugged into the computer, but the power light will not light on the computer nor will the software connect to the platform. What is wrong? A: The emed driver was not installed to the computer. After installing the driver (please see the emed manual for installation of the emed driver), the power LED will light when the power cord is plugged in and the computer is powered on. ___________________________ Q: Noise (pressure sensors show pressure where the foot did not strike) appear during the measurement. What is wrong? A: There may not be anything wrong with the platform. Several things may cause noise on the platform. The platform may be moving while the foot is striking the platform. To remedy this problem, tacky rubber can be placed underneath the entire bottom of the platform or the platform can be placed in a floor or within modular mats to prevent movement of the platform. Another reason that the platform may have noise is that it sitting on unleveled ground. This can be checked by pushing on each of the corners of the platform. If the platform tilts when any of the corners is pressed, please move the platform to level ground. A platform may also experience noise if the platform is not fully support underneath its surface. If a part of the platform is not supported, it can cause bowing of the platform during loading. Ensure that the entire surface is supported on flat, level ground. If all of the items have been checked and the issue is still present, please contact novel at novelinc@novelusa.com. ___________________________ Q: How often does the platform need to be re-calibrated, and how do I re-calibrate the platform? A: The platform's calibration should be checked every 2-3 years depending on how often the platform is used. Checking of the calibration or performing a re-calibration of the platform must be performed at novel offices. Please contact your nearest novel at novelinc@novelusa.com for details. ___________________________ Q: The emed Recorder software is not synchronizing the pressure and the video. The video appears on playback of the pressure measurement, but the video appears to play from when I pressed the Dynamic Measurement button. A: Check that the emed video synchronization cable (the cable leading from the digital video camera to the connector on the emed platform’s video synchronization cable) is properly connected to both the emed platform’s synchronization cable connector and the microphone in port of the digital video camera. ___________________________ Q: I would like to build a walkway for my emed system. Or, I am planning on dropping my emed platform into the floor. What are the technical specifications for the emed-X, emed-AT, and emed-M systems? A: The following documents will provide you with technical specifications on the emed-X, emed-AT and emed-M platforms:
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Q: In the emed-x Highspeed/Highscan software, how do I change the sampling speed, the sampling area, and the synchronization options? A: Select the menu option Options | Measurement properties.... On the Configuration list window, click the New button and then the Edit button. On the first tab, Platform, the sensor resolution, sampling speed, and the sampling area of the platform can be adjusted. On the second tab, Synchronization, the synchronization options for the input and output pulses and the platform's LED light performance can be adjusted. ___________________________ Q: The patient stepped on the platform with two full steps or stepped on the platform with one full step and a half of a step. How do I separate the two steps or remove the unwanted half step? A: Starting in the emed version 13 software, the upper level software versions have the option to separate or remove steps from the pressure picture. First you must select the drawing tool Select step free line (15th icon from the left which looks like a small blue step with a yellow circle) or Select step rectangle line (16th icon from the left which looks like a small blue step with a yellow rectangle). After selecting the drawing tool, left click and hold and drag across the area(s) that you want to keep. To save the area(s) that you selected click and save them in a single file, click the Extract selected areas as a single step icon (17th icon from the left which looks like an arrow icon). If you would like to separate two or more steps within one measurement, select the both of the separate step areas using the drawing tools and then select the Extract selected areas as different steps icon. The files will be saved as .KOR files with the name of the original file plus the words "step 1", "step 2", etc. depending on how many files the original file is separated. ___________________________
Q: How often do the insoles need to be recalibrated? How will I know when the insoles need to be recalibrated? A: The insole calibrations should be checked at least every three months (depending on usage). To check the calibration, place the insoles in the trublu calibration device, load the insoles through the load values up to 6 Bar. Check that the values that are displayed in the software with the values that appear on the monometer. If the values match within 5%, the calibration is okay. If the values differ by more than 5%, recalibration of the sensors should be done. ___________________________ Q: With the pedar-x, Bluetooth has problems establishing a connection. A: A Bluetooth connection may fail for several purposes. If the wrong COM port is entered into the Data Acquisition | Test connection window, the connection will not be established. Please check the outgoing port listed by right clicking the Bluetooth icon in the Windows system tray, selecting the COM port tab, and making note of the outgoing COM port listed for pedar-x. Select this COM port in the Data Acquisition | Test connection window from the pedar online measurement window. Windows occasionally drops the Outgoing connection (the connection used by the novel pedar software). Right click the Bluetooth icon in the Windows system tray and select Show Bluetooth Connections. Select the pedar connection and click the Remove button. After the pedar connection has been removed, select the Add button to re-establish connection (for details review the pedar-x manual on establishing Bluetooth connections). The Bluetooth connection may fail because the middle dip switch on the back of the pedar-x analyzer is in the fiber optic cable measurement position (down position). With the analyzer turned off, switch the dipswitch in the up (Bluetooth position), switch the analyzer on, wait approximately 30 seconds, test connection in the pedar online measurement software with the Outgoing COM port number listed in the Bluetooth software. ___________________________ Q: I am receiving dropped frames during collection. How can I improve the Bluetooth connection between my pedar analyzer and my Bluetooth dongle? A: To improve the signal transmission between the pedar analyzer and the Bluetooth dongle, check the Bluetooth Options by right clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the Windows system tray and selecting Settings. Ensure that the “allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer” and “allow Bluetooth device to connect to this computer” is unchecked. Also, ensure that there is a clear path (no visible obstructions between the Bluetooth dongle and the pedar analyzer antenna). A USB extension cable (up to 5 meters) can be used in conjunction with the Bluetooth dongle to allow the Bluetooth dongle to be placed on a tri-pod or other pole to position the Bluetooth dongle in an unobstructed view with the pedar analyzer. You may also be receiving interference from wireless networks in the area. If possible, diable the wireless network card within the computer during data collection. ___________________________ Q: Only the bottom half the insole sensors are appearing (working) when I try a data collection or calibration. The rest of the insole sensors show as time outs (TO). A: Check if the insole connector is inserted into the insole cable connector correctly. The R on the right insole connector must line up on the same side as the R on the right insole cable connector and the L on the left insole connector must line up on the same side as the L on the left insole cable connector. ___________________________ Q: How do I increase the sampling rate above the maximum sampling rate of 100 Hz for both insoles (198 sensors) with the pedar-x. A: The maximum sampling rate for the pedar analyzer is 20,000 sensors per second. If the number of sensors collected from is reduced, the sampling rate can be increased. To increase the maximum sampling rate, the number of sensors collected from must be reduced. To increase the maximum sampling rate, select the insole configuration from the insole configuration dropdown menu Select Data Acquisition | Define sensors to be scanned. Delete all the masks present (4th icon from the right). Select one of the four masks immediately to the left of the insole graphic. Select the Rectangle drawing tool. Left click and hold to the left and above the sensors that you would like to include. Multiple areas can be selected simply by lifting up off the left mouse button and left clicking and holding to the left of the next sensor area. After selecting the sensors to be included, click the Save masks button (2nd button from the left) to save the mask and click the Download all masks button (2nd button from the right). Save the new configuration (.mfg). After saving, a small window will appear that allows adjustment of the sampling rate. Select the sampling rate and click Download button. Unload each insole when prompted and click the red record button (5th from the left). ___________________________ Q: The settings that I select from the menu on the pedar-x online measurement screen (e.g. COM port settings, Automatic scale on graphs, Error code settings, MVP options, etc.) are not saved when I exit from and reopen the software. A: After selecting the desired measurement and display options, before exiting the software, select File | Exit with storing changes. The settings will be saved, and you will not be required to select the changes the next time you open the program. ___________________________ Q: Could you explain choices for the Mean Value Picture (MVP) under the Options menu. A: There are three options for the MVP calculation: over all frames, only over loaded frames, and only over loaded sensors.
Although most users select the last option, Over loaded sensors, each mean pressure picture option should be considered before using these pictures for review. If you have any further questions regarding these options or which option you should use, please contact novel. ___________________________ Q: I am concerned that the pedar-x analyzer will go out of range of the Bluetooth dongle attached to the PC. Can anything be done to ensure that I do not miss data during data collection? A: To ensure that you do not miss data during data collection, you can select to collect both to the Flash memory on the analyzer and to the PC memory. Select Data Acquisition | Mode | Online+Flash. After selecting this option, select an Insole configuration from the drop down box on the pliance-x Online Measurement screen. Select Data Acquisition | Flash | Configure flash. This will download the configuration file selected from the Insole configuration drop down menu to the memory of the analyzer. Note: this will erase any measurements in the analyzer’s flash memory. Please download any desired measurements that were collected before erasing the memory. If the analyzer should go out of range of the Bluetooth dongle attached to the computer, you can download the data measurement file(s) from the analyzer’s memory. Select Flash memory | Flash memory | Download from flash. Select the measurement that the analyzer went out of range and select download. Save this file in place of the file that you experienced missing frames of data. ___________________________
Q: How often do the sensors need to be recalibrated? How will I know when the sensors need to be recalibrated? A: The sensor calibrations should be checked at least every three months (depending on usage). To check the calibration, place the insoles in the tru-blue calibration device, load the sensor through the load values up to its max pressure. Check that the values that are displayed in the software with the values that appear on the monometer. If the values match within 5%, the calibration is okay. If the values differ by more than 5%, recalibration of the sensors should be done. ___________________________ Q: With the pliance-x, Bluetooth has problems establishing a connection. A: A Bluetooth connection may fail for several purposes. If the wrong COM port is entered into the Data Acquisition > Test connection window, the connection will not be established. Please check the outgoing port listed by right clicking the Bluetooth icon in the Windows system tray, selecting the COM port tab, and making note of the outgoing COM port listed for pedar-x. Select this COM port in the Data Acquisition | Test connection window from the pliance online measurement window. Windows occasionally drops the Outgoing connection (the connection used by the novel pliance software). Right click the Bluetooth icon in the Windows system tray and select Show Bluetooth Connections. Select the pedar connection and click the Remove button. After the pedar connection has been removed, select the Add button to re-establish connection (for details review the pliance-x manual on establishing Bluetooth connections). The Bluetooth connection may fail because the middle dip switch on the back of the pliance-x analyzer is in the fiber optic cable measurement position (down position). With the analyzer turned off, switch the dipswitch in the up (Bluetooth position), switch the analyzer on, wait approximately 30 seconds, test connection in the pedar online measurement software with the Outgoing COM port number listed in the Bluetooth software. ___________________________ Q: I am receiving dropped frames during collection. How can I improve the Bluetooth connection between my pliance-x analyzer and my Bluetooth dongle? A: To improve the signal transmission between the pedar analyzer and the Bluetooth dongle, check the Bluetooth Options by right clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the Windows system tray and selecting Settings. Ensure that the “allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer” and “allow Bluetooth device to connect to this computer” is unchecked. Also, ensure that there is a clear path (no visible obstructions between the Bluetooth dongle and the pliance analyzer antenna). A USB extension cable (up to 5 meters) can be used in conjunction with the Bluetooth dongle to allow the Bluetooth dongle to be placed on a tri-pod or other pole to position the Bluetooth dongle in an unobstructed view with the pliance analyzer. You may also be receiving interference from wireless networks in the area. If possible, disable the wireless network card within the computer during data collection. ___________________________ Q: Only half the sensors are appearing (working) when I try a data collection or calibration. The rest of the sensors show as time outs (TO). A: Check if the pliance connector is inserted into the insole cable connector correctly. The R on the sensor connector must line up on the same side as the R on the sensor cable connector. ___________________________ Q: Can I increase the maximum sampling rate of my measurement? A: The maximum sampling rate for the pliance analyzer is 20,000 sensors per second. To increase the maximum sampling rate, number of sensors collected from must be reduced. To increase sampling rate, select the insole configuration from the insole configuration dropdown menu Select Data Acquisition | Define Sensors to be scanned. Delete all the masks present (4th icon from the right). Select one of the 16 masks immediately to the left of the sensor graphic. Select the Rectangle drawing tool. Left click and hold to the left and above the sensors that you would like to include and dragging the selection box down and to the right. Once finished selecting an area lift up off the left mouse click. Multiple areas can be selected simply by left clicking and holding to the left and above of the next sensor area and highlighted the area with the selection box. After selecting the sensors to be included, click the Save masks button (2nd button from the left) to save the mask and click the Download all masks button (2nd button from the right). Save the new configuration (.mfg). After saving, a small window will appear that allows adjustment of the sampling rate. Select thesampling rate and click Download button. Unload the sensor when prompted and click the red record button (5th from the left). ___________________________ Q: The settings that I select from the menu on the pliance-x online measurement screen (e.g. COM port settings, Automatic scale on graphs, Error code settings, MVP options, etc.) are not saved when I exit from and reopen the software. A: After selecting the desired measurement and display options, before exiting the software, select File --> Exit with storing changes. The settings will be saved, and you will not be required to select the changes the next time you open the program. ___________________________ Q: Could you explain choices for the Mean Value Picture (MVP) under the Options menu. A: There are three options for the MVP calculation: over all frames, only over loaded frames, and only over loaded sensors.
Although most users select the last option, Over loaded sensors, each mean pressure picture option should be considered before using these pictures for review. If you have any further questions regarding these options or which option you should use, please contact novel. ___________________________ Q: I am concerned that the pliance-x analyzer will go out of range of the Bluetooth dongle attached to the PC. Can anything be done to ensure that I do not miss data during data collection? A: To ensure that you do not miss data during data collection, you can select to collect both to the Flash memory on the analyzer and to the PC memory. Select Data Acquisition | Mode | Online+Flash. After selecting this option, select an Insole configuration from the drop down box on the pliance-x Online Measurement screen. Select Data Acquisition | Flash | Configure flash. This will download the configuration file selected from the Insole configuration drop down menu to the memory of the analyzer. Note: this will erase any measurements in the analyzer’s flash memory. Please download any desired measurements that were collected before erasing the memory. If the analyzer should go out of range of the Bluetooth dongle attached to the computer, you can download the data measurement file(s) from the analyzer’s memory. Select Data Acquisition | Flash | Download from flash. Select the measurement that the analyzer went out of range and select download. Save this file in place of the file that you experienced missing frames of data. ___________________________
database, analysis, and reporting Q: After installing the novel database software, the database will not open properly or error messages appear after opening the database. A: Check to see that Firebird database server was installed on the computer. If it was not installed, please uninstall the database, install Firebird, and reinstall the database. If Firebird was installed, check to see that another database server is not interfering with the Firebird server. (Your IT department may have to be consulted.) ___________________________
Q: I do not see a field specific to my study or application. Can I add a custom field to the database to fit my needs? A: With the database medical or database industrial programs, custom fields can be created. Select the fields database icon (fdb) from the top tool bar menu of the database. Follow the instructions in the database medical or database industrial manual to add a custom field. ___________________________ Q: Can I have different projects/reports created for different purposes (i.e. clients, patients, physicians, experiments)? A: Different projects/reports can be created with different calculated parameters, graphics, tables, etc. In the projects software, select the parameters that you would like calculated and the report structure you would like displayed. Next, you select File | Save Project As.... and enter a project tile and click Save. This report will be available to open from the File | Open File menu. ___________________________ creation of any and percent masks Q: Which mask is best used with each of type of data, emed, pedar, pliance? A: Although any of the masks can be used with emed files, the most robust mask to use with emed files is the standard (.std) mask. It is best to create or alter standard masks in the Automask program. Standard masks cannot be used with pedar and pliance files. Although absolute (.msa), relative (.msr), and percent (.msp) masks will work with pedar files, the masks which are easiest to use with pedar files are either the percent or relative mask. With pliance data, the absolute, relative, or percent mask work equally well. ___________________________
Q: Which data files can be used with novel automask and the standard masks (.std) it provides? A: Standard masks can only be applied to emed data files. Please use Absolute (.msa), Relaive (.msr), and percent (.msp) masks with pedar and pliance files. ___________________________ Q: Does which pictures I select to display effect what calculations are performed? A: No, regardless of what pressure pictures are selected to view, all calculations are performed and available for ASCII output. ___________________________ Q: If I select files and run groupmask evaluation through the database, do I need to create a group in Group Editor? A: It is not necessary to create a group in Group Editor when selecting files through the database. Simply select the desired files from the database and select the Groupmask Evaluation program from the Run Application menu. Groupmask evaluation will extract the necessary information from the database. ___________________________
Q: Does which pictures I select to display effect what calculations are performed? A: No, regardless of what pressure pictures are selected to view, all calculations are performed and available for ASCII output. ___________________________ Q: Can I bring in outside data (e.g. EMG, motion, etc.) into the novel player and synchronize this data with the pressure and video data? A: Yes, please select the ASCII data open button and open the file. You will have to manually synchronize the pressure data with the video and pressure data with the video data. See the novel player manual for further information. ___________________________
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