User Guide
The complex part happens
behind the scenes.
What's In The Box
- The PhysioCam Camera Cube
- The PhysioCam Glowing Cube
- PhysioCam Camera Cube Power Supply
- PhysioCam Glowing Cube Power Supply
- Heart Rate Armband
- Heart Rate Armband USB Charger
- Heart Rate Armband Replacement Band
Powering the PhysioCam
To power the PhysioCam Camera Cube:
Using the black power supply included in your PhysioCam box, connect the round “barrel connector” to the matching, silver power socket in the back of the PhysioCam Camera Cube (lower right corner). Connect the other end of the power supply to a nearby wall outlet. A blue light on the power supply will indicate that it is receiving power from the wall outlet. A green light within the PhysioCam Camera Cube will indicate that it is receiving power from the power supply.
To power the PhysioCam Glowing Cube:
The PhysioCam Glowing Cube is equipped with a rechargeable battery, and can be used while connected and disconnected from its power supply. To charge the PhysioCam Glowing Cube, use the white power supply included in your PhysioCam box, connecting the round “barrel connector” to the matching power socket on the bottom of the PhysioCam Glowing Cube. This power socket on the PhysioCam Glowing Cube is protected by an orange, rubber tab. Pulling on the loose end of this tab will expose the power socket for charging.
To check the battery level of the PhysioCam Glowing Cube, turn on the Glowing Cube by pressing the circular, orange button on the bottom of the cube. The cube should immediately emit one of three colors to indicate the power level of the Glowing Cube battery: green (battery full), yellow (battery partially discharged), or red (battery depleted; connect to power).
To power the Heart Rate Armband:
The Heart Rate Armband is also equipped with a rechargeable battery, however unlike the PhysioCam Glowing Cube, it cannot be used while charging. To charge the Heart Rate Armband, connect the included Heart Rate Armband charger by clipping it to the bottom surface of the Heart Rate Armband “dial” (opposite the gray rubber button). Be sure to align the two silver leads on the charger clip with the matching silver pads on the back of the Heart Rate Armband. Once the clip is connected to the Heart Rate Armband, connect the charger to a USB port capable of providing power.
The Camera Cube
Regardless of the mode in which you use the PhysioCam, the Camera Cube serves as the “brain” of the PhysioCam system. Before your first use, please identify the following features on the Camera Cube:
Camera Lens
Located on the front of the Camera Cube, you will find the camera lens: a small, circular dial. When using the PhysioCam in Camera Mode, this lens should be pointed directly at your client.
Power Button
Located on the side of the Camera Cube is a pair of stacked, white buttons. The lower of these buttons is the power button, used to turn the PhysioCam on and off when connected to power. To power on the Camera Cube, tap this button once and watch for it to illuminate. To power off the Camera Cube, hold down this button until its light turns off.
Start Button
In the pair of white buttons on the side of the Camera Cube, the upper button is the start button, used for a number of functions. Most significantly, this button is used to start and stop an active session. After the PhysioCam has completed its internet connection process (see Connecting to WiFi), this button should not be illuminated. To start a session, tap this button, turning on its light. To stop a session, tap this button again, turning off the light.
Air Vents
The Camera Cube features two air vents, each in the shape of the Televagal logo: one at the top of the cube and one at the back of the cube. For proper performance, please ensure that these air vents remain unobstructed during PhysioCam use.
Tripod Mount
On the bottom of the Camera Cube, a standard 1/4-inch attachment mechanism for threaded tripods is available. This is an excellent way to position your Camera Cube at eye-level during a session.
Power Socket
In the back of the Camera Cube, a round, silver power socket is available for connecting the provided black power supply via the matching “barrel connector”.
The Glowing Cube
Through the PhysioCam Glowing Cube, the nervous system is represented in vivid color. Regardless of the mode in which you use the PhysioCam, the Glowing Cube will indicate detected changes in the nervous system. Before your first use, please identify the following features on the Glowing Cube:
Power Button
On the bottom of the Glowing Cube, two areas of orange rubber are visible: one circular button and one oblong pull-tab. The circular button is the Glowing Cube power button. By pushing the button through the orange cover, an audible “click” indicates a registered button press. Pressing this button will toggle the power state of the Glowing Cube.
Charging Port
The second orange feature on the bottom of the Glowing Cube is an oblong pull-tab covering the Glowing Cube charging port. This charging port is a round “barrel connector” used to connect the matching plug on the white Glowing Cube power supply. This pull-tab is attached to the Glowing Cube on one side, and is pulled open from the other. When this pull-tab is completely closed, it should be flush with the surrounding white plastic.
The Heart Rate Armband
For situations in which environmental lighting is not adequate or significant movement is required, a Heart Rate Armband is provided as an experimental, alternative data source. Replacing the camera in the PhysioCam pipeline, the Armband measures intervals of time between peaks in a cardiac pulse wave and transmits these intervals over Bluetooth to the PhysioCam Camera Cube. Before your first use, please identify the following features on the Heart Rate Armband:
Power Button
On the “dial” of the Heart Rate Armband, a single button and LED light indicator allow the user to interface with the Heart Rate Armband. By holding the button until the LED indicator begins to flash red and blue, the user can power on the Armband and begin Bluetooth connection. If the Armband is already powered on, holding the button until the LED indicator turns solid red will turn off the Armband.
Sensor
On the bottom of the Heart Rate Armband, a set of sensors allow the Armband to collect cardiac pulse data from the wearer. For proper performance, please ensure that these sensors remain unobstructed during use.
Connecting to WiFi
While the PhysioCam can be used in “offline” mode, keeping your device connected to your WiFi network is encouraged. By maintaining internet connectivity, your PhysioCam will be available to receive automatic software updates and live maintenance upon request.
To connect your PhysioCam to a WiFi network for the first time:
- Power On Your PhysioCam – Using the Power Button on the side of your PhysioCam Camera Cube, press to power on your device.
- Wait for the Start Button to Flash – After a few moments, the Start Button (above the Power Button) should begin to flash steadily. When you see this flash, your PhysioCam is attempting to connect to WiFi. A PhysioCam session cannot be started until this flashing has stopped.
- Look for Your PhysioCam Network – To access the web page for saving your network credentials to your PhysioCam, you must first connect to the WiFi network created by your PhysioCam. On a computer or mobile device, search and connect to the network named on the bottom of the insert included in your PhysioCam box.
- Provide Home Network Credentials – When your computer or mobile device has connected to your PhysioCam’s network, access the My PhysioCam portal using the web address https://10.42.0.1:5000 or by scanning the QR code labeled Connecting to WiFi on the insert included in your PhysioCam box. Using the navigation bar at the top of the web page or the drop-down navigation menu (on mobile), open the Network page. Using the provided fields, enter the name and password of your home network and submit with the button below. You will be redirected to the My PhysioCam portal home page with a confirmation message. If the provided credentials are invalid or cannot be associated with a network in range, the PhysioCam will restart and you may attempt the connection process again.
- Wait for Button Flash to Stop – If your provided network credentials are accepted, a valid network is accessible using previously saved credentials, or fewer than 28 days have passed since your device was last connected to the internet, the Start Button on your Camera Cube will stop flashing. You are now able to begin your first session!
After you have connected your PhysioCam to your WiFi network for the first time, the PhysioCam will remember your home network credentials and attempt to automatically connect in the future.
If your PhysioCam is able to find your saved home WiFi network, the Start Button will briefly flash to indicate WiFi connection, then stop on its own.
If the PhysioCam is not able to find your saved home WiFi network, but you have connected your PhysioCam to the internet within the last 28 days, the Start Button will briefly flash to indicate WiFi connection, then stop on its own.
If the PhysioCam is not able to find your saved home WiFi network and you have not connected your PhysioCam to the internet within the last 28 days, the Start Button will flash until a new network has been connected using the steps listed above.
Starting a Session: Camera Mode
Positioning the PhysioCam
Before starting a session with the PhysioCam in Camera Mode, ensure proper setup by examining the positioning of your devices. For best performance, position the PhysioCam Camera Cube with the camera lens pointed directly at your client. The Camera Cube should be situated between 5 and 10 feet from your client. Positioning the PhysioCam at your client’s eye level is recommended. If a surface at this height is not readily available, support for a tripod stand is included. Please ensure your client is positioned accordingly before proceeding.
Powering On the Glowing Cube
Once your session is initiated, the Camera Cube will first attempt to search for — and connect to — its Glowing Cube companion. For a quick connection, powering on your Glowing Cube with the circular, orange button on its bottom surface prior to the start of the session is recommended.
Starting a Session
Once your PhysioCam has completed its initial WiFi connection process, the Camera Cube Start Button will have ceased flashing. Pressing the Start Button at this time will begin a new PhysioCam session, illuminating the Start Button. The Camera Cube will connect to the Glowing Cube at this time.
Automatic Camera Configuration and Face Detection
While no action is needed from the user at this time, the PhysioCam will proceed to evaluate its environment and make a series of adjustments to provide more accurate measurements during your session. Included in these adjustments are automatic exposure changes and color correction. Additionally, a face scanner will confirm that a face is detected in the camera’s field-of-view before allowing the session to continue to data collection.
Initial Data Collection and Baseline Calculation
Once the Camera Cube has completed its configurations and checks, initial cardiac pulse data and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) calculations will be compiled to create a baseline for your client. The Glowing Cube will glow solid yellow during this time. This process should last between 60 and 90 seconds. Please feel free to begin conversing with your client in this time.
Color Changes
After RSA baseline calculations are complete, the Glowing Cube will begin to change with respect to your client’s instantaneous measured RSA relative to their baseline. The Glowing Cube displays colors on a continuous “traffic light” spectrum: from green, to yellow, to red, and all color combinations between.
If a client’s instantaneous RSA is significantly higher than their measured baseline, the Glowing Cube will move on the color spectrum towards green.
If a client’s instantaneous RSA is significantly lower than their measured baseline, the Glowing Cube will move on the color spectrum towards red.
If a client’s instantaneous RSA is not significantly higher or lower than their measured baseline, the Glowing Cube will gradually move on the color spectrum back to yellow as the baseline dynamically changes to approach the client’s instantaneous RSA.
Ending a Session
A session can be ended at any time by pressing the Camera Cube Start Button until its light turns off. At this time, the light from the Glowing Cube should also automatically turn off, however the Glowing Cube will still be powered on until its power button is pressed.
Starting a Session: Armband Mode
Powering On the Glowing Cube
Once your session is initiated, the Camera Cube will first attempt to search for — and connect to — its Glowing Cube companion. For a quick connection, powering on your Glowing Cube with the circular, orange button on its bottom surface prior to the start of the session is recommended.
Powering On the Armband
Once your session is initiated, the Camera Cube will also attempt to scan for an available Armband connection. To make the Armband available to the Camera Cube, hold down the single button on the “dial” of the armband until the LED indicator begins to flash red and blue. Once the Armband is connected to the Camera Cube, the LED indicator will flash only blue.
If the Armband is detected at the same time as a Glowing Cube or before, the Camera Cube will proceed in Armband Mode. If no Armband is available to the Camera Cube within 10 seconds of a connection to a Glowing Cube, the PhysioCam will proceed in Camera Mode.
Initial Data Collection and Baseline Calculation
Once the Camera Cube has completed its configurations and checks, initial cardiac pulse data and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) calculations will be compiled to create a baseline for your client. The Glowing Cube will glow solid yellow during this time. This process should last between 60 and 90 seconds. Please feel free to begin conversing with your client in this time.
Color Changes
After RSA baseline calculations are complete, the Glowing Cube will begin to change with respect to your client’s instantaneous measured RSA relative to their baseline. The Glowing Cube displays colors on a continuous “traffic light” spectrum: from green, to yellow, to red, and all color combinations between.
If a client’s instantaneous RSA is significantly higher than their measured baseline, the Glowing Cube will move on the color spectrum towards green.
If a client’s instantaneous RSA is significantly lower than their measured baseline, the Glowing Cube will move on the color spectrum towards red.
If a client’s instantaneous RSA is not significantly higher or lower than their measured baseline, the Glowing Cube will gradually move on the color spectrum back to yellow as the baseline dynamically changes to approach the client’s instantaneous RSA.
Ending a Session
A session can be ended at any time by pressing the Camera Cube Start Button until its light turns off. At this time, the light from the Glowing Cube should also automatically turn off, however the Glowing Cube will still be powered on until its power button is pressed. Similarly, the Armband may continue to flash after a session has been ended and must be powered off by holding down the single button on its “dial” until the LED indicator briefly flashes red, then turns off.
Tips and Troubleshooting
How will I know if my PhysioCam is collecting bad data?
If your PhysioCam believes the data it is collecting through the camera or armband may yield inaccurate results, the data will be disregarded and the Glowing Cube will gradually decrease its brightness until valid data continues to flow. If for any reason the data flow is decided to be unrecoverable, the PhysioCam Start Button will blink rapidly for 15 seconds, then automatically end the session.
What if my PhysioCam is exhibiting unexpected behaviors?
If your PhysioCam is acting inconsistently with the behaviors described in this user guide, our first recommended step is to manually restart your device by holding down the Camera Cube Power Button. If the problem persists, please confirm that all auxiliary devices are sufficiently charged. At any point, please feel free to contact the Televagal Support Team at support@televagal.com