Augmented PCB Debugger (Feedback Requested)

[leymane]

I am currently working on a smartphone app to help locate components on PCBs using visual overlay. This is an improvement over current methods that require the user to manually match the component locator to the board. The primary goal is to help users test and troubleshoot boards faster and easier.

I made a youtube video to demonstrate my concept. Currently looking for feedback on if it would be useful to anyone. Any suggestions for improvements also welcome.

Here is the video:

[ataradov]

Is this ever an issue? In most cases when I'm debugging a PCB, I have stuff in my hands (probes, soldering iron, etc), and holding the phone and messing with the app is the last thing I want to do.

[Fire Doger]

I think it would be more useful if it was a web app and could work with any video feed like from thermal camera and accept common board files like the ones that BoardViewer supports

[oPossum]

https://www.flowcad.com/en/inspectar.htm

[leymane]

Is this ever an issue? In most cases when I'm debugging a PCB, I have stuff in my hands (probes, soldering iron, etc), and holding the phone and messing with the app is the last thing I want to do.

What about hands-free, voice control? Here is a demo:

[xvr]

Interesting idea. But in current form it more suitable for octopus, not human  And using phone as display is not convenient - we are only humans, not chameleons, and can't see in 2 (or even more) different directions simultaneously. 

[Alex Eisenhut]

Interesting idea. But in current form it more suitable for octopus, not human  And using phone as display is not convenient - we are only humans, not chameleons, and can't see in 2 (or even more) different directions simultaneously. 

[ajb]

It is definitely a cool project! But I agree with others that it would be more useful on a computer, which has the added benefit of being able to use a better (or at least more suitable) camera.  What could be really cool is getting this sort of overlay in a microscope view, with the system keeping track of where the microscope FOV is on the PCB.  I guess that would need a second larger FOV camera to track the board, but it could be very helpful when working at higher magnifications on a relatively dense board, where it can be hard to keep your bearings.