Notes

1.1. Motivation
In recent years, the use of mobile applications has penetrated to our daily lives deeply as we rely them for several different purposes in our smartphones. To name a few, for communications, we uses messaging applications including Whatsapp, Skype and Wechat. For entertainments, we also have media applications such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and 9GAG, and mobile games like Angry Birds, Temple Run and Candy Crush. While for transactions, we utilize Amazons, Paypal and many mobile banking systems. From these well-known examples, it is undeniable that developing mobile applications is now a current tread. Traditionally, we are only available to use websites to check for the details of the product, Due to the high portability of smartphones, mobile applications are extremely convenient for us to use outside. Thus, owing to the high potentials of mobile application in the market, I would like to develop a mobile application which aims to improve people’s quality of living for my final year project.
1.2. Background information
 
2. Problem statement, project objectives & scope
2.1. Problem statement
Once we walk into the supermarkets or stores to shop for goods, we may encounter some common problems which are quite time-consuming to solve.
For example, when we want to buy a product without any known brand on the shelves, we may feel confused about which brands of products to buy as there are too many choices available. As a result, we may need to compare each brand of products one by one before making our purchase. However, time is money for most of the Hong Kong citizens, we have many other more important things to do, and so, we have limited time for consideration. Moreover, people who demand for special requirements on their meals, especially those people who are dieting or suffering from food allergies, need to spend extra time in reading and analyzing nutrition values, origins or ingredients from the labels on the products. While they are making comparisons, it requires much of their memorizations and time to remember those information shown on products.
On the other hand, owing to the differences in selling prices of products sold in different shops, some of the consumers would like to spend their time in comparing the selling prices between different locations, so that they can make the most economical purchase in order to save more money. Especially for those housewives, they are willing to walk around all of the nearby available stores to search for products that are sold in lower prices. However, in another words, the whole process is not economical in terms of time cost.
2.2. Project objectives
Collect items’ information through crowdsourcing - The source of the data in the database of the project would be inputted by the users themshelves. They can selectively provide products information including the brand names, product names, energy values, nutrients (values about carbohydrates, proteins, sugars, total fact, cholesterols, etc.), ingredients, origins and volume or weight. They can also upload photos for the products so that it would be easier for the viewers to identify the specific items.
Help to identify differences between selected product - Developing a mobile application which can clearly specify the differences between each brand of products can help to save the user’s precious time and improve the quality of life. It would be nice if there is a mobile application which can help them to record down all the updated selling prices in different locations. Thereafter, they do not need to spend extra time in collecting information about the product prices.
Provide updated products’ prices and location -
When the user is deciding on which brands of food to buy from, he/she can input the keywords, like the type of the food, the corresponding category or even the ingredients, to search for a list of available food that suit the demands. What can be obtained from Food Magnifier is the detailed information about the food products including the names, brands, energy values, nutrients (values about carbohydrates, proteins, sugars, total fact, cholesterols, etc.), ingredients, origins and volume or weight from the database. Moreover, it allows the users to rate and comment on the food products which may also help us to shorten the time for decisions. On the other hand, the users can be one of the contributors to the application because they can add the data of the food products into the database. The reliability of their data will be judged by the number of views or likes, and also the background status of the authors. Upon their submissions of information, they will be awarded with rewards points which can be used for exchanging coupons or earning discounts in the shop.

Browse the detailed information of the items
Submit item information
Search available items
Register membership -
Like, comment and share items -
Compare products’ details


2.3. Project scope

3. Major technical components
By using cross-platform development tools, PhoneGap and Ionic, both Android and iOS users can enjoy the services provided from the application without spending extra time in developing different versions. The sever side computer would be
3.1. Hardware configuration
Mobile devices Google Nexus 5, Apple iPad Mini
Computer Dell Optiplex 9010, Apple Macbook Air
Tool Barcode Scanner

3.2. Software configuration
Operating System Windows 7, iOS 8
Database MySQL 5.6.16
Database administration phpMyAdmin
Web server Apache 2.4.9
Web browser Google Chrome 37.0.2062.120 m
Software XAMPP Control Panel v3.2.1, Node.js
Framework PhoneGap, Ionic, Bootstrap
Language HTML5, Angularjs, PHP, JSON



4. Expected results & deliverables

5. Project schedule
5.1. Schedule
Start date End date Duration
1. Research
2. Prepare Project Plan 22/09/2014
3. Set up requirements
4. Design infrustrusture
5. System implementation
6. Prepare Interim Report I 03/11/2014
7. Prepare Interim Report II 09/02/2015
8. System testing and evaluation
9. Prepare demonstration
10. Prepare Final Report 13/04/2015
5.2. Gantt Chart

6. Reference
http://nutritiondata.self.com/
http://www.calorieking.com/foods/